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 -- THE HEPATITIS ANIMAL MODEL NETWORK SOL RFP-NIH-NIAID-DMID-99-19 DUE 021299 POC Mr. Bruce E. Anderson, Contract Specialist, (301) 496-8371, E-Mail (ba9I@nih.gov), FAX 301-402-0972 The Enteric and Hepatic Diseases Branch (EHDB), Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), has a requirement for knowledgeable investigators to form a hepatitis research network to pursue creative and cooperative exploration using characterized hepatitis animal models. This is a two-part Statement of Work. One or more contracts will be awarded ; offerors may submit proposals for both parts or any one part. Part A, entitled "Animal Model Evaluation of Candidate Hepatitis Therapies", requires the Contractor to: (1) provide a well-characterized small mammalian model, (2) provide suitable and sufficient animals for experimental use both infected and non-infected, (3) develop and perform therapeutic protocols including pharmacokinetic, safety and/or efficacy, dose-finding, etc. (estimated at approximately 8 per year), (4) collect and store specimens, (5) transport animals/specimens if needed, (6) maintain the health of the animals, (7) establish electronic links with the Project Officer, (8) provide protocol progress reports in an established, timely way, (9) foment directed collaborations, (10) provide ready accessibility to the Project Officer, (11) be open to characterize emerging hepatitis viruses if requested by the Project Officer, (12) abide by confidentiality terms of therapeutic agreements with the Sponsors, (13) attend protocol meetings at NIH, (14) provide a transition plan for the movement of animals to/from the facility, and (15) assure safety and protection of laboratory personnel. The Part B, entitled "Integrated Animal Model Research Network" requires the Contractor to integrate research efforts in animal production/antiviral evaluations occurring under Part A and collaborate actively with other contractors participating in the network. This involves integration of information by Parts A and B into common databases. Specifically, the Contractor shall (1) coordinate an approach to study hepadnaviral disease in small animal models, (2) design experiments to study viral/host responses to infection leading to acute, recovery, and chronic states and antiviral resistance, (3) assist in therapeutic protocol design, (4) develop a plan to start work on an emerging virus if directed by Project Officer, (5) establish electronic link with the Project Officer, (6) prepare protocol reports for electronic submission, (7) foment directed collaborations, (8) abide by confidentiality terms of therapeutic agreements with the Sponsors, (9) attend protocol meetings at NIH, (10) provide a transition plan, and (11) assure safety and protection of laboratory personnel. RFP NIH-NIAID-DMID-99-19 will be available electronically on or about November 2, 1998, and may be accessed through the NIAID Contracts Management Branch (CMB) Home Page using the following address and instructions: NIAID CMB Home Page (via the World Wide Web) may be accessed using http://www.niaid.nih.gov/contracts/. Once you are at the NIAIDContracts Page, select "RFPs" and then select "RFP-NIH-NIAID-DMID-99-19." Please note that the RFP for this acquisition has been revised to include only the Work Statement, deliverable and reporting requirements, special requirements and mandatory qualifications, the Technical Evaluation Criteria, and 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. Responses to this RFP will be due on February 12, 1999. Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal that will be considered by the Government. The contract period will be for five (5) years, beginning on or about September 1, 1999. Subcontracting is permitted as noted in the work statement. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. Posted 10/16/98 (W-SN262900). (0289)

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