RFP for Health Evidence Review Committee HERC

Background
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for research and analysis contractor services to support the Health Evidence Review Commission (HERC).

The HERC reviews clinical effectiveness research and other evidence related to health care services to inform coverage and medically necessary policy under the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). This initiative follows Senate Bill 1508, which prohibits HERC from contracting with a single vendor, necessitating multiple perspectives in their decision-making process.

The goal is to align with OHA's mission of ensuring optimum health care access and eliminating health inequities by 2030.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for evaluating a wide range of research, including peer-reviewed medical literature, drafting reports analyzing research results, presenting findings to HERC and its subcommittees, and consulting on reports to support decisions about health services' safety and effectiveness.

Specific tasks include:
1. Conducting evaluations of health outcomes prioritized for individuals with disabilities.
2. Analyzing subgroups of patients experiencing specific diseases.
3. Delivering reports in an agreed format and providing presentations on findings.
4. Making recommendations regarding internal research practices and communication materials.
5. Completing rapid reviews, background information summaries, and analyses of coverage policies from other health plans.

Period of Performance
The initial contract term is anticipated to be two years, with the possibility of extending up to a cumulative maximum of ten years. The estimated budget for the initial term is $100,000, with a total estimated value of $700,000 over the maximum term.

Place of Performance
The work will primarily be performed in Oregon as part of the Oregon Health Authority's initiatives.

Bidder Requirements
Proposers must employ a licensed physician (MD or DO) for clinical perspectives in evidence reviews. They must also disclose any conflicts of interest as defined by Oregon law and provide funding sources related to their research. Key personnel must reside in the U.S., including a health services researcher with at least five years' experience and a research director with ten years' experience in clinical effectiveness research.