Genetic Toxicology Support for the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

This solicitation notice follows a pre-solicitation notice that was released on November 6, 2019 under notice number NIHES2020_Genetox. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) intends to negotiate and award a contract for services and support to examine a variable number of chemicals annually, depending on the needs of the government, for up to ten (10) years for induction of genetic changes (e.g., mutations, chromosomal changes, DNA damage, base sequence changes, differential gene expression profiles) in cells obtained from exposed animals, including laboratory rats and mice, and/or humans. A variable number and mix of studies designed to evaluate these types of endpoints may be conducted annually. As an example, studies may include comet assays to assess DNA damage in multiple tissues of rats and mice, and peripheral blood micronucleus assays to measure the frequency of red blood cells with evidence of chromosomal damage. The contractor will also provide services and support to examine chemicals for ability to induce these same kinds of genetic changes in cultured cells. It is anticipated that approximately 20 chemicals (or chemical mixtures) may be evaluated in one or multiple genotoxicity assays annually, although this number may fluctuate based upon the needs of the government. Because technologies applied to the investigation of exposure-induced genetic toxicities are in a state of rapid evolution and expansion, the contract will include a research and development effort directed toward refining existing techniques and integrating new technologies into the NTP testing program to maintain a high level of scientific capability and relevance.