BDR Contracts Section, COB, DEA, NHLBI 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC C 7902, Bethesda, MD 20892-7902

A -- RETROVIRUS EPIDEMIOLOGY DONOR STUDY (REDS)-MEDICAL COORDINATING CENTER SOL RFP NHLBI-HB-98-06 POC Joann a. Ciufolo, Contracting Officer, 301-435-0359 The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute intends to negotiate a sole source procurement with Westat, Inc. (N01-HB-97082) to continue as the Medical Coordinating Center for the Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study (REDS). The new contract will continue the analysis of data from epidemiologic studies of human retroviruses in volunteer blood donors. The period of performance of the continuation contract is expected to be five years, July 17, 1998 through July 16, 2003. Only the long-term evaluatio n of blood donors within REDS will permit the analysis of important variables including changes in donor demographics, changes in test patterns, the impact of new screening assays, the frequency of donation, and a variety of other useful parameters. Selection of a different medical coordinating center would present a major disruption to operation of the study and analytical activities, and significant time would be lost to start-up activities of a new contractor. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to provide important information such as current estimates of infectious disease markers. The authority to use other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as set forth in FAR 6.302-1(b)(1). The incumbent has the unique capability to provide the required services to the NHLBI without substantive duplication of cost and unacceptable delays. See Numbered Note: 22. (0238)

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