A--Preliminary Studies for Whole Genome Association Study (WGAS) in Acute Perioperative Pain It is anticipated that this Sole Source effort will generate interest for the further study of the correlation between pain and genetics.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is seeking to contract with the University of Pittsburgh on a sole source basis to conduct preliminary studies for a Whole Genome Association Study (WGAS) focused on acute perioperative pain. This contract aims to develop improved methods and pilot clinical studies to more accurately assess pain perception during the three days following total knee replacement surgery. The intention is to gather preliminary data exploring the genetic basis of individual variation in pain perception, which could facilitate future research on the correlation between pain sensitivity and genetic factors. This contract opportunity is being managed by the Acquisition Services Directorate under the Department of the Interior’s franchise authority, following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidelines for non-competitive negotiation. It was posted as a presolicitation notice in May 2008, with communication directed through a specific contact email for inquiries. This initiative is part of an effort to enhance the understanding of genetic influences on pain, supporting NIDCR’s broader clinical research objectives in the emerging field of pain genetics.