National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Acquisition Management Branch, Natcher Building, 45 Center Dr., MSC 6600, Room 6AN32, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6600

A -- STUDY OF VIRUS-HOST INTERATION OF HEPADNAVIRUS X-ANTIGEN SOL NIH-NIDDK-RFQ-99-407 DUE 121898 POC Marlene Mireles, Contract Specialist 301-594-8831 The National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has a requirement for the services of a contractor to provide a facility for performing proposed experiments on woodchucks with the mutant WHV and housing them for appropriate follow-up. This project is designed to study the biological functions of WHxAg in the replication and pathogenesis of WHV infection. The specific objectives are to assess the effects of a series of WHx mutations on viral replication and productive infection in vivo and to study virus-host interactions associated with WHV infection. It is anticipated that eight (8) mutants will be tested this year. The mutants are generated by standard recombinant molecular techniques and will be tested both in tissue culture and animal for replication and productive infection. Approximately twenty-four (24) woodchucks will be needed to test these mutants. The woodchucks must be bred in established experimental facilities. They must be healthy with normal physical examination, normal CBCs and biochemical tests, and they must be tested negative for WHV serology. The woodchucks must be infected by intrahepatic injection of WHV DNA through standard surgical procedure. The woodchucks must be housed in isolation to prevent horizontal spread of infection. The woodchucks must be monitored closely with weekly blood tests, monthly liver biopsy, and additional biochemical and molecular tests for research purpose. The contractor must have an AAALAC-approved woodchuck colony. It is estimated that this project will require a Base Year (twelve (12) months) with two (2) successive twelve (12) month option periods. The Standard Industrial Classification Code is 8731, and the business size standard is 500. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be within the Simplified Acquisition Threshold for Commercial Purchases up to $5 million. It is anticipated that Request for Quote (RFQ) NIH-NIDDK-99-407 will be available fifteen (15) days after the publication date of this synopsis, receipt of quotations will be due ten (10) days after the release of the RFQ. The anticipated award date is January 7, 1999. Requests for copies of the RFQ must be in writing and may be faxed to 301-480-4226. Quotations must be in writing along with the company name, address, telephone number and fax number to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Natcher Building, Room 6AN32, 45 Center Drive MSC 6600, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6600, Attention: Ms. Marlene Mireles. Fax quotation will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. Posted 11/19/98 (W-SN273083). (0323)

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