--Analysis of samples for biological defense agents using Affymetrix microarray technology.

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Gene Logic, Inc., 610 Professional Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879. The procurement will provide the U.S. Army Medical Research Instit ute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) with the Quality Control, processing, labeling, gene expression data generation, and data analysis (identification of candidate biomarkers based on significantly changing genes, if any, in the samples that would differ entiate responses between experimental groups treated with vaccine or infectious agent) of samples to be delivered and prepared by USAMRIID using a protocol suitable for use in Affymetrix microarray technology. The contractor must have the ability to predict toxicity of compounds based on a well defined set of biomarkers for toxicity. It is believed that Gene Logic, Inc. is the only company with a library to detect changes with virus-like-particles of Ebola/Marb urg and other biological agents and vaccines. The contractor must be able to screen biomarkers for specificity and cross reactivity against an extensive pre-existing database to allow quick elimination of biomarkers that could also be expressed in other c ommon disease conditions and thus lead to false positives. For example, a biomarker for exposure to Anthrax may also be expressed in patients with pulmonary emphysema. It would be necessary to know of such co-occurrences to minimize the number of false p ositives when screening large populations for exposure to biological agents. It is believed that Gene Logic, Inc. uniquely offers the breadth and depth of data necessary for screening biomarkers for this level of specificity. Any company that believes that it can meet these requirements is invited to submit written notification to the Contract Specialist within 15 calendar days from the date of the publication of this notice. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the company's ability to meet the requirement. Information can be sent by email to the Contract Specialist at: contact@example.gov. The notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, responses received fro m responsible businesses prior to close of business on 17 May 2005 will be evaluated. If no responses are received, USAMRAA will proceed with the sole source contract.