National Sleep Foundation Gives Back Program

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) seeks proposals from the sleep care community (centers, labs, sleep health providers, medical supply companies, etc.) on novel methods to provide sleep care services to their indigent patient population suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Background
A CPAP manufacturer has generously made available to NSF a large supply of new or certified new positive airway pressure (PAP) machines to be given away to needy OSA patients. NSF will award 25 PAP machines to applicants that propose compelling and viable care programs. NSF has initially targeted patients at 400% of the federal definition of poverty level. Winning proposals should demonstrate local solutions of the applicant sleep care community and include a plan for delivering a free, or substantially free, OSA continuum of care ranging from diagnosis to treatment, from follow ups to PAP, accessories, supplies, etc.

Program Goals
The primary goal of this program is to make it possible for as many individuals as possible who otherwise could not afford diagnosis, PAP, and chronic care management to receive needed care at no cost. It is NSF's belief that positive collaborative partnerships among all parties ‐ NSF, member sleep centers, PAP manufacturer, health care professionals, etc. ‐ will broaden public exposure to, and knowledge about sleep disorders as well as materially reinforce the sleep community's commitment to quality sleep care.

Program Requirements
Centers participating in the program must agree to the following terms:

• Receive and dispense at least 25 PAP units.
• Provide sleep studies consistent with center's proposal (e.g., waiver of fees for eligible patients).
• Work with local resources to procure free masks and supplies. Specify any time limitations for the provision of free replacement parts and accessories.
• Work with a home health care company to install the equipment and provide basic training on its use, as appropriate.

RFP Schedule

• November 2, 2009............ RFP release
• January 29, 2010............. Proposals due
• April 15, 2010 ................. Notification of proposal acceptance or rejection

Proposal Instructions
All interested parties are invited to submit proposals. Your proposal should address the
following points:

• Provide general information about your sleep center, specifically:
  • Company name, address, website (if available)
  • Staff contact information (name, title, phone and email)
  • Licensing and capabilities
  • Company background and key services
  • Current Patient/customer profile
• Describe how you will identify eligible patients.
• Describe how you will satisfy all applicable state and federal laws related to diagnosis and dispensing of PAP equipment.
• Describe how your program will be promoted, announced and marketed to your community.
• Describe your plan for garnering in‐kind support or other type of cooperation among all parties to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for OSA patients, specifically:
  • Sleep centers for providing the diagnosis and testing
  • Credential information on physicians for scoring, patient care management, etc.
  • Equipment companies for supplying masks and other PAP supplies
  • DME/HME companies for fulfillment and patient education
• Describe how and/or who you would work with to supply patients with PAP masks and other necessary accessories. Specify any time limitations for the provision of free replacement parts and accessories.
• Describe how and who you would work with to get the PAP unit installed at the patient's residence and methods for ensuring compliance as well as following up with the patient for ongoing care.
• State the requested number of PAP units (must be at least 25 units).
• Please explain any and all necessary preconditions of participation particularly as it relates to securing services from other parties (i.e. masks, supplies, DME).

Proposal Submission Instructions
Email your proposal to Community Manager Cheryl Welbeck at cwelbeck@sleepfoundation.org. Write "NSF Gives Back Proposal" in the subject line of your email. Contact Cheryl with questions at her email or (202) 347‐3471 x219. All proposals will be held in confidence.

Proposal Review and Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed by the National Sleep Foundation and will include the CEO, NSF Gives Back Task Force, staff and other individuals as appropriate. NSF reserves the right to reject any and all proposals without penalty, to award the contract in whole or in part if it is deemed in its best interest, and to cancel the entire program in whole or in part for any reason.