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

B -- NIMH CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS PROGRAM SOL n/a POC Contracting Officer, David Eskenazi or Patricia Gibbons, (301) 443-2696 The National Institute of Mental Health anticipates the procurement of services to support the NIMH Chemical Synthesis Program. The goals of the program are to synthesize and distribute essential compounds that are otherwise unavailable to the scientific research community to stimulate research on the molecular pharmacology and signal transduction mechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) receptors, molecular, biochemical, and behavioral actions of psychoactive drugs, and the development of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of mental disorders. The resultant contract will provide chemical synthesis of selective ligands for CNS receptor subtypes, ion channel modulators, signal transduction agents, peptides, small molecules, and unlabeled precursors for use in neuroimaging as requested by NIMH-approved private and public investigators. The purpose of the resultant contract will be to synthesize approximately 15-20 NIMH-approved compounds per year, store and maintain new and existing compounds in a the NIMH Chemical Synthesis Inventory, maintain an electronic database of compounds with specificity information, and distribute 100-300 compounds to NIMH-approved private and public investigators. Interested sources shall demonstrate the capability to carry out intermediate scale (10-1000 g) multi-step chemical syntheses (GMP and non-GMP), automated peptide synthesis, separation of enantiomers, preparation of families of structural analogs, purification of compounds, and documentation of chemical properties by analytic methods. Given that this is a highly technical endeavor, the contractor shall demonstrate prior experience and expertise in intermediate scale (10-1000 g) chemical synthesis (GMP and non-GMP) of selective ligands for the following receptors of interest: 1) neuropeptides, 2) dopamine, serotonin, adrenergic, 3) metabotropic glutamate, ionotropic glutamate, GABA, glycine, 4) adenosine, benzodiazepine, opioid, and 5) ion channel modulators. This shall be documented by publication of the method of chemical synthesis of the chemicals specified above, or a modification of an existing procedure, in peer-reviewed scientific journals by the interested source, or by another individual/organization which used source data generated by the interested source as the basis for a peer-reviewed scientific publication. The demonstrated evidence should specify current or past contracts or research grants for related requirements, and the qualifications, availability, and experience of the professional and technical personnel necessary to perform contract requirements. Statements should be limited to ten (10) pages, exclusive of resumes and information about previous or current contracts/grants. Statements should include resumes of key individuals to be responsible for day-to-day contract requirements and assurances of their availability. 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 April 1, 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 days after receipt of statements from interested offerors. Statements shall be sent or 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. (0075)

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