National Institute of Mental Health, Contracts Management Branch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rm. 9C-15, Rockville, MD, 20857-8030

A -- PEDIATRIC BRAIN MRI DATABASE AND STUDY OF NORMAL DEVELOPMENT: CENTRAL COORDINATING SITE POC Contracting Officer, David Eskenazi or Patricia Gibbons, (301) 443-2696 The National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are seeking sources having the capability to serve as a central coordinating site for the purpose of organizing a network of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition and data analysis sites and supervising a multicenter study. Approximately five to ten sites are expected to participate in this project which seeks to study normal brain development. The coordinating site will play a key role in assisting the Institutes in the planning, organizing and conducting the multicenter study, taking primary responsibility for providing scientific expertise and quality control in all phases of the anticipated multicenter study. The study will recruit a representative community sample of normal children who will be studied with brain MRI scans and behavioral measures. State-of- the-art automated computer software will be selected, developed and used to analyze the MRI images and to characterize normal development using sophisticated quantitative measures. A data sharing plan will be developed, and raw data, analytic software and results of data analyses will be made available to extramural researchers. Critical to this effort will be the role of the coordinating center in evaluating and developing highly automated image analysis software and insuring the homogeneity or comparability of data (both behavioral data and imaging data) collected across sites and across a time period of approximately five years. Thus, the central coordinating center must have knowledge and expertise in the following areas: (1) MRI hardware, software and acquisition sequences, (2) the design, creation and implementation of state-of-the-art MRI image analysis using automated computer software, (3) developmental neuroanatomy, (4) the transfer from multiple sites and processing of large MRI data sets, (5) insuring comparability of data across machines and time, and (6) statistical expertise as applied to MRI research. The coordinating site must have the scientific expertise and ability to resolve contentious issues regarding approaches and equipment used to acquire magnetic resonance imaging data. Interested organizations should submit a capability statement of approximately ten (10) pages (exclusive of resumes) addressing the requirements outlined above. Respondents should supply the following information: (1) Organizational experience: Provide examples of actual work performed within the last three years which demonstrate experience in coordinating large-scale multicenter MRI research endeavors. (2) Personnel: Document the expertise of personnel that are available and in place for each of the six areas listed above. (3) Facilities and equipment: Provide information of your organization's facilities and equipment that are available and in place to meet the above requirements. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, and respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation of information submitted. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this synopsis or the Government's use of such information as part of the evaluation process or in developing specifications or any subsequent requirement. Responses shall also indicate if the interested source is a small or large business, a non-profit entity, 8(a) certified, and/or woman owned. All responses received from interested sources by March 26,1998 shall be considered by the Government. Based upon the evaluation of responses to this announcement, the Government reserves the right to set aside this acquisition. The Government anticipates release of an RFP approximately 30 after receipt of statements from interested offerors. Statements shall be sentor delivered to the National Institute of Mental Health, Attn: Contract Officer, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9C-15, Rockville, Md. 20857. Facsimile responses will be accepted, so long as they do not exceed twenty (20) pages in length. Email statements, sent to de5d@nih.gov shall also be accepted. This announcement if for informational and planning purposes only. It does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. (0069)

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