National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

A -- CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT FOR A STUDY OF CANCER RELATED TO OCCUPATIONAL &ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES AMONG PERSONS LIVEING OR WORKING NEAR A STEEL MILL IN SYNDEY, NOVA SCOTIA SOL NCI-RFQ-00143-NR DUE 071000 POC Marsha Gorham, Purchasing Agent (301)496-8607 The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), National Cancer Institute (NCI) plans to procure the services of Dalhousie University, 5849 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4H7 to conduct a feasibility assessment for a study of cancer related to occupational and environmental exposures among persons living or working near a steel mill in Syndney, Nova Scotia. Sydney residents have a reduced life expectancy of approximately five years, and they have increased risk of disease, especially with regard to cancers of the stomach, lungs, breast, cervix, colon, rectum, and prostate. Evaluation of the contributions of occupational exposures, environmental exposures, and their interaction with etiological factors may make an important contribution to scientific understanding of the impact of such exposures to the health of working populations. The purpose of this feasibility work is to evaluate the availability and suitability of data resources to evaluate the high cancer rates among Sydney's citizens relative to exposure to emissions from a significant steel plant in the area. The approach will be to select a sample of SYSCO employees and determine the ability to: 1) assess the accuracy and level of detail in their work and residential history records; 2) to assess occupational and environmental exposures; 3) to include spouses and dependents in a study; and 4) to link the sample to national databases to determine mortality and morbidity outcomes. Dalhousie University's Department of Community Health and Epidemiology has access to work records of the SYSCO steel plant, mortality data at Statistics Canada, cancer incidence data from Canadian provinces, and an established working relationship with the plant management and union. In addition, Dalhousie University has expertise in cancer epidemiology and an understanding of occupational and environmental exposures as they relate to cancer etiology. Since Dalhousie has access to the employees' work and health records from SYSCO steel plant and the established relationships as noted above, it is the only source known to NCI that can complete a feasibility assessment study. This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the above work, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the NCI researcher to determine if the party can perform this requirement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 12:00 p.m. EDT (local Washington, D.C. time), on July 10, 2000. If you have any questions, please contact Marsha Gorham, Purchasing Agent on (301) 402-4509. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Posted 06/22/00 (W-SN467407). (0174)

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