Category: Essay

According to the textbook, when the government wants to purchase a certain product or service, it can use a variety of contracting methods as well as payment terms. Imagine that you are a contracts officer for the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), and your supervisor has tasked you with the purchase of software for processing tax returns.
Note: You may create and / or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.
Review the information from the following Websites:
? Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “52.232-1 Payments,” located at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_232.html#wp1152483
? Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “Subpart 32.9—Prompt Payment,” located at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2032_9.html
? Prompt Payment Act, located at http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/subtitle-III/chapter-39
? Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “Subpart 532.9—Prompt Payment,” located at http://acquisition.gov/gsam/06292009/html/Part532.html
? Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA), located at http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/10/A/IV/137/2306a
? Buy American Act, located at http://www.wingovernmentcontracts.com/buy-american-act.htm
Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:
1. Compare and contrast three (3) payments options and discuss the pros and cons of each.
2. Examine the three (3) elements of the Prompt Payment Act, and provide one (1) example of each. Determine whether or not Congress could make any revisions to each element in order to make prompt payment more seamless.
3. Examine one (1) of the four (4) major areas of limiting government cost. Elaborate on the primary manner in which the government could minimize costs within the area you choose. As a contracts officer for the IRS, propose one (1) strategy that you could use to pair the limiting of government cost with the government’s audit rights.
4. Suggest two (2) revisions to the TINA that would lessen the requirements for the government’s procurement of technical data and computer software. Provide a rationale for your suggestion.
5. Compare and contrast two (2) of the exceptions to the Buy American Act, and conclude whether or not these exceptions are necessary. Justify your position.
6. Use at least five (5) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia does not qualify as an academic resource.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
? Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
? Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

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Details:
Refer to “Identify Practice Problem Grading Criteria.”
Write a paper of 2,000?2,500 words. You will develop the paper in three parts.
In Part 1, you will identify a practice problem from a review of the literature, then write an introduction to the paper.
The introduction should state the purpose of paper, which includes applying theory to practice situations, identifying the practice problem and stating the rationale for the selection—i.e. why is this an important problem, as well as defining the practice problem and supporting it with the literature review.
Prepare this assignment according to APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be

Assignment:
Applying Theory to a Practice Problem: Part 2: Application of Middle-Range Theory to Problem
Due Date: Jan 07, 2015 23:59:59

Details:
In Part 2, you will apply a middle-range theory to the problem described in the introduction.
Describe the theory, starting with a short bio of the theorist along with the major influences that the theorist has contributed.
Describe the concepts and propositions of the theory. Provide an example from the literature as to how the theory has been applied.
Apply the theory to your practice problem, demonstrating the links to the elements of the problem and theory. In addition, make sure to describe how practice would change by incorporating the theory. It should be clear to reader that this is an appropriate theory for the problem.
Prepare this assignment according to APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
Refer to the “Apply Middle-Range Nursing Theory Grading Criteria.”

Assignment:
Benchmark Assignment: Applying Theory to a Practice Problem: Part 3: Application of Borrowed Theory to Problem and Conclusion

Due Date: Jan 21, 2015 23:59:59 Max Points: 150

Details:
Revise Parts 1 and 2 of your paper, based on the feedback provided by the “Identify Practice Problem Grading Rubric” and “Apply Middle-Range Nursing Theory Grading Criteria.”
In Part 3, you will apply a borrowed theory to the problem described in the introduction.

Describe the theory, starting with a short bio of the theorist along with the major influences that the theorist has contributed.
Describe the concepts and propositions of the theory. Provide an example from the literature as to how the theory has been applied.
Apply the theory to your practice problem, demonstrating the links to the elements of the problem and theory. In addition, make sure to describe how practice would change by incorporating the theory. It should be clear to the reader that this is an appropriate theory for the problem.
Write a conclusion. The conclusion should summarize key points of the paper. Identify the usefulness of applying theory to practice, including both nursing and borrowed theory, and identify problems with the application of the two theories presented in Parts 2 and 3.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.

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According to the Congressional Budget Office, Civilian agencies obligated over $435 billion in fiscal year 2012 for services–80 percent of total civilian spending on contracts. Service acquisitions have suffered from termination of contracts. Imagine that you are a contracts officer for the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), and that your supervisor has tasked you with the procurement of a new software system for processing tax returns.
Review “Contracting Officer’s Decision” in Chapter 22 of the textbook and the information from the following Websites:
? Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “49.402-1 The Government’s Right” to “49.402-3 Procedure for Default,” located at https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2049_4.html#wp1083168
? Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “52.233-1 Disputes,” located at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_233_240.html
? Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “52.249-2 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price),” located at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_248_253.html
Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:
1. Examine the manner in which termination for default can be categorized as both a cost savings measure and a creator of additional cost. Provide one (1) example to support your response.
2. Conclude the manner in which the termination for default clause impacts contracts when it is also both a cost savings method and a creator of cost mechanism. Provide a rationale for your response.
3. Provide your opinion as to whether or not the Contract Disputes Act overlaps the FAR’s Standard Disputes clause. Justify your position. Suggest language that would merge the two (2) acts, thus streamlining the dispute process and making it timelier.
4. Predict two (2) ramifications of a failure to terminate the entire contract and opting to engage in a partial termination. Compare and contrast the major differences between a partial termination and a deductive change. Provide two (2) examples that depict the necessity of each of these types of termination clauses.
5. Debate whether or not the contracting officer holds too much power where the awarding of government contracts is concerned. Propose a checks-and-balances system that provides two (2) standards for ensuring that the contracting officer: a) does not have the sole choice in vendor selection; and b) is not in a position to be enticed to award a contract that would invite impropriety. Provide a rationale for your response.
6. Use at least five (5) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia does not qualify as an academic resource.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
? Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
? Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

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Imagine that you are a contracts officer for the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), and that your supervisor has tasked you with the procurement of a new software system for processing tax returns. You have recognized that contract administration involves those activities performed by government officials after they award a contract. Once an award is made, contractors receive the contract, which includes provisions to minimize the risk and define rights and obligations, from the Internal Revenue Service.
Review Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “52.246-1 Contractor Inspection Requirements,” located at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_246.html.
Note: You may create and / or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.
Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:
1. Evaluate the importance of the standard default clause. As a contracts officer for the IRS, suggest two (2) ways in which you could combine the standard default clause with the FAR’s delay provision for the protection of both parties to the contract.
2. Speculate on the impact that a contracting officer’s changes to the payment terms within the software contract would exert upon both the government and the contractor. Analyze the requirements for a contracts officer to successfully effectuate a change order on behalf of the government. Conclude whether or not the change order is the most secure method for making a contractual change. Justify your response.
3. Examine the inspection criteria that FAR 52.246-1 articulates, and discuss the necessity of each requirement. As a contracts officer for the IRS, suggest two (2) improvements that you could make to the inspection procedure in order to make the procedure more efficient.
4. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia does not qualify as an academic resource.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
? Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
? Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
? Identify and apply the appropriate Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses to meet compliance in contracting actions and dispute resolution requirements.
? Explain the basic elements and compliance issues of the federal procurement framework (contract formulation, solicitation, costs, payment, financing, administration, and closeout).
? Use technology and information resources to research issues in procurement and contract law.
? Write clearly and

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Image your small business that produces very small remote control aircraft capable of long sustained flights. You are ready to expand your business by competing for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. You already have added one (1) contract with the DoD worth over $600,000 to your expanding company and are now ready to venture into contracting for the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.
Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:
1. Compare and contrast fixed-price contracts and cost-reimbursement contracts in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of each for your business.
2. Analyze at least three (3) opportunities your small business will have compared to large businesses in general.
3. Discuss which element(s) of cost-reimbursement contracts tend to produce the biggest troubles for your small business. Provide a rationale for your choice(s).
4. Determine which form of contracting would benefit your business the most among all the forms of contracting described in Chapter 16. Support your response.
5. Choose the most significant form of contracting that would support large companies (e.g., Boeing) among all the forms of contracting described in Chapter 16. Support your response.
6. Develop a plan on how your company would justify the government to award your company the contract when the form of this contracting supports larger companies.
7. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
? Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
? Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
? Compare and contrast fixed-price contracts and cost-reimbursement contracts.
? Examine other contract types commonly used in federal contracting.
? Use technology and information resources to research issues in contract administration and management.
? Write clearly and concisely about contract administration and management using proper writing mechanics.

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Imagine your small business produces very small remote control aircraft capable of long sustained flights. You are ready to expand your business by competing for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. You wish to bid on a contract that will be worth over $600,000 to your expanding company.
Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:
1. Select the simplified acquisition method that fits your company the most, and then provide a rationale for your selection. Note: Remember you are a small business that will have a massive expansion if you win this contract.
2. Analyze all parts and sections of the uniform contract format that could present a problem in this scenario. Suggest how you will adjust your approach to turn the problems you have identified into strengths for your small company.
3. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
? Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
? Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
? Assess the simplified acquisition methods.
? Differentiate between the parts and sections of the Uniform Contract Format.
? Use technology and information resources to research issues in contract administration and management.
? Write clearly and concisely about contract administration and management using proper writing mechanics.

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Case 3: Selection of a patient safety strategy
Background Information:
Langley Mason Health (LMH) is located in North Reno County, the largest public health care district in the state of Nevada, serving an 850-square-mile area encompassing seven distinctly different communities. The health district was founded in 1937 by a registered nurse and dietician who opened a small medical facility on a former poultry farm. Today the health system comprises Langley Medical Center, a 317-bed tertiary medical center and level II trauma center; Mason Hospital, a 107-bed community hospital; and Mason Continuing Care Center and Villa Langley, two-part-skilled nursing facilities (SNFs); a home care division; an ambulatory surgery center; and an outpatient behavioral medicine center.
In anticipation of expected population growth in North Reno County and to meet the state-mandated seismic requirements, LMH developed an aggressive facilities master plan (FMP) that includes plans to build a state-of-the-art 453-bed replacement hospital for its Langley Medical Center campus, double the size of its Mason Hospital, and build satellite clinics in four of its outlying communities. The cost associated with actualizing this FMP is estimated to be $1 billion. Several years ago, LMH undertook and successfully passed the largest health care bond measure in the state’s history and in so doing secured $496 million in general obligation bonds to help fund its massive facilities expansion project. The remaining funds must come from revenue bonds, growth strategies, philanthropic efforts, and strong operational performance over the next ten years. Additionally, $5 million of routine capital funds will be diverted every fiscal year for the next five years to help offset the huge capital outlay that will be necessary to equip the new facilities. That leaves LMH with only $10 million per year to spend on routine maintenance, equipment, and technology for all its facilities. LMH is committed to patient safety and is building what the leadership team hopes will be one of the safest hospital-of-the-future facilities. The challenge is to provide for patient safety and safe medication practices given the minimal capital dollars available to spend today.
LMH developed an IT strategic plan in late 2010, with the following ten goals identified:
• Empower health consumers and physicians
• Transform data into information
• Support the expansion of clinical services
• Expand e-business opportunities
• Realize the benefits of innovation
• Maximize the value of IT
• Improve projects outcomes
• Prepare for the unexpected
• Deploy a robust and agile technical architecture
• Digitally enable new facilities, including the new hospital.

Information System Challenge
LMH has implemented Phase 1 – an enterprise-wide EHR system developed by Cerner Corporation in 2008 at a cost of $20 million. Phase 2 of the project is to implement computerized provider order entry (CPOE) with decision-support capabilities. This phase was to have been completed in 2010, but has been delayed due to the many challenges associated with Phase 1, which still must be stabilized and optimized. LMH does have a fully automated pharmacy information system, albeit order technology, and Pyxis medication-dispensing systems on all units in the acute care hospitals. Computerized discharge prescriptions and instructions are available only for patients seen and discharge from the LMH emergency departments.
Currently, the pharmacy and nursing staff at LMH have been working closely on the selection of a smart IV pump to replace all of the health system’s aging pumps and have put forth a proposal to spend $4.9 million in the fiscal year beginning July 2012. Smart pumps have been shown to significantly reduce medication administration errors, thus reducing patient harm. This expenditure would consume roughly half of all the available capital dollars for the fiscal year.
The chief information officer, Marilyn Moore, PhD, understands the pharmacists’ and nurses’ desire to purchase smart IV pumps but believes the implementation of this technology should not be considered in isolation. She sees the smart pumps as one facet of an overall medication management capital purchase and patient safety strategic plan. Dr. Moore suggests that the pharmacy and nursing leadership team lead a medication management strategic planning process and evaluate a suite of available technologies that takes together could optimize medication safety (for example, CPOE, electronic medication administration records [e-mar], robots, automated pharmacy systems, bar coding, computerized discharge prescriptions and instructions, and smart IV pumps), the costs associated with implementing these technologies, and the organization’s readiness to embrace these technologies. Paul Robinson, PharmD, the director of pharmacy, appreciates Dr. Moore’s suggestion but feels that smart IV pumps are critical to patient safety and that LMH doesn’t have time to go through a long, drawn-out planning process that could take years to implement and the process of gaining board support. Others argue that all new proposals should be placed on hold until CPOE is up and running. They argue there are too many other pressing issues at hand to invest in yet another new technology.
Discussion Questions:
1. Describe the current situation as you see it. What are the major issues in this case/
2. Marilyn Moore, CIO, and Paul Robinson, director of pharmacy, have different views of how LMH should proceed. What are the pros and cons of their respective approaches? Which approach, if either seems like an appropriate course of action to you? Explain your rationale.
3. Assume you are to mediate a discussion on this issue and that participants are to come to consensus on how best to proceed. What would you do?
Instructions:
Develop a 3-5 page paper answering the three questions in Case Study
Provide a minimum of three in-text citations and associated references when answering the questions, being mindful of the ANA standards of care and scope of practice for nursing informatics.

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In primary care settings, patients often present with abdominal pain. Although this is frequently a sign of a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, abdominal pain could also be the result of other systemic disorders, making this type of pain difficult to assess. While abdominal pain is most common, many other GI symptoms also overlap multiple disorders, further increasing the difficulty in diagnosing and treating patients. This makes provider-patient communication essential. You must be able to formulate questions that will prompt the patient to provide the necessary information, as this will guide your assessment and diagnosis. For this Discussion, consider potential diagnoses for the patients in the following case studies.
Case Study 1:
A 49-year-old man presents to the office complaining of vague abdominal discomfort over the past few days. He states he does not feel like eating and has not moved his bowels for the last 2 days. His patient medical history includes an appendectomy at age 22 and borderline hypertension, which he is trying to control with diet and exercise. He takes no medications and has no known allergies. Positive physical exam findings include a temperature of 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit, heart rate of 98, respiratory rate of 24, and blood pressure of 150/72. The abdominal exam reveals abdominal distention, diminished bowel sounds, and lower left quadrant tenderness without rebound.
Case Study 2:
A 40 year-old female presents to the office with the chief complaint of diarrhea. She has been having recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. She has lost 9 pounds in the last month. She takes no medications, but is allergic to penicillin. She describes her life as stressful, but manageable. The physical exam reveals a pale middle- aged female in no acute distress. Her weight is 140 pounds (down from 154 at her last visit over a year ago), blood pressure of 94/60 sitting and 86/50 standing, heart rate of 96 and regular without postural changes, respiratory rate of 18, and O2 saturation 99%. Further physical examination reveals:
Skin: w/d, no acute lesions or rashes
Eyes: sclera clear, conj pale
Ears: no acute changes
Nose: no erythema or sinus tenderness
Mouth: membranes pale, some slight painful ulcerations, right buccal mucosa, tongue beefy red, teeth good repair
Neck: supple, no thyroid enlargement or tenderness, no lymphadenopathy
Cardio: S1 S2 regular, no S3 S4 or murmur
Lungs: CTA w/o rales, wheezes, or rhonchi
Abdomen: scaphoid, BS hyperactive, generalized tenderness, rectal +occult blood
Case Study 3:
A 52-year-old male presents to the office for a routine physical. The review of symptoms reveals anorexia, heartburn, and weight loss over the past 6 months. The heartburn is long standing, occurring most days during the week. He takes TUMS or Rolaids to relieve the discomfort. The patient describes occasional use of ibuprofen for back pain, but denies other medications including herbals. He has no known allergies. He was adopted so does not know his family history. Social history reveals that, although he stopped smoking ten years ago, he smoked for 20 years. He occasionally consumes alcohol on the weekends only. The only positive physical exam finding for this patient was slight epigastric tenderness. The remainder of his exam was negative and the rectal exam was negative for blood.
To prepare:
• Review this week’s media presentations and Part 12 of the Buttaro et al. text in the Learning Resources.
• Select one of the three case studies listed above. Reflect on the provided patient information including history and physical exams.
• Think about a differential diagnosis. Consider the role the patient history and physical exam played in diagnosis.
• Reflect on potential treatment options based on your diagnosis.
Post on or before Day 3 an explanation of the differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study that you selected. Describe the role the patient history and physical exam played in the diagnosis. Then, suggest potential treatment options based on your patient diagnosis.
Readings
• Buttaro, T. M., Trybulski, J., Polgar Bailey, P., & Sandberg-Cook, J. (2013). Primary care: A collaborative practice (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
o Part 12, “Evaluation and Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders” (pp. 612–722)

This part examines the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of several GI disorders. It also describes diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and management methods for GI disorders.
o Part 20, “Evaluation and Management of Infectious Disease”
? Chapter 234, “Infectious Diarrhea” (pp. 1263–1271)

This chapter describes characteristics of three types of infectious diarrhea and identifies the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment options, and possible causes of the disorder

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I would like you to help me with a essay in the topic: CATCHMENT HYDROLOGY: A REVIEW OF MODELS AND MODELLING APPROACHES
The essay consists in :
A brief introduction to the problem being modelled (scientific interest, issues, relevance etc.) and the purpose of the review
• An overview of the spectrum of approaches available (perhaps with reference to scale of application, mathematical basis etc)
• A structured review of a set of models that you have located within the literature
• A discussion to sum up some of the pros and cons of alternative models and/or identify remaining challenges or priority areas for improving model capability.

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