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

A -- GULF WAR ILLNESSES RESEARCH: TOXICITY OF MILITARILY-RELEVANT HEAVY METALS SOL CBD-GWI-0202 POC Craig D. Lebo, Contracting Officer, 301-619-2036 The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command is soliciting proposals for studies on biological effects of heavy metals currently used or contemplated for use in armor and as armor penetrators. These include tungsten and tungsten alloys, depleted uranium, depleted uranium and titanium alloys, and oxidation products of these metals and their alloys. Inclusion of positive (e.g. lead) and negative (e.g. tantalum) controls should be considered in study designs. Outcomes of special interest include identification of mechanisms of injury to pulmonary, hepatic, renal, and nervous systems from particulate and solubilized forms; and localized soft tissue responses produced by embedded fragments (distinguishing foreign body, radiation, toxicological and acute phase responses). Exposures should be based on realistic scenarios, should consider current pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic knowledge of the metal or alloy under study, and could include epidemiological studies based on exposure models. 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-SN425880). (0047)

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