A -- Alopecia Areata Registry

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, on behalf of The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, to extend and expand the scope of their current contract for an additional four years. The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson was originally awarded a five year contract in September 2000, for the project entitled - Alopecia Areata Registry. The contract was modified to extend the period of performance through September 29, 2006. The purpose of the contract was to establish a national registry for patients and families with alopecia areata. The contractor will continue to: 1) maintain an established data registry for alopecia areata reflecting complete registration and donated samples from an estimated 2500 subjects; 2) maintain diagnostic criteria and minimal clinical and laboratory characteristics for each of the relevant forms of the disease; 3) maintain a review committee and conduct the reviews for applications/requests to gain access to data in the registry; 4) disseminate information about the availability of the registry and registry information to potential users; and 5) maintain and access tissue specimens collected at the repository as part of the registry functions. Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1, the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is the only source capable of performing this requirement due to their prerequisite knowledge and experience because of their preliminary and current work. Due to the inherent duplication of cost and unacceptable delays in performance, a noncompetitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. This is not an announcement of the availability of a Request for Proposals (RFP), nor is an RFP available. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to response to the requirements, as described above. A determination not to compete the proposed work based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. See Numbered Note 22.