CMG Module 4



CMG Module 4

Introduction

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has the mission to the effectiveness, efficiency, safety and quality of health care of all Americans. The various expertise areas of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) include maintaining data on cost and health care, results and information on health care services and medical treatments, making improvements in quality of health care and the special need of certain priority populations. It also provides expertise in areas of treatment options of information and their effectiveness and in the involvement of consumers in health care (www.ahrq.gov). This assignment is focused on providing the cost and pricing treatment of the solicitation contract provided by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

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Discussion

Techniques of Solicitation Process

In order to secure a pricing proposal, buyers have the option of choosing from various methods. The most frequently used method is Sealed Bidding. In this type of bidding, sealed bids are received, held and opened at a specific time in public. The lowest responsible and responsive bidder is awarded with the order. Responsibility refers to the qualifications of the awardee, whereas responsiveness refers to the awardee's ability to meet the deadline of bid. If the bids that are received are not acceptable then it is the duty of the purchasing officer to call for new bids (Anonymous, n.d. a).

This problem led to the introduction of Request for Proposal. In this method, the bids are not publicized and the bid is awarded to the offeror that best meets the evaluation factors of the proposal. Cost becomes the main evaluating factor when the proposal is very technical. There have been some changes in the proposal sending method by federal government. Pre-qualification of suppliers has been introduced to limit the competition and to provide the award to the best ...