National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

A -- COLLECTION OF BLOOD AND PROSTATIC TISSUE SAMPLES SOL NCI-RFQ-90189-NV DUE 091399 POC Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent, (301) 402-4509, Todd Cole, Contracting Officer (301) 402-4509 The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics plans to procure the services of the George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20037, for the collection of blood and prostatic tissue from minority population men for future epidemiologic studies in order to gain an understanding of the role of hormones in prostate cancer etiology. Although compelling evidence from laboratory studies suggests that androgens play a major role in prostate carcinogenesis, epidemiologic studies in humans (almost exclusively serologic studies) have not been able to confirm the hormonal hypothesis. The major limitation in these serologic studies may stem from the difficulty in measuring androgenicity directly at the target site, the prostate. If circulating hormones do not reflect intraprostatic hormone levels or androgenicity, it is not clear how results should be interpreted from serum/plasma measurements, and it is unlikely that future serologic studies can clarify further the role of hormones in prostate cancer etiology. To gain further insights and to provide directions for future epidemiologic studies, NCI proposes to have George Washington University (GWU) conduct a study to collect venous blood and prostatic tissue from up to 200 minority population patients undergoing prostatic surgery. This will enable NCI to gain a better understanding of the role of hormones in prostate etiology, particularly with regard to racial variation. GWU, using its established coordinating network with local hospitals, shall identify and screen eligible patients based on appropriate factors (e.g., age, race, hormone treatment prior to prostatectomy); shall identify surgical date of potential subjects and make arrangements for specimen collection with participating hospitals; and collect 30-ml of fasting blood into three vacutainers and 6 pieces of fresh prostatic tissue from each study subject. Collected blood must be delivered to Biotech (an NCI contractor), Rockville, Maryland for processing within 2 hours and collected tissue delivered to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D. C. within 2 hours for the cutting of frozen sections, and returned to participating hospitals within 24 hours for pathology review. GWU is the only school of Public Health known in the local area with extensive experience in conducting epidemiologic studies and collecting biospecimens, particularly prostatic tissue. They have successfully conducted similar studies and possess in-depth knowledge and experience in epidemiologic studies and prostatic tissue especially in the areas of subject recruitment, specimen collection, and specimen processing. Since the data from a previous piolet study can be compared with this new project requirement, a change in the coordinating center would jeopardize the compatibility of results between the two studies by introducing new variables. Also, GWU is the only known organization that has an extensive network and affiliations with other health organizations and clinics. Additionally, a diverse group of people undergoing prostatectomy can be readily recruited from the D.C. metropolitan area with enough mixture of African Americans and Hispanic Americans. This is not a request for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the above work, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform this requirement. The organization performing this study must have documented experience in the collection of blood and prostatic tissue; have an established network with health organizations to obtain diverse study subjects from a similar geographical area; have a means to prevent introducing new variables between the previous pilot and this final study; and have the ability to get collected blood to Biotech (an NCI contractor) within the required time frame. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 2:00 p.m. EST, on September 13, 1999. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Moore, Purchasing Agent on (301) 402-4509. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Posted 08/23/99 (W-SN370955). (0235)

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