Support For Epidemiological Studies of Cancer Risk in U.S. Radiologic Technologists

Support For Epidemiological Studies of Cancer Risk in U.S. Radiologic Technologists RFP: NO2-CP-01003-50. The Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB) of the National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, proposes to enter into a sole source contract with the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. This requirement will provide for a contract with a base period of one year, and four successive one year options for support services for etiologic cohort and case-control studies among 146,000 U.S. radiologic technologists to: (i) examine key etiologic factors for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common cancer and one of the most costly to the U.S.; (ii) better understand the potentially protective relationship between ultraviolet radiation (UVR)/vitamin D and several specific cancers (e.g., colon, breast, and prostate cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma); (iii) investigate preliminary observations of increased risks of brain tumors and stroke in U.S. radiologic technologists performing or assisting with fluoroscopically-guided (FG) radiologic procedures, and breast cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in technologists performing or assisting with radioactive iodine therapy, and continue monitoring the cohort for cancer and other radiation-related diseases associated with protracted low-to-moderate-dose ionizing radiation (IR) exposure; and (iv) investigate the potential modification of radiation-related breast cancer risks by genetic variation. The University of Minnesota has been under contract (NO1-CP-21015, N01-CP-15673, N01-CP-51016, N01-CP-31018) to the National Cancer Institute since 1982 to conduct three questionnaire surveys for cancer incidence and to establish a repository of biological samples for genetic studies. The scientific design and oversight of the activities are the responsibility of the REB professional staff. The major tasks of the contract include: (1) conduct a fourth cohort survey of approximately 73,000 radiologic technologists to ascertain incident cancers since the latest questionnaire completed and obtain detailed information on circulating Vitamin D determinants, calendar-specific history of personal medical radiation procedures, and updated reproductive history, family cancer history, and other cancer risk factors; (2) administer work history questionnaire modules to radiologic technologists who performed or assisted with fluoroscopically-guided diagnostic and therapeutic radiation procedures (n~22,000) and nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (n~21,000) to obtain detailed calendar-specific data for use in expanding and refining the Version 4.0 dose assessment for these subgroups; (3) obtain risk factor questionnaires from 2500 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases and 2500 controls for a case-control study of risks with occupational and medical ionizing radiation, lifetime exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation, personal and family history of BCC, use of sun beds, tanning lamps, drugs known to cause sun-sensitivity, history of certain genetic syndromes, arsenic-containing products, selected chemicals, genetic, and other potential risk factors; (4) obtain subject consent and medical records to validate approximately 3,900 self-reported cancers; (5) collect skin cancer maps from non-melanoma skin cancer cases to obtain the location(s) and date(s) of diagnosis; and (6) collect blood samples from targeted subgroups of technologists (e.g. BCC cases). The names of the key personnel and their experience in these tasks shall be provided with the technical proposal. 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 and services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contractor based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purposed of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted.