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

R -- CREATE AND DOCUMENT A NEW TESTING PROTOCOL WITH AN AMPHIBIAN (XENOPUS LAEVIS) SOL SOL XE0105 DUE 081198 POC Ramona G. Evans, Contracting Officer (919/541-4749) E-MAIL: CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER VIA, EVANS.RAMONA@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV.. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to negotiate a sole source simplified acquisition with the College of Arts and Sciences, Oklahoma State University, to develop and document a test method protocol with an amphibian (Xenopus laevis). The new protocol will be used for regulatory programs to screen endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The U.S. Congress has mandated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develop screening methods for EDCs within a specific time-frame, which requires this protocol to be developed and documented by August, 1999. A Xenopus tail resorption protocol for screening chemicals that could disrupt thyroid function is one of the protocols that must be completed by August, 1999. The purpose of this acquisition is to develop and document the Xenopus tail resorption protocol, which is anticipated to be a 7 to 14-day assay. An expert assessment and analysis of published methods on culturing and testing Xenopus will be used to prepare the protocol. In addition, testing of 4 compounds will be undertaken as part of the protocol development. The completed protocol must be written in a format consistent with other EPA testing guidelines. The recipient of this work, therefore, must have extensive experience in three areas: (1) maintaining, handling and testing metamorphosing Xenopus life stages (Stages 60-66); (2) using Xenopus in tests with a wide variety of chemicals; and (3) critically reviewing and summarizing aquatic toxicology literature (data and methods) in documents suitable for EPA regulatory needs. The period of performance is expected to be from date of award through July 13, 1999. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. EPA believes that the College of Arts and Sciences of Oklahoma State University is the only vendor capable of satisfying the technical and time requirements stated above. No solicitation is available. This notice of intent is nota request for competitive proposals. All interested parties must identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals within 15 days of the date of this announcement. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested vendors shall: (1) include information on the proposed services which clearly supports the requirements outlined above; and, (2) provide itemized pricing that is sufficient to make a determination that competition is feasible. Submit response to the U.S. EPA, Attn: Ramona G. Evans, ORD Service Center/NHEERL, Contracts Management Division (MD-33), Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711. No telephone requests will be honored. See also numbered Note 26. Posted 07/24/98 (W-SN228295). (0205)

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