National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, TCS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 603 MSC 7220, Bethesda MD 20892-7220

P -- COLLECTION AND TAXONOMY OF SHALLOW WATER MARINE ORGANISMS SOL NCI-CM-77249-30 DUE 070896 POC Elsa B. Carlton, Contract Specialist, (301) 496-8620 or Therese M. Dick, Contracting Officer, (301) 496-8620. The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Treatment, Diagnosis and Centers (DCTDC), Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) anticipates the award of one (1) cost-reimbursement contract, for a base period of three (3) years, with two (2) one-year option years, beginning on or about February 1, 1997. The objective of this project is to continue the exploration of marine organisms from the geographic areas of the globe in which biodiversity is thought to be the greatest; and to use these organisms as a source of pharmacophores which can be developed for the selective treatment of cancer and AIDS in humans. The successful offeror will be expected to provide qualified personnel, materials, and equipment for the collection, identification, storage and shipping of 700 frozen marine samples per year to an NCI designated extraction facility in the United States. Collections will comprise approximately 1000 grams frozen, wet weight of each sample, collected by SCUBA divers to 50-55 meters using suitable safequards. Each sample will be indentified as far as possible at the time of collection, and will subsequently be identified to species level. Properly prepared voucher specimens will be prepared at the time of collection for the purposes of later unambiguous identification, and for deposition at a minimum of two (2) repositories identified by the NCI, together with complete documentation. The collection team should include qualified taxonomists, personnel experienced in scientific diving and collection by SCUBA techniques (to at least 40 meters, but to 50-55 meters if experienced personnel are available). The Principal Investigator should be trained in marine biology or a related field and have at least five (5) years experience in marine organism collection and identification. It is anticipated that recollections of up to 50 marine samples per year in quantities to 50 kg may be required in the second and subsequent years. The number of smaller scale collections would be reduced in a suitable proportion. Collections will include examples from as wide a variety of phyla and families as possible. The collection will be heavily weighted towards invertebrates with allowance for a small percentage of marine plants, and with the specific exclusion of vertibrates. A list of genera and species previously screened by NCI will be provided with the RFP, in order to aid in the determination of priorties by the successful contractor. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits (including visas, shipping and export permits) from foreign governments and agencies, for delivery of samples and voucher specimens to the United States. All collection shall be conducted under the conditions of the NCI's Letter of Collection, which is provided with the RFP. Where necessary, the Government will provide letters of support. This is a recompetition of a contract with Coral Reef Research Foundation. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available on or about May 22, 1996. A copy of the RFP can be obtained by written request to Elsa B. Carlton, Contract Specialist, Treatment Contract Section, Research Contract Branch, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza South, Room 603, 6120 EXECUTIVE BOULEVARD MSC 7220, BETHESDA MD 20892-7220. NO collect calls will be accepted (0117)

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