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R -- SUPPORT FOR THE HUMAN GENE NOMENCLATURE COMMITTEE SOL RFP NLM 99-204/RMC DUE 061999 POC Robin M. Cummings, Contracting Officer 301/496-6546 It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to negotiate on a sole source basis pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 and U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with the University College London, London, United Kingdom, for a four-year cost reimbursement type contract with options for additional effort within each year for the support of the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) based at the University College London. The HGNC is the organization recognized by the genetics research community as the authoritative source for unique, descriptive, and consistent names for all human genes. The HGNC has been in existence for over twenty years and has been given authority by the international Human Genome Organization (HUGO) to promote standardized and systematic naming schemes for human genes. The HGNC creates and maintains online listings which are considered the officially sanctioned source for definitive names and symbols for human genes. As such, the HGNC is a critical resource for the Human Genome Project in establishing a systematic and comprehensive system of human gene nomenclature. Currently there are over 7,000 human genes described and about 70 new genes are registered every month, with the number expected to increase as the Human Genome Project maps and sequences the estimated 70,000 to 90,000 human genes. The HGNC will also provide a significant component of several information resources distributed from the NLM's National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), in support of the Human Genome Project including Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), UniGene and RefSeq databases. The services to be provided under this procurement will include: (1) establishing unique symbols for genes identified pre- and post-publication, both from scientific journals and sequence databases; (2) establishing and revising nomenclature to maintain consistency with other mammalian genomes as much as possible; (3) establishing and revising nomenclature in accordance with experts in gene families; and (4) curating the nomenclature in collaboration with OMIM and NCBI staff in an authoritative database at the NCBI. The HGNC's activities shall include, but not be limited to, handling queries and requests from individual scientists and database curators, scanning the literature for new information on human genes, negotiating with expert groups to develop consistent gene family nomenclature schemes, maintaining listings/databases of approved gene names and symbols, and publicizing the activities of the nomenclature committee in order to promote and facilitate sound nomenclature practices. The activity of nomenclature assignment requires PhD-level staff with significant experience in molecular biology, genetics, and taxonomic classification. Since the naming of genes often requires negotiations among several scientific groups, strong interpersonal skills and technical knowledge is demanded. Because the HGNC has extensive experience and specialized skills, has been mandated by the Human Genome Organization to serve as the sole, authoritative source for human gene nomenclature, and is recognized by the international molecular biology and genetics research community as the definitive body for creating and maintaining human gene nomenclature, it has been determined that the HGNC at the University College London is the only source capable of fulfilling NLM's and the research community's needs within the required timeframe. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NLM. See Numbered Notes 22 and 26. Posted 05/04/99 (W-SN327639). (0124)

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