National Institutes of Health, Division of Research Contracts, OCM/OA/OD, 6100 Executive Blvd., MSC 7540, Room 6E01, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7540

A -- CALORIE RESTRICTION AND LONGEVITY IN RHESUS MONKEYS SOL NIH-AG-00-03 POC Donna M. Spicer, Contracting Officer, 301-496-4487 E-MAIL: Donna M. Spicer, ds319h@nih.gov. The National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Gerontology Research Center, is seeking qualified companies to conduct a long-term study of the effects of calorie restriction (CR) on life span and selected biological markers related to aging in rehesus monkeys. The study will consist of approximately equal number of male(70) and female(70) control (ad libitum-fed, AL) and CR monkeys. CR will be initiated in young adult animals that have attained puberty but are not older than 8 years of age. Animals must be isolated at feeding time to permit adquate control over food intake. At all other times monkeys will be housed in small social groups. In addition to life table analyses, other relevant data will be collected from colony animals including body weight and composition (fat, lean, and bone mass), health status, reproductive cycling and fecundity. Blood samples and other biological materials including DNA, urine, and feces shall also be collected for additional studies or for banking. This study is intended to be an expansion of existing NIA-supported studies in CR in Poolesville, Maryland. As such, the proposed study shall be conducted at a site within one and one-half hours driving distance from Poolesville or Baltimore, Maryland. Also, the offerors facility must be accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), and must provide an animal welfare asurance from the Office of Protestion from Research Risks (OPRR)prior to contract award. Experimental intervention will be minimized to permit accurate estimation of life span effects. The work shall be done in the following two phases: Phase I Procure 140 monkeys (70 males and 70 females) prior to initiation of CR. Duration of Phase I will not exceed three years and it is expected that all animals necessary for the study will be procured. As monkeys are procured, preparations for Phase II should begin and will include monitoring of tuberculosis and health status, formation of social groups and development of feeding and housing strategies. On reaching the required number of monkeys, no more animals will be added to the colony. Phase II Activities in Phase II are subdivided into housing, feeding, health monitoring, data collection, database, banking of biologicals, data summary and reporting, additional studies. Phase II will be subdivided into 2 periods. Period one will involve randomization of monkeys into control and calorie restricted (CR) experimental groups. Also, during period one adjustment of intake levels for CR monkeys will be completed. Period two constitutes the long-term CR portion of the study. It is anticipated that a cost-reimbursement, completion type contract will be awarded for a 10 year period. The solicitation is scheduled to be issued on or about January 6, 2000. Proposals will be due fifty-five days after the date of issuance of the solicitation. THE SOLICITATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT AT THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE (http://ocm.od.nih.gov/drc/rfp.htm) NO HARD COPIES WILL BE PROVIDED. OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUTINELY CHECKING THIS WEB SITE FOR ANY POSSIBLE SOLICITATION AMENDMENTS THAT MAY BE ISSUED. NO INDIVIDUAL NOTIFICATION OF ANY AMENDMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED. NO COLLECT CALL WILL BE ACCEPTED. All responsible companies may submit a proosal which will be considered by the Government. See Numbered Note 26. Posted 12/20/99 (W-SN409986). (0354)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0008 19991222\A-0008.SOL)