B -- Describing the Usage and Benefits of Breast Cancer Treatment

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Control and population Sciences (DCCPS), Surveillance Research Program (SRP) plans to procure on a sole source basis with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to continue its activities Describing Trends in Treatment Usage by Tumor Characteristics and Risk Factors for Breast Cancer. The Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) is a consortium of NCI-sponsored investigators whose focus is to use modeling to improve our understanding of the impact of cancer control interventions (e.g., prevention, screening treatment) on population trends in incidence and mortality. These models are also used to project future trends, and to help determine optimal cancer control strategies. Members of the breast cancer CISNET collaborative group are performing a joint analysis to project mortality into the future under various scenarios related to early detection, treatment and chemoprevention. This will represent a large modeling effort to look at changes in usage of mammography or introduction of new technologies for early detection of breast cancer. Additional analyses include modeling benefits of chemotherapy, hormone therapy and use of new drugs such as Trastuzumab (Herceptin) as well as increased use of appropriate therapies in underserved populations. In previous work, MD Anderson has defined categories of cancers to be considered in the analysis (based on ER status/HER-2 status/nodal status/age at diagnosis) and estimated the prevalence of cases in each of the defined categories. They used clinical guidelines and recommendations to identify appropriate treatment for each category of breast cancer over time and the survival benefit for each treatment/combination of treatment. This previous work has provided the background needed to start modeling the effect of treatment advances over time. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson is uniquely qualified to perform the work outlined in the statement of work. The program in Biomathematics and Biostatistics at M.D. Anderson trains researchers who will contribute to biomedical research by developing new methods for the design and analysis of research studies and by formulating mathematical models of biologic systems, thereby contributing to the understanding of cancer biology and disease processes. M.D. Anderson was previously funded to work with the CISNET model groups to provide inputs to joint analyses to describe population trends in treatment and early detection. M.D. Anderson has the distinction of being a world leader in cancer modeling as well as treatment of breast cancer. The work described in this contract requites defining and tracking the usage of the latest treatments and risk factor trends for breast cancer to put together modeling inputs appropriate for various statistical approaches. The exceptional combination of expertise found at M.D. Anderson puts this institution in an inimitable position to perform the work described. Dr. Donald Berry will be responsible for overseeing the team of researchers at M.D. Anderson. Dr. Berry, who has worked with the CISNET consortium for the previous 7 years, is currently an affiliate member of CISNET, and has a detailed understanding of the types of models involved in this effort with an exceptional understanding of the most current information available related to the breast cancer drugs of interest. Dr. Berry led the initial collaborative effort for the breast cancer CISNET group to estimate the impact of mammography screening and adjuvant therapy on breast cancer mortality that resulted in a recent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Ravdin led the study that suggested a link between the decline in HRT use and a decline in breast cancer incidence in the SEER data set and will be taking the lead on the task of modeling the impact of HRT on breast cancer tumor growth. At MD Anderson, Dr. Berry and his staff collaborate with clinical trialist and oncologists that are major contributors to current breast cancer research. Dr. Berry has numerous publications in the area of design and interpretation of clinical trials related to breast cancer treatment and in modeling population impact of trial results. Dr. Berry and his staff are in the unique position of understanding the CISNET program at the most detailed level, possessing the skills and knowledge to perform population modeling relating to breast cancer treatment advances, and are experts in the area of breast cancer treatment trials. Therefore in the best interest of the government, this contract should be awarded to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The supplies and services herein are being procured in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures as authorized by FAR Part 13. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the business size standard is $6.5M. This notice is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party has the unique capabilities, resources and personnel to perform the requirement. An original and one copy of the capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 PM EDT, on September 20, 2007. Faxed and emailed capability statements are NOT authorized. For further information please contact Deborah Moore, Contract Specialist via electronic mail at dm170b@nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted. No faxed or emailed capability statements will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA).