HHS re-ups Perot Systems for communications outreach

The Health and Human Services Department awarded a five-year, $16.1 million contract recompete to Perot Systems Corp. for continued communications outreach support to the department’s Office on Women’s Health.The General Services Administration awarded the contract for the company to continue running an interactive women’s heath and providing staff to answer healthcare-related questions via a toll free number. Perot Systems won the first contract in 1998.The women’s health Web site provides free information on more than 800 topics, such as nutrition and physical activity, minority health, birth control, pregnancy and reproductive health, breastfeeding, mental health, and illnesses and disabilities. It also has statistics and publications issued by the National Women’s Health Information Center, some of which are available in both Spanish and Chinese. Other tools include a toll-free hotline that also serves as the National Breastfeeding Helpline, and a TDD line for deaf clients.Staffers who speak Spanish are available to answer questions on the phone, and a section of the is Spanish. Perot Systems plans to create a separate Web address for Spanish-language information that will mirror the existing English-language site. There is also a men’s health in English.Also as part of the new contract work, Perot Systems will continue to support the girls’ health Web site, which promotes healthy behaviors and lifestyles for young women ages of 10 to 16. Topics include fitness, relationships, understanding body changes and dealing with social challenges. Government Computer News’ .