National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Contracts and Procurement Management Branch, OM, 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12874, Building 4401, Research Commons, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

A -- BIOKINETICS OF LEAD IN HUMAN PREGNANCY DUE 071596 POC Contact Phillip D. Jones, Contracting Officer, 919/541-0426 The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences contemplates negotiations with theMacquarie University in Sydney, Australia for a follow-on contract to contract N01-ES-05292with the University of Adelaide in Adelaide, Australia to complete the study entitled''Biokinetics of Lead in Human Pregnancy.'' The main objectives of the study is to gain criticallyneeded information on the biokinetics of lead during human pregnancy. Completion of the studywill also determine some of the exposure and exposure/toxicity in early childhood. Maternalbone lead stores may serve as ''marker'' for recognizing prospectively more children at risk toelevated blood lead levels. The prime contractor is currently the University of Adelaide. All thework being accomplished under the contract is being performed by a group headed by Dr. BrianL. Gulson, under the major subcontract with the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial ResearchOrganization (CSIRO). Currently, no work under the contract is being performed by any staff atthe University of Adelaide. Dr. Gulson has decided to leave his employment with the CSIROand has decided to join the Graduate School of the Environment at the Macquarie University.CSIRO is not interested in taking over where Dr. Gulson will leave off. The remaining researchto be performed depends upon the investigator having access to and the cooperation of groups ofwomen who are of child-bearing age and capability, as well as having naturally occurring (i.e.not experimentally induced) exposures to markedly different ratios of stable isotopes of the metallead (lead 204/206/207 and 208). Dr. Gulson through his previous and current work hasdeveloped a level of confidence with existing subjects and has gained the necessary respect toease the continuance of recruitment of subjects for participation in the project. Dr. Gulson alsohas a proven record of successful longitudinal epidemiological research on the effects ofenvironmental exposure to lead on human reproduction and child development. To ensurecontinuity of the recruitment of subjects and the consistency of the data compilation andinterpretation of the results, the remaining work to be accomplished must follow and beperformed by Dr. Gulson at the Macquarie University. Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as setforth in FAR 6.302-1. Inherent duplication of cost to the Government and unacceptable delays incompleting the project make competition unfeasible for this final phase of the study. SeeNumbered Notes 22 and 26. (0150)

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