Notice Number: NOT-AA-07-003

Key Dates
Anticipated Release Date: January 30, 2007
Anticipated Receipt Date: March 26, 2007

Issued by
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is seeking a qualified organization or institution with experience with rat models to provide support for evaluating proprietary test compounds in validated animal models of heightened ethanol drinking. This project is for Preclinical Medications Screening in Genetic Models of Alcoholism.

In-house capability and experience to conduct preclinical evaluations of test medications on alcohol drinking by selectively bred Indiana P, Indiana HAD and in Wistar rats is required. Proprietary compounds will be evaluated using prescribed protocols, and the resulting data will be used by NIAAA in supporting its preclinical medication screening program. Specific project requirements include: 1) performing all studies and statistical analysis, 2) ensuring the quality of the study data, 3) preparing final compound study reports, and 4) providing scientific expertise on the development of experimental protocols, if deemed necessary. Offerors will need to demonstrate ability to implement required tests in animal models of alcoholism and possession of, or a reasonable plan to obtain specialized supplies required to perform these tests. Offerors will also need to demonstrate an understanding of how animal models may be used to identify promising medications for the treatment of alcoholism and discussion of issues involving collaborations with suppliers of proprietary compounds. Project Director, with advanced academic degree (Ph.D., M.D.), with expertise in field of neuroscience or behavioral pharmacology and support from grants, cooperative agreements and/or contracts awarded by federal or non-federal organizations is required. The Project Director must have experience testing experimental compounds for the treatment of addiction or related CNS disorders in animal models and experience in project management in the conduct of animal studies relevant to testing of therapeutics. On-site laboratory space, analytical equipment, mandatory organizational/institutional status of having obtained, or capability of obtaining, an approved Animal Welfare Assurance from the NIH/Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm), and bioinformatics and computer resources necessary to perform the project are required.

Offerors will need to provide evidence of access, or a feasible plan to acquire required equipment, animals and facilities necessary to perform this project.

It is anticipated that a cost-reimbursement term contract will be awarded for a seven (7) year period of performance beginning on or about September 30, 2007. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be electronically available on or about January 26, 2007 on the NIAAA website at the following web address: www.niaaa.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/ExtramuralResearch/Contracts/.

Receipt of proposals will be due on or about March 26, 2007. All information required for the submission of a proposal will be contained in the electronic RFP package. POTENTIAL OFFERORS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOWN LOADING THEIR OWN COPY OF THE RFP AND ANY AMENDMENTS. Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Government. This notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted.

Inquiries

Inquiries regarding this notice may be directed to:

Patricia N. Hanacek
Contract Specialist
NIDDK Office of Acquisitions
NIAAA R&D Contracts Management Branch
5635 Fishers Lane
Room 3016, MSC 9304
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9304
FOR EXPRESS MAIL: Rockville, MD 20852-1705
Phone: 301-594-6226; FAX: 301-443-3891
Email: hanacekp@mail.nih.gov