Echocardiography Reading Center for the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to establish an Echocardiography (Echo) Reading Center as part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study renewal. The ARIC renewal involves a clinical examination (Visit 5) of the cohort that includes repeat and new measures to be performed in May 2011 through April 2013; as well as continued follow-up contact and clinical events surveillance of the cohort through October 31, 2016. The Echo Reading Center's effort is expected to begin on November 1, 2010 and to end October 31, 2016. The ARIC Echo Reading Center contractor shall be responsible for the various tasks related to the echocardiographic measurements to be collected and assessed in the ARIC Visit 5. This is a Presolicitation Notice in advance of the Request for Proposal (RFP), and the Government is not committed to award a contract pursuant to this announcement. The RFP, NHLBI-HC-11-08, detailing the specifics of the project as well as information pertinent to the development of an offeror's proposal will be available electronically on or about October 30, 2009 and may be accessed through the Internet at the following URL location: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/inits/index.htm#rfp and will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities website at: http://www.fedbizopps.gov under the NHLBI posting section. No paper copies will be available. Proposals will be due on or about January 29, 2010. It is anticipated that one cost-reimbursement contract award will be made for a period of six years beginning on or about November 1, 2010. Offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments and for routinely checking the Internet site for any possible solicitation amendments that may be issued by the Government. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.