Contracts Management Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Federal Building, Room 901, 7550 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9190, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-9190

A -- NEURONAL PRECURSOR CELLS FOR TRANSPLANTATION AFTER CNS TRAUMA Sol. BAA/RFP No. NIH-NINDS-96-07. Due 043096. POC: Contracting Officer, Kirkland Davis, 301/496-9203. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH will under a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)/Request for Proposals (RFP), solicit proposals for developing methods and protocols for the isolation, culture,and preparation of progenitor cells from an adult (animal) nervous system for use as cellular transplants in CNS trauma. In addition, the project will support work to demonstrate the feasibility of transplantation of these cells into an established animal model of CNS trauma, and to show the survival, phenotype development, and host/graft interactions of the implanted cells. The Division of Stroke and Trauma (DST) of the NINDS, supports research related to the amelioration of damage after CNS trauma. One area of opportunity for new approaches to this problem is represented by the potential use of stem cells found within the adult nervous system as a reservoir of neurons for transplantation after trauma. The isolation, tissue culture conditions, and preparation of these cells for transplantation would provide useful, basic information to researchers who could then utilize cells in more applied research on treatment of head or spinal cord injury, and potentially other diseases. Offerors are required to have appropriate and available research facilities for isolation, culture, and testing of progenitor cells from adult (animal) nervous system. In addition, knowledge of CNS injury paradigms and ability to perform implantation studies in an animal model should be at the facility or easily available through defined collaboration. Prospective offerors shall be required to obtain institutional approval for all animal studies and follow the PHS guidelines for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals. Human studies shall not be supported under any resultant contract. Performance of work under this project will require involvement of personnel with established expertise in precursor cell neurobiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, CNS trauma, neuroanatomy, and animal testing. It is anticipated that one (1) multi-year cost reimbursement type contracts may be awarded for a maximum period of four years. This is not a Request for Proposals. RFP/BAA No. NIH-NINDS-96-07 will be issued on or about March 1, 1996 with proposals due approximately sixty days thereafter. Written requests for a copy of the BAA/RFP must cite the RFP number referenced above. Please supply this office with two (2) self-addressed mailing labels. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Government. Refer to numbered note 26. (039)

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