A--IGF::OT::IGF- Developmental Toxicity Models

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development, National Computation Center for Toxicology, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina is interested in building predictive or multiscale models to predict potential toxicity events within developing systems. EPA has a requirement for two kinds of experimental studies to support computational models: assays that generate relevant data to build predictive models of developmental toxicity, and assays to confirm results of the predictions and provide mechanistic support for model assessment. The EPA requires one or more contractors to use appropriate assays to determine the effects of compounds in the ToxCast chemical library for features relevant to developmental processes and toxicities. These features should relate directly to morphological or physiological defects that manifest during prenatal or postnatal life. Parameters should provide broad coverage of metabolic and/or regulatory pathways important for embryonic development and potential pathway-level targets leading to developmental defects relevant to the human condition. Of special interest are those targets associated with disruption of processes underlying blood vessel development, neural crest formation and migration, palatogenesis, chondrogenesis/skeletal development, neurodevelopment, and urogenital morphogenesis including male/female reproductive organs. The use of cells expected to more closely reflect in vivo growth, morphogenesis and differentiation of the vertebrate embryo is encouraged. The award of Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Task Order contract is anticipated with a 60-month period of performance. During the contract period of performance, the Government will order a minimum of $100,000 of processing services. The EPA will provide the test compounds at a minimum of 3 and maximum of 3000 per Task Order (TO). Each order shall be processed and data submitted to EPA within 90 days of receipt of samples. EPA has determined that this action will be processed as a 100% total small business set-aside competition. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541712 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. The Solicitation SOL-NC-12-00024, Request for Proposal (RFP), will be available on or around July 16, 2012. Proposals will be due approximately 35 days after the RFP issue date. No further synopsis or RFP information will be posted to Fedbizopps. The solicitation and any subsequent amendments will ONLY be available via the EPA RTP Procurement Website at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. Hard copies or diskettes will not be available. Telephone and fax requests for a copy of the RFP will not be honored. It will be your responsibility to frequently check the same website for any amendments or additional information that may become relevant. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Agency.