LEDB

The National Institute on Aging, IRP, intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive basis with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) for a project to conduct methodologic work to estimate the characteristics that need to be accounted for in collecting CT numbers for muscle and adipose tissue in multiple centers with different scanners or alternatively how this information should best be collected in longitudinal studies where the likelihood that the CT scanner may change either in software or hardware. USFC, in collaboration with the NIA, will establish and test, in a systematic way, methods that will be incorporated into an article for publication. These methods will include: 1) Establishment of protocol and preparation of all the appropriate forms. A general outline of this protocol follows but this may be altered substantially. We have identified a male torso phantom that has a fat-like substance that can be added or subtracted. Using this and several other phantoms, we will set up a protocol that addresses the limitations of current protocols. We will then recruit 20 subjects from the three subgroups of body mass index, <25, 25-<30, and 30+. These subjects would be scanned two times on the same scanner for intra-individual characteristics related to muscle attenuation and one time on a different manufacturer's machine to test inter-individual characteristics; 2) procurement of the appropriate phantoms for these calibration experiments; 3) obtaining appropriate IRB consents from both University of San Francisco and the Intramural Research Program of the NIA; 4) Recruit appropriate subjects for the protocols and carry out imaging. Subjects to be recruited should cover all BMI groups (<25, 25-<30, and 30-35); 5) analyze images and 6) prepare a manuscript for publication summarizing the results of this experiment and outline any further work that needs to be performed. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1), FAR 6.302-1(b) (1). The cited authority is applicable because UCSF is the only source that can fulfill the requirements of this contract. UCSF is an internationally known authority on the use of computerized tomography in the study of bone. In several studies, UCSF has extended this research to the study of muscle and adipose tissue. They have extensive experience in identifying and attempting to address these issues especially in population studies. The expertise they will bring to this project is not available in other centers and researchers and for this project it is necessary to take advantage of this expertise. The period of performance is 12 months. This acquisition is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition procedures and is exempt from the requirements of Far, Part 6, Competition Requirement. Award will be made on an all or more basis to the lowest priced, technically acceptable source.