U.S. ARMY MED. RESEARCH ACQUISITION ACT, MCMR-RMA (PGI-1), FORT DETRICK BLDG. 820, FREDERICK MD 21702-5014

A -- EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES PERSIAN GULF WAR ILLNESSES SOL DAMD17-95-#-0008 MCMR-RMA (PGI-1) DUE 082395 POC CRAIG D. LEBO, 301-619-2036 (i) DAMD17-95-#-0008; (ii) Award will be made in accordance with the guidelines of the R&D Streamlined Contracting procedure outlined in DFARS 235.700O; (iii) Supplemental package; (iv) availability of supplemental; (v) All mandatory terms, clauses and provision in DFARS 235.7006 and the following optional items are incorporated by reference : (B.6, C.3, E.3, F.1, G.1,G.4, I.43, I.46 to I.51, I.53, I.55, I.56, I.63, I.64, I.70, I.75, I.78, I.79, I.86, I.88, I.89,I.94, I.97, I.98, I.104, I.106. I.107, I.124, I.125, I.127 to I.129, I.160, I.164; (vi) Clauses and provisions are those in effect through FAC 90-24, dated 15 DEC 94 and DAC 91-6, dated 27 May 1994; (vii) The standard evaluation factors at Section M apply to this RDSS with the following exceptions: Factor M.1 is deleted in its entirety and factor M.2 (ii) A(1) is supplemented- ''As part of the technical approach an assessment of whether the proposal clearly addresses a relevant and significant military problem that can be solved by research and development studies.'', Factor M.2 (ii) A(2) is supplemented -''Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in epidemiology, toxicology, neurobiology, infectious disease, microbiology, biostatistics, behavioral medicine, pharmacology, or public health; and must have no financial relationship with any company that manufactures a product that may be addressed in the study''; (viii) The resultant contract will normally require the timely delivery of several reports during the research effort, specifically a quarterly financial report, a Mid-Term Scientific Report and a Final Report. Additionally, publication of study results in peer reviewed scientific journals is imperative; (ix) A cost reimbursement contract is anticipated. However, the government reserves the right to award grants or cooperative agreements as a result of this solicitation. (x) The period of performance should not exceed three years. Specific products and delivery dates will be negotiated with each successful grantee; (xi) No preproposal conference is planned; (xii) No small business or other set-asides apply to this action. (xiii) Technical and cost proposals are due no later than 2:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time 23 August 1995, to Building 820, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702-5014 M/F DAMD17-95-#-0008; (xiv) Proposals shall be submitted in an original and 19 copies. (xv) No proposal page limit is mandated except that indicated in Section L.24 (see also FAR 52.215-7); Multiple awards are anticipated; Point of Contact Craig D. Lebo, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Building 820, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702- 5014 (telephone 301-619-2036, fax, 301-619-2937), email, craig_lebo@ftdetrck-ccmail.army.mil; (xviii) There are no applicable CBD notes; (xx) Statement of work: The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), on behalf of the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health & Human Services Cooperative Research Program, is supporting epidemiological studies of possible health consequences of military service or employment in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The USAMRMC is seeking proposals to study the incidence, prevalence, and nature of illnesses and symptoms and risk factors associated with symptoms or illnesses as a result of Persian Gulf War service. The proposals should be epidemiological research of individuals who served as members of the Armed Forces in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War; individuals who were civilian employees of the Department of Defense (DoD) in that theater during that period; where appropriate, individuals who were employees of contractors of the DoD in that theater during that period; and include the spouses and children of individuals covered by the studies; as well as suitable control groups or reference populations. Proposals are requested for an automated DoD outpatient medical information system, compatible with existing in-patient automated medical information systems, that will capture out-patient medical data, contains existing data on Persian Gulf veterans, and will allow centralized epidemiological studies for pre-, during, and post-deployment health outcomes. Proposals are sought which assess the incidence, prevalence, and nature of illnesses and symptoms, as well as the risk factors associated with symptoms or illnesses that were manifested within three years of deployment in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Potential exposures assessed shall include exposure to chemical agents, medications and vaccines, endemic diseases, pesticides, toxins, and any other hazardous materials deemed appropriate. Proposals are also sought that assess the relationship between Persian Gulf illnesses and symptoms and stress-related conditions producing battlefield and wartime morbidity. Proposed studies may be international or multinational in scope to include allied and/or coalition forces. Proposals are sought that attempt to compare the incidence, prevalence, and nature of illnesses and symptoms suffered by the individuals who were deployed to the Persian Gulf with an appropriate control group or reference population. Proposals are also sought that attempt to compare the incidence, prevalence, and nature of illnesses, symptoms, and potential adverse birth outcomes for children conceived by individuals who participated in the Persian Gulf War with an appropriate control group or reference population. Proposals are sought within the areas of reproductive outcomes, pediatric disorders and reproductive risks (e.g., miscarriage, infertility). Proposals for comparative studies, including historical comparisons of Persian Gulf War illnesses and symptoms with health experiences in other recent deployments are also requested. Successful applicants will be required to conduct a small pilot study to demonstrate the feasibility of their proposed study design and instruments.(0142)

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