Age Related Eye Study 2 Follow-On

The National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to solicit a contract with The Emmes Corporation of Rockville, Maryland. This contract is a follow-on to The Age Related Eye Study II (AREDS II or AREDS 2) contract (N01-EY-5-0007). The purpose of this follow-on contract is to: 1) assist the NEI to use the AREDS II cohort to examine the effects of long-term supplementation with the AREDS II supplements (lutein/zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids) on general and ocular health for 5.5 years after the termination of the AREDS II Clinical trial; and 2) examine the molecular genetics of age-related eye diseases (with possible associations of study nutrients). This is a unique scientific opportunity to take advantage of an established epidemiologic cohort on which extensive data has been obtained. This opportunity also takes advantage of the research study management infrastructure, such as specialized data entry, quality control, and data management systems developed to support the data collected in the study, already developed in the existing contract (N01-EY-5-0007). The anticipated period of performance is July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. The anticipated contract will comprise one (1), one-year base period and four (4), one-year option periods each of which may be exercised unilaterally by the Government for a potential period of performance of 60 months. Authority: 41 U.S.C. 2539(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1. Inherent duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition makes competition unfeasible for this solicitation. This is not a request for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. A Sources Sought Notice, including a draft Statement of Work, had been posted as HHSNIHODSBSS13005 on April 2, 2013. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.