Funding Opportunities 2001 Request for Proposal Outreach Subcontract for Resource Libraries

National Network of Libraries of Medicine
Pacific Northwest Region

Announcement

2001 Request for Proposals -- Outreach Subcontract for Resource Libraries

“…to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by: 1) providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information; and, 2) improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health."

This is the mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM). Outreach to underserved populations and/or populations suffering from poor health status -- and the health care providers, public health workers, librarians and other health intermediaries who serve these communities -- is a key strategy toward this overall mission. The Regional Medical Library for the Pacific Northwest Region of the NN/LM, at the University of Washington, seeks to promote outreach by network members throughout the region. One method of doing so is to make funding available to the major health resource centers of the Pacific Northwest -- the Resource Libraries -- to enable them to meet health information outreach needs in their areas.

The Pacific Northwest Regional Medical Library will award one outreach subcontract to a Resource Library in this region, for an amount up to $35,000, during 2001. Resource Libraries are invited to submit project proposals that will complement and extend the mission of the NN/LM. All applicants should consult Measuring the Difference: Guide to Planning and Evaluating Health Information Outreach in developing their proposals.

We hope that the work carried out through this subcontract will:

• promote awareness and use of the services, resources and products of NLM and the NN/LM, as well as other online health information resources by health professionals and health care consumers
• improve access to health information and information technology for those health professionals and health consumers without adequate access to library and information services;
• identify areas or populations in our region that are in need of improved access to information;
• encourage Resource Libraries to share their expertise and resources with a target population not normally reached;
• strengthen the role of health information and health librarians in the delivery of health care; and,
• develop or support local or regional partnerships, encouraging health information literacy.

Neil Rambo
Associate Director

Issued by:
National Network of Libraries of Medicine
Pacific Northwest Region
University of Washington, Box 357155
Seattle WA 98195-7155

Eligibility:

• The bidder must be an NN/LM PNR Resource Library.

• Funding:
  • The NN/LM PNR will award one Outreach Subcontract for an amount up to $35,000.

• Period of Performance:
  • The period of performance will be for an agreed upon period of time; typically from 18 to 24 months from the date of the award.
    
    
• Submission Instructions:
  • Deadline for submission of proposals is June 15, 2001. In addition to one paper copy, an electronic version of the proposal must be submitted.
  • Proposals will be reviewed by NN/LM PNR staff and selected outside reviewers. The award will be announced in July 2001.

For more information, contact:

Neil Rambo Associate Director, <nrambo@u.washington.edu>
or
Linda Milgrom, Outreach Coordinator, <lmilgrom@u.washington.edu>
Telephone: 206-543-8262, 800-338-7657 (within AK, ID, MT, OR, WA)

Summaries of recent Resource Library projects are available.

Proposal Instructions

1. Cover Sheet -- On a separate page (you may use the attached form) the Cover Sheet should include:

1. Project title
2. Date of submission
3. Name of institution submitting proposal
4. Primary contact person (postal and e-mail addresses, voice and fax telephone numbers)
5. Indication that the library of the proposing institution is an NN/LM PNR Resource Library.

2. Statement of Work
Please address all the categories in the Statement of Work in as much detail as necessary to present the proposed project clearly and completely. Prepare the proposal according to the following outline:

1. A one paragraph summary statement of the proposed project.
   
   
2. Target population: Describe the general population (characteristics, demographics, health issues) and geographic area to be covered by the project. In addition, describe the specific target group (include numbers and types of health care professionals and/or consumers or intermediaries) and estimate how many of these the project expects to reach.
   
   
3. Identification of need: Explain why there is a need for information outreach to the target population. Describe relevant barriers to information access and known information resources that are available. Include any known needs assessments, formal or otherwise, that may be relevant. Indicate any sources of data that may be used to support the needs statements.
   
   
4. Goals/Objectives, Impact and Sustainability: State the overall goals of the project, the planned objectives to accomplish these goals, and the anticipated impact. The goals should relate to the outreach mission of the NN/LM PNR. The objectives and impact should be specific. Include indicators and evidence that impact can be sustained beyond the project completion date.
   
   
5. Approach: Discuss the approach to be used to accomplish the objectives. Describe any relationship to work already in progress, possible problem areas, or unusual circumstances that might be encountered.
   
   
6. Evaluation Plan: Describe a plan for determining whether the project goals and objectives are met. Indicate how the likely impact is to be measured or otherwise assessed.

7. Partnerships: Identify and describe any institutions or organizations that will be partnering in the project and describe the populations they serve, their role and level of participation in this effort. Include descriptions of previous collaborative projects with these organizations. Include name, address, and contact person. (Should include letter of support from cooperating institutions/organizations.)
   
   
8. Personnel and Facilities: Describe the project personnel, including a summary of their qualifications and a description of their responsibilities as they relate to this project. A current curriculum vita for any participating librarians should be attached. Also describe the relevant facilities and resources that will be available to support the project, not just those of the Resource Library but also possible resources from any other project participants or partners.
   
9. Schedule: Provide a timeline and a schedule for the delivery of items specified in the statement of work. The schedule must conform to the Period of Performance.
   
   
10. Other Funding: Provide a statement of any other funding currently received from NLM and/or NN/LM PNR.
    
    

3. Attachments should include:

1. Curriculum vitae of key personnel
2. Letters of support from partnering institution(s)/organization(s)
3. Budget form and narrative budget justification
4. Other relevant information to support the Statement of Work
   
   

4. Budget –

Submit an itemized budget with costs clearly indicated and a justification for each category of expenditure. A brief narrative justification for each category is required and should accompany the budget form. Use the attached Budget Form as a template. The following budget categories may be used:

• salaries,
• benefits,
• equipment,
• supplies,
• travel,
• other costs (e.g., postage, telephones, Internet access, database access, shipping, photocopying/printing, and miscellaneous exhibit or training site costs).
• Total Direct Costs (TDC): the sum of the above
• Modified Total Direct Costs: (MTDC): the TDC minus equipment costs
• Indirect Costs (IDC): is allowable using your institutionally agreed rate; using the MTDC as the base of calculation.
• Total Costs: the sum of TDC and IDC

5. Reporting Requirements:

A.     Quarterly Reports: Description of activities during the reporting period and those planned for the next; should include the following:

·              progress toward major objectives
·              problems encountered and steps taken to resolve them
·              projected activities for next quarter
·              evaluation activities including lessons learned/significant feedback
·              completed Outreach Training/Demonstration Reporting Form for each activity
·              completed Exhibit Report Form for any exhibits done
·              The first quarterly report to be submitted will include the initial outreach database descriptive record. (A template will be provided.)

B.     Outreach database descriptive record: Must be completed and submitted with the first Quarterly Report.

C.     Final Report: Narrative summary of accomplishments; copies of any products or materials developed in conjunction with the project; a project evaluation and recommendations for changes or modifications to future outreach projects. Include any aggregate data gathered (such as number of people trained) and any anecdotal information in appendices. The final report should be sent to the NN/LM PNR office within 15 days after the last day of the performance period.

D.     The NN/LM PNR office will supply required reporting forms and outlines of the expected formats for the quarterly and final reports.

Factors to be Used in Evaluation of Proposals

Proposals will be reviewed by NN/LM PNR staff and selected outside reviewers. Requests for clarification and revision may be asked of proposal writers as determined by the reviewers. Proposals will be forwarded to the National Network Office at the National Library of Medicine for review and comment.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals. These criteria are based on the contents of the Statement of Work. The relative weights assigned the criteria will be used to score proposals.

1. Target Population: The target population is well-defined and is centered on health professionals, consumers, or intermediaries within the defined NN/LM priority populations. There is a clear understanding of population characteristics, demographics, and health status. 10 points
2. Statement of Need: The information needs of the target population, and the barriers as well as available resources, are understood and well described. Evidence of adequate needs assessment. The need is compelling and significant and the statement of need is clear and well justified. 15 points
3. Goals/Objectives, Impact and Sustainability: The goals and objectives follow logically from the target population and the identification of needs. The goals evince a project scope that is ambitious yet feasible. The objectives are specific and clearly indicate what is to be accomplished. The expected impact is related to the needs and goals/objectives. It is significant, well described and demonstrates potential for continuation beyond the project's time span. 20 points
4. Approach: The methods to be used in achieving the goals and objectives are logical, feasible, and clear. They are appropriate to and in scale to the task. Relationship to related work (by proposing institution or others that are known) is well described. 10 points
5. Evaluation Plan: Plans for assessing the impact are logical, feasible, and clear. Adequate description of method(s) to be used, how to be deployed, expected time required, and other relevant factors. 10 points
6. Partnerships: Evidence of cooperative relationship with appropriate entities in planning, conducting, and/or assessing the project. Adequate description of planned partnerships and compelling letters of support. Intent and understanding of roles is clear. 15 points
7. Personnel and Facilities: Adequate evidence of qualified staff and organizational resources to assure likelihood of successful completion of the project. Documentation includes appropriate letters of support and resumes of key personnel. 10 points
8. Budget Plan and Schedule: The budget is reasonable and sufficient to accomplish the project. The budget is complete, clear, and well justified. The timeline and schedule are reasonable and well thought out. 10 points

Cover Sheet Form | Budget Form