National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Contract Management Branch, Solar Bldg., Room 3C07, 6003 Executive Blvd. MSC 7610, Bethesda, MD 20892-7610

A -- APPLICATION OF DATA ON HLA AND CD1 TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF VACCINES SOL RFP-NIH-NIAID-DAIT-BAA-99-04 DUE 071498 POC Ms. Cynthia W. Cotter, Contracting Officer, 301-402-0641 The Basic Immunology Branch, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), promotes and supports a broad range of research projects on basic mechanisms of immune function, including studies on the immunological basis of vaccines. One of the central requirements for effective vaccines is the activation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes, which function in promoting antibody responses and in clearance of the microbial pathogen. T cell recognition of antigen is complex, requiring that antigen be presented by specialized molecules found on antigen-presenting cells. In humans, these are the HLA class I and class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex, and the CD1 family of molecules. Research is needed to clarify the mechanisms by which antigen-presenting molecules regulate T cell responses, and to use this information to develop vaccines. The focus of this BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT is on basic research that willincrease our understanding of the function of human antigen presenting molecules HLA and CD1 in immune responses to infectious agents or vaccine antigens, and that will apply this knowledge to the development of safe and effective new vaccines, or to the improvement of existing vaccines. The areas of research shall include one or more of the following: Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of the interaction of human HLA and CD1 with antigens. Studies that link and analyze infectious disease susceptibility or resistance with a) specific HLA molecules or b) characteristic antigens presented by HLA class I, class II, or CD1 molecules. Streamlining the discovery and identification of T cell epitopes of disease-causing pathogens. Development of robust methods for the detection and quantitative measurement of a) specific ligand-HLA or CD1 complexes, or of b) T cells specific for defined HLA or CD1 complexes. This requirement is intended to address the application of knowledge of human antigen presenting molecules as related to human T cell recognition, for the purpose of improving the efficacy and safety of human vaccines. Proposals to use non-human restricting elements (i.e. those of other animals) will not be considered for award. It is anticipated that 2-5 cost-reimbursement contracts covering one or more of the Research Areas listed above will be awarded for a period of five (5) years. RFP NIH-NIAID-DAIT-BAA-99-04 will be available electronically on or about 3-23-98 and may be accessed through the NIAID Contract Management Branch (CMB) Home Page, by using the following electronic address and instructions: NIAID/CMB Home Page (via the World Wide Web): Access by: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/contract and select the "RFPs" link. Please note that the RFP for this procurement has been revised to include only the Research and Technical Objectives, deliverable and reporting requirements, special requirements, and mandatory qualifications, if any, the Technical Evaluation Criteria, and the 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. Proposals in response to this RFP will be due on 7-14-98. 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: Cyndie Cotter, Contracting Officer Electronic Mail Address: cc41w@nih.gov Telephone: 301-402-0641 FAX: 301-402-0972 No collect calls will be accepted. (0062)

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