National Institutes of Health, OPM, 6120 Executive Blvd., Room 868, Bethesda, MD 20892

88 -- PRODUCTION OF INFECTIVE LARVAE AND ADULT WORMS OF THE FILARIAL PARASITE BRUGIA MALAYI SOL 263-97-P(BC)-0004 POC Sheri Lawson, Contracting Officer on 301/402-3065 or Edward Wilgus, Chief, Acquisitions Branch A/B, on 301/402-3070. The OPM (Office of Procurement Management), NIH (National Institutes of Health) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of businesses to provide infective larvae and adult worms of the filarial parasite Brugia Malayi. The period of performance shall be for twelve (12) months from date of award with four (4) successive twelve (12) month option periods. The intended procurement will be classified under SIC 0279, Animal Specialties, N.E.C. with a size standard of $0.5M. The Contractor shall furnish the specific strain and quantities of these parasitic worms according to the required procedures. The primary objective for the use of these parasites is for studying human immunity to filariasis, a disease which causes elephantiasis in humans, and to develop an appropriate vaccine for the infection. The high quality and well standardized parasite materials required under this contract are necessary to maintain the progress of on-going carefully controlled research studies being conducted at the NIH. In addition to the above, colonies of the mosquito Aedes Aequpti (Liverpool strain) are required to be maintained for the production of the infective larvae. The parasitic materials derived from the mosquitoes must be collected, counted, stored, maintained and further processed in a manner required for this research study. The larvae, and the adult worms which are required to be produced from the larvae, has to be stored until needed in a freezer (stored at -80 degree centigrade), and injected intraperitoneally into jirds or suspended in media 199 and shipped immediately by air express. Sixty to ninety days later, adult worms will be collected from the peritoneal cavity of jirds and stored at 80 degree centigrade until needed. Approximately two hundred twenty-one thousand two hundred infective larvae shall be produced. The Contractor is required to develop the specific protocols with all the required technical support of the specialized facilities capable of adequately meeting the requirements of large production of Brugia Malayi infective larvae and adult worms in addition to other related parasites. These special requirements include large walk-in facilities with tightly controlled conditions of humidity (70-90%) and temperature 26 to 28 degrees centigrade). These facilities must be continuously monitored for any fluctuation of temperature and humidity which would result in uncalculated metamorphosis of the infected larvae. This is not a formal solicitation. Concerns that respond to this notice must furnish concise responses directed specifically to the requirements mentioned above. Sources possessing the experience and demonstrated capability to furnish the above without jeopardizing the previous efforts shall supply pertinent information in sufficient detail to demonstrate their ability to supply the required items. Information shall include evidence of previous similar projects, general and specific facilities and other available literature for the NIH to perform a proper evaluation. Concerns that respond to this synopsis shall furnish concise responses directed specifically to the requirements mentioned above and are invited to submit capability statements in an Original plus two (2) copies no later than forty-five (45) business days from the date of this announcement. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) NOR IS AN RFP CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. Capability Statements: (a) If mailing your capabilities through the U.S. Postal Service use the following address: National Institutes of Health, Office of Procurement Management, 6120 Executive Blvd., Room 868, ATTN: Sheri Lawson, Bethesda, MD 20892. (b) If hand delivering, or using a courier service such as: UPS, Federal Express, etc., use the following City, State, and Zip Code: Rockville, MD 20852. Responses by Facsimile (FAX) will not be accepted. This market survey is being conducted through the CBD to reach the widest possible audience and to gather current market information. (0268)

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