A -- GLP Radionuclide/Radiation Animal Models and Resources Development

RFP CANCELLATION NOTICE The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), will not issue RFP-NIH-DAIT-BARDA-08-20 entitled "GLP Radionuclide/Radiation Animal Models and Resources" at this time. This RFP is being postponed indefinitely. GLP Radionuclide/Radiation Animal Models and Resources Development RFP-NIH-NIAID-DAIT-BARDA-08-20 Formerly Announced as RFP-NIH-NIAID-DAIT-BARDA-08-09. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports research related to the basic understanding of microbiology and immunology leading to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated diseases. The NIAID, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT) and The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) have a requirement to develop medical therapies and diagnostics to counter radiological and nuclear threats. Description Radiation injury can be caused by external or internal exposure, and the effects of radiation on the body may appear within minutes or develop many years after exposure. Internal exposure occurs when radionuclides are internalized by inhalation, ingestion, or through contaminated wounds and distributed to sensitive tissues. The primary treatment to minimize internal exposure is the elimination of internal radionuclides through the administration of chelating, decorporating, or blocking agents. There is a need for the continued development of decorporation agents. The Offeror will provide the required services including the following: development of an information base and rodent and non-rodent animal models of internal radionuclide contamination, development of rodent and non-rodent screen and efficacy evaluation animal models, and GLP-compliant radionuclide exposure facilities. The animal models that are to be developed are intended to support future GLP pivotal animal efficacy studies with an eventual goal of supporting licensure of decorporation agents or other treatments of radionuclide internal contamination. The work to be performed under this contract will be initiated by the NIAID Contracts Office through a mechanism called work assignments. The Government intends to establish contracts for two facilities to carry out the efforts described above. Adherence to the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) is a term and condition of all PHS grant or contract awards that includes use of live, invertebrate animals. Both OLAW and AAALAC accreditations demonstrate compliance with PHS Policy. The USDA regulates institutions performing research on warm-blooded species other than rodents and birds and must comply with the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations. Any research facility using radioactive materials in scientific research studies must comply with appropriate federal and state licensing requirements. It is anticipated that two work assignment type contracts will be awarded for a five (5)-year period of performance beginning on or about September 30, 2008, with an anticipated total effort of approximately 6.35 FTEs. Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Agency. This RFP will be available electronically on/about January 3, 2008 and may be accessed through FedBizOpps http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted. See Government-Wide Numbered Note 26.