ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENT TO ISSUE: BIOCONTAINMENT FACILITIES RFA

RELEASE DATE:  May 17, 2004

NOTICE:  NOT-AI-04-031

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) 
 (http://www.niaid.nih.gov)
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
 (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov)

PURPOSE/FUNDS AVAILABLE

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and 
the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) are announcing the 
intent to issue two separate Requests for Applications (RFAs) to 
support biomedical laboratory facility construction and laboratory 
alteration/renovation.  NIAID intends to issue an RFA for the Regional 
Biocontainment Laboratories Construction Program (RFA-AI-04-032).  This 
program will fund new construction of stand-alone biosafety level three 
(BSL-3) facilities for biomedical research and research training.  

NCRR, in collaboration with NIAID, intends to issue an RFA for 
Extramural Research Facilities Improvement (RFA-RR-04-006).  One 
component of this RFA will include major alterations and renovations of 
existing facilities to create or improve BSL-3 laboratory space.

PURPOSE/FUNDS AVAILABLE

1) Regional Biocontainment Laboratories Construction Program

NIAID plans to issue an RFA for construction of Regional Biocontainment 
Laboratories (RBLs).  Funds will support programming, design, 
construction and commissioning of new stand-alone comprehensive 
biomedical laboratories to include BSL-3 and BSL-2 laboratories; small 
animal vivarium space; and support space for research, administration, 
and building operations.  Projects that include Good Laboratory 
Practices (GLP) and biodefense related aerobiology capabilities are 
encouraged.  This program will not provide funding for major 
alterations and renovations (see below).  The RBLs must support NIAID 
funded research in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases and will 
be available to assist in response efforts in the event of a National 
emergency.  The NIAID intends to commit approximately $125 million in 
FY 2005 to fund 5 to 8 new awards.  The Federal share must be $15-25 
million, and the minimum size of the facility must be 30,000 gross 
square feet.  Matching funds of at least 25% of the total allowable 
costs of the project must be provided by the applicant institution.  No 
facilities and administrative (F&A) costs will be awarded.  Awards will 
be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds, the NIAID 
appropriations authority provided at the discretion of Congress, and 
the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.  
APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

2) Extramural Research Facilities Improvement Program  

NCRR, in collaboration with NIAID, plans to issue an RFA (RFA-RR-04-
006) for research facilities improvement, including major alteration 
and renovation (A&R).  One component of this RFA will include major 
alterations and renovations of existing facilities to create or improve 
BSL-3 laboratory space.  These A&R projects will support the NIAID 
biodefense and emerging infectious diseases research agenda.  
Activities that may be supported under this program include major 
alteration and renovation of existing biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) 
laboratory/vivarium space, and the upgrade of BSL-2 laboratory/vivarium 
space to BSL-3 space in existing buildings.  Extensions to existing 
buildings will be considered.  The minimum project size must be 5,000 
gross square feet.  Biosafety level-2/3 A&R improvement projects that 
include Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and biodefense related 
aerobiology capabilities are encouraged.  These biodefense applications 
do not count toward the two traditional C06 applications per 
institution.  Matching funds of at least 50% of the total allowable 
costs for these biodefense related project must be provided by the 
applicant institution.  Approximately 6-12 awards will be made in FY 
2005.  Awards will be contingent upon the availability of appropriated 
funds, the NIAID appropriations authority provided at the discretion of 
Congress, and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious 
applications. 

APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.   

ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS

Only domestic (U.S.), non-Federal, public or private non-profit 
organizations that support biomedical research will be eligible to 
apply to the Regional Biocontainment Laboratories Construction Program.

Domestic (U.S.), public or private non-profit organizations, units of 
state and local government, and eligible agencies of the Federal 
government will be eligible to apply for the Extramural Research 
Facilities Improvement Program.  

INQUIRIES

For questions or further information on design/construction issues, 
contact:

Ms. Nancy Boyd
Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room Number 5015
6610 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 402-8585
FAX: (301) 480-1263
Email: nboyd@niaid.nih.gov

For questions or further information on scientific/research issues, 
contact:

Alicia Dombroski, Ph.D.
Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Room Number 5005
6610 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 402-8561
FAX: (301) 480-1263
Email: adombroski@niaid.nih.gov


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