Support for Epidemiologic Studies of the Mayak Cohorts: Mayak Worker and Ozyorsk Offspring Cohorts

The Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH intends to negotiate with the Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI) located in the Russian Federation, a contract, consisting of one base-year and three one-year options, for support services titled - Support for Epidemiologic Studies of the Mayak Cohorts: Mayak Worker and Ozyorsk Offspring Cohorts. This is a renewal of contract #N01-CP-45504 with the SUBI, whose work on this study of the Mayak and Techa River Cohorts in the Russian Federation extends back more than 10 years, as a subcontractor on predecessor contracts with the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), #N01-CP-81034 and #N01-CP-11014. Two existing cohorts will be studied under this contract: 1) the Mayak Workers Cohort, comprised of approximately 26,000 workers who were employed at the Mayak nuclear weapons facility, were exposed to external radiation and internal plutonium, and 2) the Ozyorsk Offspring Cohort, made up of approximately 72,000 persons born between 1934 and 1988 living in the vicinity of the Mayak facility, exposed to iodine-131 and had parents that were occupationally exposed. This renewal will be negotiated directly with the SUBI as a support services contract, supporting REB investigators by providing cancer mortality data necessary to quantify cancer mortality risks from protracted low dose rate exposure to external radiation and internal exposure to strontium. Results of analyses conducted thus far have demonstrated that this study has the power to detect and quantify risks of long term carcinogenic effects of low to moderate chronic radiation exposures. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate using other than full and open competition under the authority of FAR 6.302. 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 be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.