National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Contracts Management Branch, 6100 Bldg., Suite 7A07, 6100- Executive Blvd MSC 7510, Bethesda, MD 20892-7510

A -- FOLATE-NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS PROJECT SOL SS NICHD-DESPR-97-JM POC Lynn Salo, Contract Specialist 301-496-4611, Harvey Shifrin, Contracting Officer, 301-496-4611 WEB: National Institutes of Health, http://www.nih.gov. E-MAIL: National Institutes of Health, salol@hd01.nichd.nih.gov. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is planning to extend the period of performance of the NICHD/Health Research Board of Ireland Neural Tube Defects Study. The Health Research Board of Dublin, Ireland recieved an award (N01-HD-2-3163) to conduct an NICHD study to demonstrate how folate supplements reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects in a high risk population. The Health Research Board has developed a unique, geographically-based study of women who have had blood samples collected during pregnancies that produced infants with neural tube defects. The proposed extension will expand on previously conducted biochemical and genetic investigations. Any organization that has: 1) a geographically-based sample of women who are not using vitamin supplements on whom blood has been collected during pregnancies resulting in neural tube defect offspring, 2) blood samples from subjects with neural tube defects and first degree relatives, 3) genetic data relevant to neural tube defects, specifically methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genetyping, for families with other neural tube defect members, and 4) the capability of conducting other genetic investigations should submit a statment of capabilities with documentation supporting its ability to meet the government's requirements and be able to continue this project. The purpose of this synopsis is to determine whether there are other sources with the requisite qualifications to perform the work as described. Capability statements should be submitted within 45 days of the publication of this synopsis to: Mrs. Lynn Salo, Contract Specialist, CMB, OAM, NICHD, NIH, 6100 Executive Building, Room 7A07, 9000 Rockville Pike, MIC 7510, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7510. (See Numbered Note 22) (0265)

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