MOUSE NEUROSCIENCE PHENOTYPING AND DISTRIBUTING CENTER Release Date: June 7, 2001 NOTICE: NOT-MH-01-008 National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) proposes to issue solicitation No. NIMH-01-DN-0018 entitled Mouse Neuroscience Phenotyping and Distributing Center as a full and open competitive procurement under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541710. The NIMH proposes to award a one-year contract with five one-year options. Some aspects of the Statement of Work (SOW) will be reimbursed on a fixed unit price basis while other aspects of the (SOW) will be reimbursed on a cost basis. With the elucidation of the complete draft sequence of the human and other mammalian genomes, the next challenge is to conduct large-scale functional analyses of these genomes to greatly enhance our understanding of neurobiology. The laboratory mouse plays a pivotal role in human functional genomic, insofar as mouse strains carrying mutations have provided useful models for human diseases. Request for Applications (RFA) MH-99-007, Mouse Mutagenesis and Phenotyping: Nervous System and Behavior was issued in 1999 to establish neuroscience-focused facilities for large-scale, efficient, whole-genome mutagenesis, in order to promote the systematic and comprehensive functional analysis of neurobiological and behavioral phenotypes in the mouse. Cooperative Agreements for three large-scale mutagenesis and phenotyping facilities that focus on abnormalities in nervous system function and behavior were funded under the RFA. A major goal of this initiative is to provide the scientific community with new research resources, i.e., mutant animals in a timely fashion. The expected production of mutants generated by the three neuroscience-focused mutagenesis facilities exceeds the capacity of existing mouse storage and distribution facilities. In order to realize the full potential for the scientific community of mutants produced in the three mutagenesis facilities, the NIMH is seeking to establish a large-scale phenotyping and distribution virtual center. The virtual center will be comprised of a network of investigators with expertise in different phenotypic domains, database/bioinformatics experts who can construct a state-of-the-art database in response to the needs of the neuroscience and behavioral communities and adequate capacity to maintain and distribute mutant strains. The specific functions to be performed by this virtual center include: (1) confirmatory phenotyping of various nervous system functions and complex behaviors in mutant mice received from the three mutagenesis facilities, (2) maintenance of mutant strains as live animals, and cryopreserved materials (embryos or ovaries and sperm), (3) wide distribution to the scientific community of mutant strains in a very timely fashion, and (4) development and curation of a public database of neuroscience-relevant phenotypic information from mutant strains. In addition to the above, the contract shall also contain an option for the performance of additional services. The additional services that could be required include the baseline phenotyping of nine inbred strains (129/SvlmJ, A/J, BALB/cJ, BTBR, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, CAST/Ei, DBA/2J, and FVB/NJ) on neuroscience-relevant domains, mapping of mutations to a higher resolution than originally done by the three mutagenesis facilities, and breeding of mutations into balanced and congenic stocks on specified genetic backgrounds for distribution to the scientific community. To eliminate the potential for patents on mutant mice and cryopreserved materials that would undermine the development of a widely available national resource the successful offeror must agree to abide by the terms and conditions imposed by the employment of FAR Clauses 52.227-11, Patent Rights (Deviation) and 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General (Deviation). RFP No. NIMH-01-DN-0018 will be available on or about June 19, 2001, and receipt of proposals will be due on or about November 9, 2001. The RFP may be accessed electronically through the NIMH Homepage at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/. (First click on Funding Opportunities, then click on Contracts and scroll down to the RFP Number.) This RFP may also be accessed electronically at FEDBIZOPPS at http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. Please note that the RFP for this requirement will include the Statement of Work, Deliverables, and Reporting Requirements, Technical Evaluation Criteria and the Proposal Preparation Instructions. All information required for the submission of an offer will be contained in the electronic RFP package. Following proposal submission and the initial review process, offerors included in the competitive range will be requested to provide additional documentation to the Contracting Officer. All responsible sources may submit a proposal that will be considered by the NIMH. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. INQUIRES For questions or further information, contact: Robert D. Barnie Contracting Officer Contracts Management Branch National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6107, MSC 9603 Bethesda, MD 20892-9603 Telephone: (301) 443-4116 FAX: (301) 443-0501 Email: rb245s@nih.gov


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