National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Contract Management Branch, Solar Building, Room 3C07, 6003 Executive Blvd., MSC 7610, Rockville, MD 20892

A -- NIH-AIDS RESEARCH AND REFERENCE REAGENT PRORAM" SOL RFP-NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-98-03 DUE 042397 POC Bruce E. Anderson, Contracting Officer, 301-496-8371, fax # 402-0972, ba9i@nih.gov The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) ) has a requirement to operate and maintain the AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program (AIDS Reagent Program). The AIDS Reagent Program is a versatile resource to the international AIDS research community. The AIDS Reagent Program acquires state-of-the-art HIV/AIDS-related reagents, produces reagents and standardized panels and protocols, and then provides these reagents to qualified investigators throughout the world. The AIDS Reagent Program also collects information about HIV/AIDS-related reagents and standards and disseminates this information through print, World Wide Web, and wet workshops. Additionally, the AIDS Reagent Program enhances technology transfer through development and publication of methods, facilitates commercial development of reagents through proactive communication with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and participates as an AIDS Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization. During thepast four (4) years, the AIDS Reagent Program has provided over 30,000 reagents to investigators in 33 countries. Currently, the AIDS Reagent Program has approximately 127,000 samples of reagents stored at 24 degrees C, at 2 to 8 degrees C, at -10 to -- -20 degrees C, at -70 to -90 degrees C, and at liquid nitrogen conditions. It is anticipated that the number of reagent samples will increase approximately 15% annually, and that 700 reagents will be shipped monthly, involving approximately 170 shipments, of which 15% may be to overseas locations in industrialized and developing countries. Approximately 25 incoming shipments of reagents per month will be received. The number of reagents is expected to reach approximately 385,000 during the life of the new contract. The offeror must have storage space for approximately 500 cubic feet at low temperatures as well as the capacity for retrieving, aliquoting and shipping approximately 700 reagents per month. Successful operation, management and coordinationof the activities of the AIDS Reagent Program requires: (1) knowledge, experience and demonstrated competence in: (a) identification, prioritization, and acquisition of reagents from domestic and international sources; and (b) reagent production, quality control, and storage; (2) knowledge, experience and competence in packaging/shipping biohazardous and etiologic agents both nationally and internationally; and experience in procuring the appropriate import/export licenses and permits; (3) staff with scientific and managerial experience to coordinate effectively and efficiently the operation of the AIDS Reagent Program through interaction with the AIDS research community including biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, technology transfer officials, and the Division of AIDS, NIAID; (4) ability to work with the incumbent Contractor to safely and efficiently transfer operation of the current AIDS Reagent Program to a new location; (5) information technology experience in maintaining and updatinginformation on: (a) World Wide Web including a catalog of reagents and newsletter; and (b) a database system to track all information that relates to the activities of the AIDS Reagent Program, including an inventory of reagents, shipment and receiving of reagents, and assay information; (6) personnel with documented experience in operating an organization of comparable size and complexity to the AIDS Reagent Program; the proposed P.I. should have equivalent of a Ph.D. and postdoctoral research experience in biological sciences in order to identify AIDS reagents and to provide expert technical assistance to the DAIDS, NIAID; (7) staff with writing and editorial experience to prepare a catalogue, newsletter and promotional literature; and (8) availability of adequate facilities, equipment and resources necessary to operate, maintain and expand the AIDS Reagent Program; facilities to receive and store hazardous and infectious agents, and maintain their activity and viability (must have P2 facility and currentradioactive materials license); compliance with all standards of safety, guidelines and regulations, including training and monitoring of personnel for exposure to infectious and hazardous reagents. Note: Some Government-owned equipment will be available for transfer under the current contract (several low temperature freezers and computer software). Site visits may be required to determine the adequacy of the facilities and resources. While subcontracting is permitted, the reagent acquisition effort, storage and distribution of reagents, and management of the AIDS Reagent Program must be performed by the Prime contractor. The Government must have direct oversight of this contract in order to ensure quality control and safe handling and distribution of the reagents, many of which are biohazardous and infectious (including HIV). The Prime contractor is responsible for all work performed. Under the current contract, reagent production, assays and evaluation of reagents are subcontracted out. It is anticipated that one (1) cost reimbursement, level-of-effort type contract will be awarded for a period of seven (7) years, beginning approximately November 20, 1997. RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-98-03 will be available electronically on or about January 24, 1997, and may be accessed through the NIH Gopher and/or the Internet by using the following electronic mail addresses and instructions: 1) NIH Gopher: Point your Gopher client to GOPHER.NIH.GOV Port 70 (you should now be in the NIH Gopher). Select "Grant and Research Information"; select "R&D Request for Proposals (RFP)"; select "RFPs Available"; select "NIAID"; and select "RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIDS-98-03". 2) Internet: The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address is gopher://gopher.nih.gov:70/11/res/rd-rfp. Please note that the RFP for this acquisition has been revised to include only the Work Statement, deliverable and reporting requirements, special requirements and mandatory qualification, if any, the Technical Evaluation Criteria, and proposal preparation instructions. All information required for the submission of an offer will be contained in the electronic RFP package. Following proposal submission and the initial review process, offerors comprising the competitive range will be requested to provide additional documentation to the Contracting Officer. Responses to this RFP will be due on April 24, 1997. Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Government. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. Point of Contact: Bruce E. Anderson, Contracting Officer, Electronic Mail Address: ba9i@nih.gov, Telephone: (301) 496-8371, Fax: (301) 402-0972 (0009)

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