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R -- PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES SOL NLM 99-104/UHP DUE 072999 POC Uyen H. Phuong (301) 496-6127 E-MAIL: karen_riggs@nlm.nih.gov, uyen_phuong@nlm.nih.gov. It is the intent of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR), to procure professional services on a sole source basis with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Center for Alternatives for Animal Testing (CAAT), 111 Market Place, Suite 840, Baltimore, MD 21202, to create a clearinghouse services for investigators and for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) to utilize in meeting the requirements to consider alternatives to the use of animals. The clearinghouse will provide users with the capability to search multiple databases at one time, and in addition, information already existing on the CAAT Altweb site. The service will also provide guidance to users on how to perform effective alternative searches. The contractor will: 1) identify every potential data resource for the clearinghouse, including but not limited to Toxline, Medline, Agricola, and PREX; material available on the Altweb site will be included; 2) determine the resources currently accessible via the Web and Internet protocols; and track those that are not so that they may be added if they become accessible; 3) determine the search criteria, diagnostic, and features of each of the chosen resources; 4) program, test and hone the search interface and process; add new resources as they become Web and Internet accessible; 5) develop guidance for users so that they may conduct efficient and effective searches. CAAT Altweb site, is the most comprehensive Internet site for information regarding animal use alternatives. CAAT is uniquely poised to immediately implement a utility on its site that will search across all the currently existing, Web accessible alternative information resources to further aid scientists in performing required alternative searches. The search utility will have the capability for future customization, incorporating emerging Web search techniques such as online thesauri, knowledge hierarchies, and fuzzy logic. The end-goal is to create a search utilitythat leads investigators and IACUCs to alternative information that is highly relevant to the research that they are conducting, and that fulfills the stipulations of requiring researchers to perform an alternative search. CAAT has, or can readily acquire, the resources to create this much-needed service within an thirty-day period. In addition, following the creation of the Altweb clearinghouse service, CAAT is committed to independently updating and maintaining the service. This notice of intent is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ) nor is an RFQ available, however, all responsible and responsive sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NIH, OPRR. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide professional service as specified and listed above. Responses should sufficiently demonstrate the firm's ability to meet the government's requirements. Responses are required within fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this notice. NLM synopsis No. NLM 99-104/UHP. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Uyen H. Phuong, Lead Purchasing Agent, NLM on (301) 496-6127. Posted 07/13/99 (W-SN353580). (0194)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0067 19990715\R-0004.SOL)