Provision of Animal Facilities and Performance of Routine Experiments and Tests

The Vaccine Branch of the National Cancer Institute, Division of Center for Cancer Research, proposes to enter into a sole source contract with Advanced Bioscience Laboratories, Inc. This requirement will provide for an extension for a four months period for support services for investigations related to development of vaccines for prevention of retroviral infection, development of treatment strategies for AIDS, and elucidation of mechanisms of retroviral pathogenesis. Advanced Biosciences Laboratories, Inc. has been under contract (N02-RC-57701) to the National Cancer Institute since 2001 to support pre-clinical studies in non-human primates and standard laboratory animals by providing maintenance of the animals, through required quarantine periods and during performance of experiments, in accordance with all animal welfare regulations. The major tasks of the extension include the completion of the following active studies: 1) AMP-224. The current study is in the process of evaluating the effect of AMP-224 as not only a therapeutic agent but as a vaccine effectiveness enhancing agent. 2) ALVAC SIV. This ongoing study is to evaluate methods to improve the immunogenecity of ALVAC vaccines, either alone or in combination with DNA vaccine priming, using the SIV-macaque model. 3) ALVAC titration. This study is to develop and optimize a repeat low dose mucosal challenge using SIVmac251 and then use this method of challenge to evaluate effectiveness of an ALVAC-SIV vaccine to prevent or otherwise modulate this mucosal challenge. 4) HPV-2. This study is to develop and evaluate a vaccine platform that specifically targets the most prevalent route of infection by HIV. 5) Tat/Env. This study is to confirm earlier observations using clade C rather than clade B based immunogens. 6) SIV-E660 challenge. The E660 strain of SIV is being evaluated as a heterologous challenge in animals vaccinated with SIVmac251 components. 7) INF alpha. This study is to directly test the contribution of early, innate, IFN alpha responses at mucosal sites of infection. Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source". The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302-1. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to continue with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted.