National Institute on Drug Abuse, Contracts Management Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 3105, MSC 9543, Bethesda, MD 20892-9543

B -- NATIONAL HISPANIC SCIENCE NETWORK ON DRUG ABUSE SOL N01DA-0-1200 POC Michelle L. Scala, Contract Specialist or Nancy A. Hurd, Contracting Officer at (301) 443-6677 E-MAIL: Point of Contact -- Michelle L. Scala, ms35n@nih.gov. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH intends to negotiate with the University of Miami on a sole source basis to establish a National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse (NHSN). This is a new requirement for which no current or previous contract was awarded. The NHSN contract's mission is to foster science on drug use among Hispanics and its application to practice and public health, and to increase the involvement of Hispanic scientists in federally supported research and other programs. The contractor must quickly establish collaborations and formal communications within the Hispanic scientific and lay communities to reduce disparities in health and adverse drug abuse effect between Hispanic and mainstream populations. The contracting organization must capitalize on recent networking efforts undertaken by prominent Hispanic researchers forming communication, research dissemination, training and mentoring programs. It must be immediately able to engender and synergize cooperation among the diverse Hispanic subcultures, as well. NIDA believes that The University of Miami, Miami, Florida, is the only organization that has the prerequisite knowledge and experience to undertake and complete these goals within the anticipated contract timeframe. They will be able to use and expand on an already existing network infrastructure. The University's independent efforts in such matters places it in a unique position to plan and deliver the full array of technical assistance and research development support. Its published research targeting such a diverse breadth of Hispanic health issues, its on-staff Hispanic investigators, its past development and use of prevention and treatment modules, and successful networking efforts makes the University of Miami unique. It is anticipated that a three-year basic contract, with a one-year option will be awarded. See Numbered Notes 22 and 26. Posted 04/20/00 (W-SN447137). (0111)

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