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Innovative Technologies for Remote Collection of Data for the National Children's Study; Notice: Request for Information
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: January 14, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 9)]
[Notices]
[Page 1849-1850]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14ja03-57]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7438-9]
Innovative Technologies for Remote Collection of Data for the
National Children's Study; Notice: Request for Information
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice; request for information for Innovative Technologies for
Remote Collection of Data for the National Children's Study.
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SUMMARY: This request for information from the National Center for
Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development for
Innovative Technologies for Remote Collection of Data for the National
Children's Study is for state-of-the-art technology (currently
available and those possible in the future) to enhance data collection
for this longitudinal study currently being planned by a coalition of
federal agencies. This request for information (RFI) is intended
strictly for market research purposes and may not lead to a
solicitation or contract.
The National Children's Study (NCS) is a large long-term study of
environmental influences on children's health and development. This
study will explore a broad range of environmental factors, both helpful
and harmful, that influence the health and well-being of children. For
this study, environment is broadly defined to include chemical,
physical, social, and behavioral influences on children, and to better
understand the role of these factors on health and disease. More
information on the NCS is available at
http://www.NationalChildrensStudy.gov. 
In initial discussions, the NCS Technology Group, consisting of
technology experts within the federal government, has highlighted the
utility of remote collection of data for longitudinal studies.
Approaches identified include the use of Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA), wireless technology, the Internet, and other technologies
currently in development for collection of data between in-person
visits/appointments. The three major areas discussed include: (1)
Collection of questionnaire data (e.g., diaries, symptom check lists,
information on doctor's visits, and medications); (2) measurement and
transmittal of environmental measurements (e.g., devices that measure
indoor or outdoor air quality, store the data over time, and transmit
it to a central data location either by phone hook-up or wireless
technology; devices used that collect samples, e.g., dust or volatile
organic compounds that can be sent to laboratories for analysis; and
Global Positional System (GPS) devices that would transmit location for
use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses); and (3)
measurement and transmittal of health/biological measurements such as
physiological measures (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, and weight).
The information provided as a response to this RFI will be included
with background material in a meeting being planned to discuss these
issues. Presentations and discussions during this workshop will
identify the most promising and urgent of the above issues, identify
existing technology that could be used or adapted for use, along with a
discussion of security and confidentiality. For example, regardless of
the study design, use of remote technologies for collection of
questionnaire data will be a data collection method implemented from
the beginning of the study. Other items will be ranked by urgency and
amount of lead time needed for development. Part of this exercise would
be the identification of pros and cons of the proposed technology.
The government is also seeking information from hardware and
software
[[Page 1850]]
vendors to ensure that all available commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)
products that provide capabilities applicable to the NCS have been
identified. All manufacturers and suppliers of appropriate technology
that could be applied to support the NCS are offered this opportunity
to describe how the government can best employ their products to meet
the NCS mission needs.
In addition to currently available products, the government wants
to understand the capabilities of leading-edge products currently under
development that will be available by mid Fiscal Year 2004. The
information submitted will be used to assist the government in the
continuing development of its NCS implementation strategy.
This RFI is the first of several steps to solicit input and
interest from the vendor community and to promote competition in
response to needed technology for the NCS. We expect to issue other
RFIs as planning evolves.
DATES: Information should be submitted via website not later than
January 31, 2003, to http://www.NationalChildrensStudy.gov.
Responses submitted after this date will not be accepted. The government
will not request additional information or discuss submissions received
in response to this RFI with individual responders.
ADDRESSES: Submit responses to NCS.Technology@epa.gov (http://www.
NationalChildrensStudy.gov). Responses are limited to a total
of 20 pages, and in WordPerfect or Microsoft Word. Page size must be
8.5 x 11'', font must be 12 point or larger, and margins must be at
least 1 inch. Briefly describe your product, the company that produces
it, and the company's other products, services, history, ownership, and
information you deem relevant. Provide points of contact for the
product, including name, address (also include web address, if
available), phone/fax number, and email address. Discuss technical
feasibility alternatives and provide nonbinding order-of-magnitude cost
and estimates of developmental time for the alternatives. Hardware and
software vendors should submit a concept paper describing how the
product could meet potential NCS needs. Indicate whether your product
is commercially available or is on the General Services Administration
Federal Supply Schedule. Supplemental product brochures or marketing
materials outlining specifications and capabilities also may be
submitted, and will not be counted in the overall page count limits.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, please
contact Sherry G. Selevan, Ph.D.; mailing address: National Center for
Environmental Assessment-Washington (8623D), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460; telephone: 202-564-3312;
facsimile: 202-565-0078; e-mail: selevan.sherry@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Disclaimer
This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and
does not constitute a solicitation. The government does not intend to
award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for
information received in response to this RFI. Responses to the RFI will
not be returned, and because they will be available for background
material for a workshop, submission will not be treated as proprietary.
Information provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess
tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in
the planning process for the NCS and may lead to the development of a
specification for the NCS. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses
to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the government to
form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all
expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
Dated: January 3, 2003.
George Alapas,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 03-735 Filed 1-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P