U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Contracts Management Division (MD-33), Attn: ORDSC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

A -- PATHOLOGY SERVICES SUPPORT POC Robin J. Traylor, Contract Specialist, 919-541-3830, Barbara Stearrett, Contracting Officer, 919-541-3113 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contract specialist via e-mail., traylor.rob@epamail.epa.gov. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a current contract, No. 68D30024, with Pathology Associates International Corporation. This is a cost-plus-fixed-fee, level of effort contract in its final option year under which the contractor provides technical support for veterinary pathology. The current contract expires on May 20, 1998. It is anticipated that a new competitive follow-on contract will be awarded by July 30, 1998. However, the Agency has a requirement for the completion of one (1) chronic carcinogenesis study of the effect of arsenicals in the wild-type and p53-deficient mouse model which started in July and August 1997. Work remaining to be done includes a full screen necropsy of the study animals and preparation of tissues for histopathology with histopathological assessments to follow. It is essential to EPA that there be uniform evaluation over the course of related studies to ensure consistency of interpretation. Consistent interpretation will allow EPA to perform a direct comparison to related studies previously completed during the five year period covered by the contract. Therefore, the Government intends to extend the period of performance of the current contract for 7 months from May 20, 1998 to December 19, 1998, to allow for the continuation and completion of this critical ongoing work. The Government's best estimate of the labor hours required to complete the existing work during the extension is 940 hours. No additional hours under the existing level of effort contract are required, only a time extension. Only the incumbent contractor has the knowledge and "know-how" to complete the on-going work without an extensive start-up period. It would not be practicable for the Government to substitute a replacement contractor(s) during the extension period due to the limited time work is needed, and the expense of multiple transitions. The work to be completed during this time period requires the same expertise and qualifications as is currently required to perform the work assignmentsunder the contract. Interested parties who believe they can provide the required services are invited to submit, in writing, an affirmative response demonstrating an ability to immediately assume the on-going project without disruption to the current operations and demonstrating a cost benefit to the Government in view of the short period of performance and the ongoing recompetition. Any written response must be received no later than 15 days after publication of this synopsis. In order to be responsive, the correspondence must be accompanied by a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information sufficient to permit agency analysis in order to determine a bonafide capability to meet the Government's requirements. Responses without the required documentation will be considered non-responsive. This is NOT a formal notice of solicitation. No telephone or facsimile request will be honored. (0119)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0005 19980501\A-0005.SOL)