The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service’s (CMS) has a requirement for a standard setting organization that meets the requirements of an eligible, consensus-based entity that has the capabilities to complete all duties described in Section 183 of H.R. 6331, The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers (MIPP) Act of 2008 (section 1890 of Part E of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act).



The MIPP Act of 2008 directs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to identify and have a contract with a private, nonprofit, consensus-based entity.



This consensus based entity will synthesize evidence and convene stakeholders to make recommendations on an integrated national strategy and priorities for health care performance measurement in all applicable settings.



The entity will be required to ensure that priority is given to measures that:



1. Address the health care provided to patients with prevalent high-cost chronic diseases;

2. Will result in the greatest potential for improving the quality, efficiency, and patient-centeredness of health care; and

3. May be implemented rapidly due to existing evidence, standards of care or other reasons.



The entity will also be required to take into account measures that:

1. May assist consumers and patients in making informed health care decisions

2. Address health disparities across groups and areas and

3. Address the continuum of care a patient receives, including services furnished by multiple health care providers or practitioners and across multiple settings.



The entity shall provide for the endorsement of standardized health care performance measures and shall establish and implement a process to ensure that measures endorsed are updated, as appropriate. The entity must also prepare and submit an annual report to congress and the Secretary describing the implementation of quality measurement initiatives under the Act and the coordination of such initiatives with quality initiatives implemented by other payers.



In accordance with the legislation, entities proposing on this effort must meet the following criteria which include, but are not limited to:



1. Must be a private nonprofit entity governed by a board

2. The board members must include representatives of health plans and health care providers and practitioners or representatives of groups representing such health plans and health care providers and practitioners.

3. Must have persons who have experience with urban health care issues, safety net health care issues, rural and frontier health care issues and health care quality and safety issues

4. The entity must have a least 4 years experience in establishing national consensus standards.



For additional information access the following Website: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-6331



It is anticipated that a cost reimbursement contract will be awarded with a period of performance of 4 years. CMS and ASPE intend to solicit this requirement as a full and open competition. This announcement is not a request for proposal (RFP). CMS an ASPE anticipate release of Request for Proposal in October 2008. The solicitation will be available on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is anticipated that award of this contract will be made in December 2008.



Points of Contact



Mary M. McGeein

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

200 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 415F

Washington, DC 20201

202-690-7858; Marty.McGeein@hhs.gov



Jaime Galvez

Contracting Officer

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Office of Acquisition and Grants Management

7500 Security Blvd., C2-21-15,

Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

Phone 410-786-5701; Jaime.galvez@cms.hhs.gov Award Notice