SPECIAL NOTICE: ANTIBODY PREPARATIONS FOR SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME 
(SARS)   266-03-SARSANTB

RELEASE DATE:  April 25, 2003

NOTICE: NOT-AI-03-027

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
 (http://www.niaid.nih.gov)

RECEIPT DATE: May 16, 2003

DESCRIPTION

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National 
Institutes of Health (NIH), DHHS is seeking capability statements from 
organizations with the expertise to develop antibody preparations for Severe 
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).  The purpose this effort is to identify 
commercial entities capable of entering into the development and production 
of polyclonal or monoclonal antibody preparations that might benefit patients 
exposed to or suffering from infection by the coronavirus that causes Severe 
Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS.  The respondent should consider the 
following elements:

1.  The U. S. government is mindful of the epidemiologic exigencies created 
by the emergence of this new virus and wishes to accelerate the development 
of appropriate interventions where possible.
2.  The research and development needed to obtain antibody therapies that 
will satisfy regulatory requirements of the FDA.
3.  The possible need to provide substantial supplies of this material.
4.  The ability to conduct preclinical and clinical testing of the product.  
5.  Documented history of successful development of a monoclonal or 
polyclonal antibody preparation is essential.
6.  The U.S. government may also provide access to samples of the SARS virus. 
The research and development will require BSL-3 level facilities if work is 
proposed with the SARS virus in the laboratory.

NIAID is interested in receiving letters of interest and capability 
statements from interested organizations.  Interested organizations should 
submit their capability statements that contain descriptions of their 
potential development plans, their research and development capabilities and 
interests, and their potential or available manufacturing capabilities for 
these antibody preparations in substantial quantities.  Any perceived 
barriers to the conduct of this research should also be indicated.  The 
capability statements, along with any supporting documentations should not 
exceed 15 pages.  It is also requested that interested organizations indicate 
their overall cost estimate for their proposed effort.  The NIAID is not 
requesting a detailed cost proposal but rather an overall estimate of the 
effort per major line item.  Capability statements and letters of interest 
will be kept confidential and will help in determining the need for an RFP to 
support research and development activities and in assembling a potential 
source list for distribution of any resultant RFP.  This is not a Request for 
Proposals and does not commit the Government to award a contract now or in 
the future.  Submission of any information based on this request for 
information is purely voluntary.  Please specify, if applicable, the small 
business size status of your company (See Federal Acquisition Regulations, 
Part 19).  No solicitation is available at this time.  No collect calls will 
be accepted.  Submit your responses to Sharon Kraft, Contract Specialist, at 
the address listed in this special notice.

266-03-SARSANTB will be available electronically on or about April 22, 2003 
and may be accessed through the Internet on the Contract Management Branch 
Homepage, located at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/contract and will be posted on 
FedBizOpps at  http://www.eps.gov/servlet/Documents/R/634409. 
Responses to this Special Notice will be due on Friday, May 16, 2003.  

Contracting Office Address:

National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Contract Management Branch 
6700-B Rockledge Drive
Room 2230, MSC 7612 
Bethesda, MD, 20892-7612

Point of Contact:

Sharon Kraft, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-402-5825, Fax 301-402-0972, 
Email [email protected]

Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices

			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®