Director, USAMRAA, 820 Chandler St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5014

A -- GULF WAR ILLNESSES RESEARCH: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF DEPLOYMENT HEALTH MONITORING METHODS SOL CBD-GWI-0201 POC Craig D. Lebo, Contracting Officer, 301-619-2036 The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command is soliciting proposals for epidemiological studies to fill critical knowledge gaps for monitoring soldier health during deployments. Threats to health during deployments might include psychological stress, toxic chemical exposures, environmental stressors, and infectious agents. Regardless of etiology, physiologically-based methods to assess health consequences of a deployment, through a demonstrated change in health, are the focus of this solicitation. Human studies are specifically sought in four topic areas: (1) psychological health status, including establishment of mental health baselines of military populations; (2) practical methods for large scale studies to assess changes in male and female reproductive fertility; (3) clinical illness associated with high frequency of deployments or perceived stress of deployments; and (4) coping strategies used by military personnel to alleviate symptoms associated with Gulf War deployment (e.g., alcohol; complimentary and alternative medicine). Projects are required to have a strong biological basis (i.e., objective measurements instead of subjective/questionnaire assessments). Proposals must provide a clear justification and military relevance. Submission of preliminary data is encouraged. Collaborations with DoD medical researchers are encouraged. Awards are expected to average $200K per year for up to four years of support. A total of approximately $5M will be made available for studies in this topic. Proposals should be submitted according to general instructions contained in the Broad Agency Announcement 99-1 (see http://www-usamraa.army.mil). Preproposals are not required; letters of intent (LOI) containing a proposed title, brief description of project scope (<150 words), and investigator and institution identification are due by 14 June 2000. These LOI will be used to plan the review process. Do NOT expect a response to your LOI. Full proposals are due no later than 4 p.m., EST, 26 July 2000. Send letters of intent and proposals to: Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, ATTN: GWIRP2000, 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5014. Posted 02/16/00 (W-SN425877). (0047)

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