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Tender to Undertake Research into Methods and Data Sources for the Estimation of Prevalence of Problematic Opiate and Cocaine Use in Ireland.

Commission

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) wishes to commission research into methods and data sources which can be used to estimate the number of problem opiate and cocaine users and the prevalence of problematic opiate and cocaine use in Ireland.   The objectives of the study are:

• To determine indirect statistical approaches to estimating numbers and rates of problematic opiate and cocaine users in Ireland;
• To identify statistical or practical adaptations that would improve the reliability of the current capture-recapture estimate;
• To identify all data sources in Ireland, which can be used in the estimation of the prevalence of problematic opiate and cocaine use and using a systematic approach evaluate their potential for use;
• To design pilot studies to test the preferred approaches.

Background

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) was established in July 2000 to advise the Government in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland, based on the analysis of research findings and information. The Committee oversees the delivery of a work programme on the extent, nature, causes and effects of drug use in Ireland. The research and information actions for which the NACD has lead responsibility are set out in the National Drugs Strategy (interim) 2009-2016, which is available on www.pobail.ie.

Background Information

The prevalence and patterns of problem drug use in the general population is one of the five key indicators developed by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), and adopted by EU Member States.  In order to ensure that reliable and comparable data are obtained in this regard, the estimation of the prevalence of problematic opiate and cocaine use in Ireland is one of the priorities set out by the NACD in its current work programme and agreed by Government.   

One of the key methodologies favoured by the EMCDDA for estimating the number of opiate users is the capture-recapture method. Accordingly, the NACD undertook a national 3-source capture-recapture study to estimate the number of problem opiate users in the Irish population for the year 2006. This study, which updates a similar national study undertaken in 2000-2001, is available on the NACD website.
(http://www.nacd.ie/publications/prevalence_opiate.html).  However,  due to a number of technical factors , relating to the population of the survey not being “closed” and to the diminishing overlap between the 3 sources used, it was not possible to obtain a reliable estimate of the prevalence of opiate use in Ireland in 2006.  In light of these issues, the NACD decided to undertake research into other methods of estimating the prevalence of problematic drug use and to improving the capture-recapture method in order to determine the possible options.

The Brief

Against this background, the NACD is seeking to establish an improved method of capture-recapture or alternative approaches to the capture-recapture method for estimating prevalence of problematic opiate and cocaine use in Ireland. The project will involve:

• carrying out a review of the range of international methods which can be used to estimate the number of problem opiate and cocaine users and the prevalence of problematic opiate and cocaine use in the population;
• giving a perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the various methods as they relate to estimating problematic opiate and cocaine use;
• provision of a list of the range of data sources in Ireland which can be used in the estimation of the prevalence of problematic opiate and cocaine use, including the identification of strengths and limitations relating to the specific data sources;
• matching the methods to the data sources in order to identify methods best suited to the Irish situation;
• designing pilot studies to test the proposed methods.

Research Advisory Group

A Research Advisory Group (RAG) will oversee the project.  The successful bidder will be expected to report to this RAG on progress during the research. Close collaboration with the RAG is expected during the lifetime of this research project to enable the early identification and resolution of design or other research difficulties.

Duration of Project.

The Committee is keen to undertake this work immediately and to have it completed within two months. Therefore,the successful candidate will be expected to be in a position to commence work no later than 13 September 2010.   The first draft of the report will be expected six weeks from the award of the contract. The final report will be due eight weeks from the date of the award.  A liaison schedule will be agreed as part of the contract.

REQUIREMENTS

Tenderers must submit a written proposal detailing the following;

• Research methodology to be employed and justification of outputs (please be guided by bullet points set out in the Brief);
• Project management from conception to completion with clear milestones;
• Personnel involved their credentials and qualifications;
• Track record in this field;
• Description of administrative and technical costs.

Evaluation of the submissions will be based on the following criteria and on the basis of the following scores:

Research Methodology (35)
Understanding of the issues involved;
Understanding of the work involved;
Feasibility of the approach suggested;
Methods to ensure confidentiality.

Project Management    (40)
Ability to deliver key outputs on time;
Clarity in description of milestones;
Track record in this field;
Qualifications and capacity of personnel.

Value for Money (25)
A full and detailed breakdown of fees and costs (excluding VAT) is required. Tenderers should indicate the estimated number of person/days for completing the work.  The NACD reserves the right to reject any or all of the proposals submitted and will not be obliged to accept the lowest or any tender.

DATA PROTECTION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Researchers/contractors must comply with data protection legislation. The successful bidder will be expected to demonstrate steps they will take to protect and store the data from corruption, infiltration and technical damage. The Intellectual Property issues are dealt with in the sample contract which is on the NACD website. Submission of a tender proposal will be taken as acceptance of these terms.

FINANCIAL DETAILS
The researcher must set out a description and justification for the costs of implementing the brief. A separate financial report will also be required on completion of the project before final payment is made.

NACD CONTRACT
A copy of the NACD contract is available to download from the NACD website.

A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DECLARATION
A Freedom of Information Declaration must be completed and returned with the tender. This is available to download from the NACD website.

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS
Five copies of the tender together with a signed Freedom of Information Declaration (form attached) and an up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate should be sent to the NACD offices, and include a short CV of those leading and managing this study, no later than
3.00pm, Friday, 13th August 2010.
Tenders will not be accepted by email.
Please mark your envelope ‘Methods of Estimating Prevalence Tender’ and address to:

The Secretary
NACD
3rd Floor
Dún Aimhirgin
43-49 Mespil Road
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel: 00 353 1 647 3240
Fax 00 353 1 647 3150
Email: info@nacd.ie; Web: www.nacd.ie