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 -- DEVELOPMENT OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS SOL NIH-NIDDK-99-435 DUE 041399 POC Bryan Salas (301) 594-8855 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) intends to acquire housing and maintenance services for chimpanzees on a sole source basis from Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, Texas 78245-0549. These services are for the development of Hepatitis C Virus-like particles as a candidate HCV vaccine in chimpanzees. The services shall include; (1) An AAALAC approved facility for performing the proposed experiments on chimpanzees and housing them for appropriate follow-up; (2) Infect/transfect animals; obtain and store bleedings as well as tissue specimens at appropriate temperatures; perform biopsies, ultrasound and other diagnostic procedures; and obtain other specimens which shall be examined for existence of infection and used for various studies; (3) Perform tests of liver enzyme(s) functions, routine blood and clinical chemistry analyses, and other serological markers and diagnostic tests relating to the development of complications of virus infection such as chronic disease and cancer; (4) Prepare, process and provide evaluation of liver and other tissue specimens including, but not limited to, (histo)pathology of liver to determine disease progression, growth and a variety of viral studies. and perform apheresis to obtain large volume of peripheral lymphocytes and plasma; (5) With approval, send the above tests to established laboratories for determination; (6) House all infected and experimental animals in isolation so that cross-infection or contamination of animals does not occur. Containment of experimental animals in isolation chambers shall be required for the duration of their protocols; and (7) Provide proper veterinary diet, water, electrolytes, and medication for all animals in accordance with the standard prescribed by appropriate Government guidelines and the Project Officer. This requirement will be provided for one year from date of award with two successive one-year option periods. The proposed contractor is the only source with the specific chimpanzees that are part of the NIH Primate Facilities, that have been approved for use by the NIH Interagency Animal Model Committee, and that are sanctioned for use by NIDDK. Interested vendors may identify in writing their interest with the capability statement to the Contracting Officer prior to the closing date of this notice. The Government will consider all responses received before the closing date of this announcement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition is based upon responses to this notice and is solely within the discretion of the Government. This notice is for the purchase of commercial services within the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of up to $5 million dollars. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. It is anticipated that Request for Quotation(RFQ) NIH-NIDDK-99-435 will be available fifteen (15) days after the publication date of this synopsis. Receipt of quotations will be due thirty (30) days after the release of the RFQ. The anticipated award date is April 23, 1999. Request for copies of the RFQ must be in writing and may be faxed to (301) 480-4226. Quotations must be submitted in writing to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, Room 6AN32, 45 Center Drive, MSC 6600, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6600. Attention: Bryan Salas (301-594-8855). Posted 02/24/99 (W-SN302040). (0055)

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