AN42--AHBPCE - PDCEN Control Group and Repository

Title: Post-Deployment Cardiopulmonary Evaluation Network Control Group and Repository Purpose: The AHBPCE objective is to procure services from a Research Clinic that has extensive knowledge and expertise in the assessment and management of pulmonary diseases that are due to environmental and occupational exposures. The Contractor shall perform a variety of research activities aligned with VHA s, and AHBPCE s major initiatives, by developing a clinical research study that allows for the collection, storage, and transfer of human cardiopulmonary physiological and related data from human participants for the purposes of serving as a Veteran-relevant control group for the AHBPCE s Post-Deployment Cardiopulmonary Evaluation Network (PDCEN) and the broader medical community. The Contractor shall also secure all relevant regulatory approvals, recruit participants, collect, store, and transfer cardiopulmonary data to support and improve the health and function of our nation s Veterans. Each deliverable specified herein shall be considered a recommendation for the Government s approval, with resulting implementation of methodologies upon approval. Background: The Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence (AHBPCE), located at the New Jersey War Related Illness and Injury Study Center under the program office Health Outcomes Military Exposure Patient Care Services, was officially recognized by Congress and the President in Public Law 115-929 as a VA Center of Excellence in 2019 (H.R. 5895). Formal designation as the Veterans Affairs AHBPCE by the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Services was provided on April 23, 2019. In meeting VHA Directive 1215 ( Standards for VHA Centers of Excellence ) the AHBPCE has four primary responsibility areas that are frequently overlapping. These primary areas include: Performing research related to Veterans concerns about exposure to Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pits; Creating and disseminating high-quality education activities and materials for Veterans and Clinicians Delivering specialized clinical care and consultation for Veterans Monitoring enterprise clinical response through analysis of the VA s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry data and related activities.