Public Information and Communication
Libraries Encouraged to Apply for AIDS Information Grants 05/04/96
AIDS Information Outreach Projects 1996
On May 9, 1994 and March 20, 1995, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) issued Request for Quotations (RFQ) for AIDS Outreach. The purpose of these projects was to improve access to HIV/AIDS-related information by patients, the affected community, and their care givers. As a result of these RFQs, thirty-five organizations (19 in the first year and 16 in the second year) were awarded purchase orders of $25,000 or less.
The primary purpose of these outreach projects is to design local programs for improving information access for patients and the affected community as well as their care givers. Emphasis is on providing information or access to information in a way meaningful to the target community.
Projects must involve one or more of the following information access categories:
1. Information Retrieval: To provide or improve access to electronic AIDS- and other health-related information resources by the organization or by the clients they serve in. This may require the purchase of computer equipment or other types of electronic equipment. This may also include the equipment necessary to communicate electronically with currently available resources.
2. Skills Development: Training to develop skills in accessing or using HIV/AIDS-related information including using online databases and general AIDS information resources in order to improve services and benefits to the community. This may include training for the staff of the agency, development of training programs for clients and patrons, training programs for other agencies, etc.
3. State-of-the-Art Resources: To implement access to state-of-the-art AIDS-related information tools by the organization and its clients via the Internet. This may require the purchase of hardware, software, or contractual relationships necessary to obtain a connection to the Internet for the purpose of accessing AIDS-related information or of sharing AIDS-related information.
4. Resource Development: To support an organization to meet the needs of their clients or communities by developing specific educational or informational materials such as culturally or language specific bibliographies or guides.
5. Document Access: Access to HIV/AIDS-related documents and other types of materials. e.g., Development of connections with local health sciences libraries to obtain use of their collections, to procure interlibrary loan services, etc.
NLM is particularly interested in involving the affected community in the development of these new programs. Based upon the recommendations from the Conference, emphasis will be placed upon the following types of organizations or arrangements for developing these programs.
1. Community-based organizations (CBO) or patient advocacy groups currently providing AIDS-related services to the affected community. This encompasses both individual groups wishing to enhance their own services, as well as several cooperating for the purpose of this project.
2. Public Libraries wishing to serve their communities in the provision
of AIDS-related information and resources.
3. Multi-type consortia of the above listed organizations that may be in existence or formed specifically
for this project. This consortium should include at least one of the groups listed above in the management of
the project, but may include other types of agencies, such as health sciences libraries, that may be able to
provide expertise and resources for the project.
Many of the projects which started in 1994 have been completed, while a substantial amount of progress has
been made on those which began in 1995. Many of these projects have been successful in enhancing access to
AIDS-related information and in establishing partnerships within their communities. To take advantage of what
has been learned from these early projects and to build upon relationships and networks which have been developed,
NLM is expanding this AIDS outreach program. The 1996 program will include support for the expansion or extension
of existing programs or projects. Therefore, applications will be accepted for four distinct categories of proposals:
- Category 1: Single Organization/Agency - New Project
- Category 2: Consortium/Multiple Organizations - New Project
- Category 3: Single Organizations/Agency - Extension or Expansion of NLM-Funded Project
- Category 4: Consortium/Multiple Organizations - Extension or Expansion of NLM-Funded Project
Each category will be evaluated separately. NLM anticipates making multiple awards in each category, depending upon the number and quality of proposals received.
- Category 1: 5-10 awards
- Category 2: 5-10 awards
- Category 3: 1-4 awards
- Category 4: 1-4 awards
Awards in Categories 1 and 3 will have a maximum value of $25,000; awards in Categories 2 and 4 will have a maximum value of $35,000.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
The period of performance of this purchase order shall be up to eighteen (18) months from the date the project begins. Awards will be made by September 30, 1996.
Copies of the above items shall be addressed and delivered to the following individuals in the quantities specified below:
2-Project Officer, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Building 38A, Bethesda, MD 20894
1-Valerie M. Syed, Contracting Officer, Representative, Office of Acquisitions Management, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Building 38A, Room B1N17, Bethesda, MD 20894
FOR INFORMATION CALL: (No collect calls) Valerie M. Syed, (301) 496-6546, VALERIE@NLM.NIH.GOV
REQUEST NO. RFQ NLM 96-034/VMS ISSUED 06/06/96
Click here to access the full text of the RFQ.
http://gopher.nlm.nih.gov:70/1/acquisitions/rfqs/96-034-vms
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