88 -- NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR SPECIFIC HARLAN SPRAGUE GUINEA PIGS The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Morgantown, WV, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Harlan Sprague Dawley, Indianapolis, IN to supply specific virus free Sprague Dawley guinea pigs for one year with four option years. Approximately 5 years ago, we obtained animals from the different United States suppliers of specific pathogen free guinea pigs for research purposes and subjected them to rigorous testing using our experimental protocols for dose-response analysis of airway reactivity. It took several months to complete this evaluation, during which our other research efforts stopped. We observed marked differences in both the dose-response curves and in the degree of airway inflammation in the guinea pigs from the different suppliers. Of the suppliers examined, those from Harlan Sprague had lungs and airways that were the least inflamed. In addition, the tracheas from the Harlan animals demonstrated that the integrity of the trachael epithelium was best with regard to its ability to regulate reactivity. The results determined that the guinea pigs from the different suppliers are not equivalent physiologically, pharmacologically, or pathologically. The Harlan guinea pigs were selected for our experiments. Over the years, we have expanded the scope of our investigations with these animals into additional areas of investigation. Therefore, both our baseline data and the results of treatment of the animals with occupational agents have been acquired with Harlan guinea pigs from this same location. To change suppliers now in the middle of our projects, after having established all of our findings with the Harlan animals from a specific location, would be deleterious because the results would no longer be reproducible or consistent with the past results. As long as we continue to follow the same research trail (occupational asthma), we need to continue to use animals from the same location to maintain our scientific credibility. If we begin to work in other organ systems or start new and different research areas, we would again need to evaluate whether these animals or others would be the best animal to use. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties who believe that they are capable of providing guinea pigs that are physiologically, pharmacologically, or pathologically equivalent to those already in use should submit within 15 days from publication of this notice, specific factual data and other supporting evidence, which can be used as an evaluation basis to determine competence to successfully meet our requirement. All proposals received within the 15 day period will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Technical responses will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement action. This notice is issued for information purposes only. Questions may be directed to Brenda Goodwin at 304/285-5882 or fax at 304/285-6083. Posted 07/08/99 (W-SN351643).

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