Contracts Management Branch, NICHD, National Institutes of Health, Executive Building, Suite 7A07, 6100 Executive Blvd MSC 7510, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7510

A -- IDENTIFICATION OF THE GENETIC DEFECT IN AFRICAN IRON OVERLOAD SOL SS-NICHD-IRP-97-01 POC Contact Mr. Charles Newman, 301-496-4611/Contract Specialist WEB: National Institutes of Health Home Page, http://www.nih.gov. E-MAIL: Charles Newman, newmanc@nih.gov. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has a requirement to continue a study of hemochromatosis in order to characterize the iron status and obtain DNA samples from members of African families who have been identified by index subjects with Iron Overload. The NICHD intends to award contracts of two years in duration, on a sole source basis, to both incumbent contractors, The University of Zimbabwe and The University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in order to complete the study. The current four year contracts with the two incumbent contractors are scheduled to expire on 29 September 1997. In an attempt to identify the genetic defect presumed present in this condition, the study will determine the chromosomal location of the iron overload locus in the participating families and examine the loci for proteins involved in intracellular iron metabolism. The proposed sources by virtue of their prior work in the identification of this condition and the establishment of specific cohorts of families that have been studied in Africa will best be able to continue to obtain DNA samples from members of the designated families. The proposed sources will continue to use the information and pedigrees that have been previously gathered on the established families to obtain the appropriate samples for the ongoing genetic studies to be conducted under the proposed follow-up contracs. Both sources will also continue to identify new families for participation in the study, based on the index subjects with iron overload. The NICHD plans to award two year follow-up contracts to both incumbent contractors using other than full and open competition in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 252 C (1), FAR 6.302-1 and HHSAR 306.302-1. The purpose of this synopsis is to determine whether there are other sources capable of meeting the Government's requirements as described. Capability statements should be submitted within 45 days of publication of this synopsis to Mr. Charles Newman, NIH, NICHD, CMB, Executive Building, Room 7A07, 6100 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7510 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7510 and should include details specifying how this work would be performed. See numbered Note 22. (0070)

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