National Institute of Mental Health, Contracts Management Branch, Room 9C-15, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857

A -- NIMH NATIONAL CELL REPOSITORY POC Contact Point, Tricia Gibbons, 301-443-2696, Contracting Officer, David J. Eskenazi, 301/443-2696 The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) anticipates the procurement of services to support a NIMH National Cell Repository. This follow-on acquisition will continue to serve ten established diagnostic sites by providing investigators with high quality, well characterized cell lines and DNA. The successful contractor will be responsible for the follow tasks: 1a) Continue to receive blood samples collected from patients and their relatives from the ten diagnostic center sites and perform lymphocyte transformation from these blood samples in order to establish, maintain, and store permanent cell lines. 1b) Perform cell culture expansions for DNA isolation and storage. 1c) Receive plasma samples obtained from the bipolar and schizophrenia diagnostic center sites to be aliquoted, frozen, and stored for shipment back to the ten diagnostic center sites upon request. Contract type is anticipated to be a Cost Plus Fixed Fee. Interested cotractors should indicate whether they qualify as a large business, small business, an 8 (a) certified firm, a socially and economically disadvantaged busines, a woman owned business, a historically black college or university, or a minority institution. Interested contractors are requested to submit a Statement of Capability (SOC). At a minimum, SOC's must demonstrate and document coporate and personnel experience in the above mentioned tasks. Any other specific and relevant information that pertains to this potential procurement that might enhance the Governments understanding of the information submitted, may also be provided. Do not provide advertisement brochures in lieu of a written SOC. Based upon the evaluation of responses to this announcement, the Government reserves the right to set aside this acquisition. SOC's must be received by 3:30 pm EST, March 24, 1995. The Government anticipates release of an RFP approximately 30 days after receipt of the SOC's. SOC's shall be mailed to NIMH, Attn: Patricia Gibbons, Contracting Officer, 5600 Fishers Ln., Rm. 9C-15, Rockville, MD 20857. This announcement is for informational and planning purposes only. It does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. (0069)

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