National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Natcher Building, Room 5AS-13A, 45 Center Drive, MSC 6500, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6500

A -- CONTINUATION OF A RESEARCH REGISTRY FOR SCLERODERMA SOL NIH-NIAMS-00-003 DUE 042000 POC Eileen Webster-Cissel, 301/594-2543 E-MAIL: ew52c@nih.gov, ew52c@nih.gov. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Wayne State University to extend and expand the scope of their current contract for an additional five years. The Wayne State University was originally awarded a contract for a five year period in September 1994 for a project entitled "Research Registry for Scleroderma." The purpose was to establish a population-based registry for systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma) in southeastern Michigan. A major focus was to establish a cohort of incident cases for early intervention trials, as well as for basic science and other clinical and epidemiologic studies. The purpose of this extension is to expand the collection of single and familiar Scleroderma cases from the tri-county to the national level to subserve research projects to identify Scleroderma susceptibility and severity genes. In addition to the collection of clinically defined cases, the contractor will also collect and store DNA, and lymphoid cells on a large number of Scleroderma cases, their unaffected parents and appropriate controls. In performing this expanded workscope, the Contractor will enroll an estimated 1,000 additional Scleroderma cases, 4,000 family members and 600 controls. A determination for the use of other than full and open competition has been made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as set forth in FAR 6.302-1. The Wayne State University has the prerequisite knowledge and experience because of their preliminary and current work. Inherent duplication of cost to the Government and unacceptable delays in performance make competition for this additional work unfeasible. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NIAMS. A determination not to compete the proposed work based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. This notice of intent is not an announcement of the availability of a Requestfor Proposals (RFP), nor is a RFP available. See Numbered Note 22. Posted 03/03/00 (W-SN430891). (0063)

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