NQF Calls for Nominations to Panels

The National Quality Forum (NQF) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on selection panels that will review proposals and select subcontractors to complete work under NQF's contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

BACKGROUND: On January 14, 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a contract to NQF to establish a portfolio of quality and efficiency measures that will allow the Federal Government to examine how and whether healthcare spending is achieving the best results for patients and taxpayers. This contract is part of a provision in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 that directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services "to contract with a consensus–based entity, such as the National Quality Forum." The contract provides up to $10 million to NQF annually through 2012. NQF intends to subcontract some of this work to meet its contractual requirements to DHHS.

Potential subcontracting tasks may include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Evaluating the impact of NQF endorsed measures on the healthcare community;
• Performing a systematic review and synthesis of evidence relating to 20 high-priority conditions identified by CMS;
• Performing a full Environmental Scan of all available performance measures and measures in the development pipeline that relate to a set of 12 cross-cutting measure categories;
• Developing performance measures that fill critical measurement gaps in healthcare; and
• Developing an electronic quality measure format and instructions for technical implementers.

The DHHS Subcontract Selection Panels will be responsible for reviewing submitted proposals for the above NQF activities or others as needed. Individuals should identify the subcontracting task(s) for which they would like to be considered.

TIME COMMITMENT: For each subcontractor selection activity, the DHHS Subcontract Selection Panelists can anticipate approximately 8-10 hours of review time and one conference call to discuss the proposals and select a subcontractor.

CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION: In selecting panelists, it is vital to provide equal, unbiased consideration of each submitted proposal received by NQF, and therefore appointment of individuals to the panel will be based upon the following criteria:

• Familiarity with NQF, its status as a voluntary consensus development body and its projects;
• Familiarity with the national healthcare quality landscape;
• An understanding of current policy issues related to healthcare quality;
• Knowledge of measure development, endorsement, and implementation;
• Experience with government contracts/subcontracts;
• Experience with writing and reviewing proposals;
• Ability to discern "best value" for the government and for NQF;
• Ability to analyze and evaluate proposals based upon a standardized set of criteria that include technical merit and cost; and
• No conflict of interest and a willingness to disclose such conflict if it arises during the evaluation process.

NOTE: Individuals from organizations submitting proposals for an NQF subcontract may not serve on the review panel for that specific subcontract. They may, however, serve on a review panel for an unrelated subcontract provided there are no other conflicts of interest.

MATERIAL TO SUBMIT: Self-nominations are welcome. Third-party nominations must indicate that the individual has been contacted and is willing to serve. To be considered, please send the following information:

• Completed nomination form;
• Letter of interest (self-nominees) or letter of support, highlighting relevant expertise and experience, and identifying the subcontracting task(s) for which they would like to be considered;
• Curriculum vitae and/or list of relevant experience (e.g., publications) up to 20 pages; and
• Completed "Non-Disclosure and Procurement Agreement /Conflict of Interest Certification" form.

Materials should only be submitted via email to nqfrfp2009@qualityforum.org. Please include "Attn: "Nominations" in the subject line of the message

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: All nominations MUST be submitted by 6 pm ET on Monday, May 4, 2009.

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact Larry Gorban at 202-783-1300 or lgorban@qualityforum.org.