Analysis and Publication of CHMS Biomonitoring Data

Request for Information (RFI) Number: 290216-01
Health Canada
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada
Project Title: Analysis and Publication of CHMS Biomonitoring Data
Purpose:
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) enquiry is as follows:
The objective of this request for information is to identify potential contractors and/or collaborators with the expertise to access, analyze, and publish human biomonitoring data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS).
This information will enhance our ability to make available, interpret and communicate biomonitoring study results and lead to more effective use of biomonitoring data in managing the health risks of chemicals. These efforts will also contribute to the Government of Canada’s understanding of exposure of Canadians to environmental chemicals measured in the CHMS.
Background:
Monitoring and surveillance initiatives conducted under the Chemicals Management Plan provide valuable information supporting the federal government in fulfilling its legislative obligations, its international commitments, and its responsibility to protect the health of Canadians.
The cornerstone of Health Canada’s monitoring and surveillance program is the human biomonitoring component of the CHMS, a national survey carried out by Statistics Canada, in collaboration with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The survey is designed to be representative of the Canadian population. It collects information on the general health and lifestyles of Canadians through interviews and direct physical measurements (e.g., weight and height) and provides information on chronic and infectious disease, physical fitness, nutrition, and other factors that influence health. The CHMS also includes a biomonitoring component, in which blood and urine samples are collected to provide information on exposure to chemicals. To date, three cycles of the CHMS have been completed, the first cycle conducted in 2007-2009, the second cycle in 2009-2011, and the third cycle in 2012-2013. Data from cycles 1 to 3 are available for analyses.
For each cycle of the CHMS, descriptive statistics for human biomonitoring componant are published in reports available through Health Canada (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/contaminants/human-humaine/index-eng.php). The entire dataset is available to access through application to Statistics Canada’s Research Data Centres Program (www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/rdc/index).
Further, more in depth analysis of the human biomonitoring data by Health Canada led or co-authored publications provide an opportunity to further inform the Government of Canada’s management of chemicals and protect the health of Canadians.
 
Information Requested:
Researchers who are interested in conducting collaborative or contractual work with the Government of Canada in advancing the analyses and publication of human biomonitoring data may respond to this RFI with a cover letter containing the following information and a most recent CV.
•Experience in the statistical analysis of complex population survey datasets, such as the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS).
•Ability to obtain access to the CHMS dataset via the Research Data Centres (www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/rdc/index).
•A record of previously published peer reviewed scientific journal articles.
•Expertise in the field of human biomonitoring.
•Access to statistical software packages with procedures for the analyses of complex survey data allowing the use of survey and bootstrap weights to estimate variance, and specification of number of degrees of freedom.
Note to Potential Respondents:
This is not a bid solicitation and a contract will not result.
Potential respondents are advised that any information submitted to the government in response to this Request for Information may be used by the government in the development of a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP).
The issuance of this Request for Information does not create an obligation for Canada to issue a subsequent RFP.
It should also be noted that no agreement to do business with any respondent will result from this specific enquiry.

Closing Date:
Responses to this Request for Information will be accepted at any time until April 29th 2016.
Contracting Authority:
All enquiries and responses related to this Request for Information shall be directed to the Contracting Authority.
David Sullivan
david.j.sullivan@hc-sc.gc.ca