RFP ANNOUNCEMENT: STUDIES TO EVALUATE THE TOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC 
POTENTIAL OF TEST AGENTS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS VIA INHALATION EXPOSURE 
FOR THE NATIONAL TOXICOLOGY PROGRAM, RFP NIH-ES-04-07

RELEASE DATE:  February 27, 2004 

NOTICE: NOT-ES-04-006

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
 (http://www.niehs.nih.gov)

The purpose of this notice is to announce a request for proposal (RFP 
NIH-ES-04-07).  The NIEHS is soliciting offers for a contract to 
evaluate the toxic and carcinogenic potential of test agents in short 
term and long term studies in laboratory animals for the National 
Toxicology Program.  The route of exposure to the test agents will be 
mainly via inhalation but may involve other routes of exposure as 
needed.  The contract is designed to study diverse agents that may 
include: abrasive blasting agents, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, 
metal working fluids, or other agents.  The design of actual studies 
will vary as needed depending on the individual test agents, route(s) 
of exposure, and endpoints to be evaluated.  Study duration may be from 
a few days up to 2-years or life time.  Exposure may begin in utero or 
in young animals.  The route of administration will generally be 
inhalation, although other routes of exposure may be needed (i.e., 
dosed feed, dosed water, gavage, dermal, parenteral (intraperitoneal, 
subcutaneous, intravenous, intratrachael)).  These studies shall be 
conducted in accordance with the  Specifications for the Conduct of 
Studies to Evaluate the Toxic and Carcinogenic Potential of Chemical, 
Biological and Physical Agents in Laboratory Animals for the National 
Toxicology Program".  Offerors shall have a working inhalation exposure 
facility in place by the date of proposal submission.  The Principal 
Investigator, Toxicologist, Chemist, Engineer/Exposure Specialist, 
Veterinarian, Health and Safety Officer and Quality Assurance Unit 
Officer shall be employees of the contract laboratory (i.e., not 
consultants or subcontractors).  The daily interaction and constant 
coordination of efforts needed amongst these discipline areas 
throughout the in-life portion of the studies makes it critical that 
they be physically and organizationally together.  Award of one cost-
reimbursement, level of effort type contract on approximately November 
30, 2004 with a ten year term on an open competition basis is 
contemplated as a result of this solicitation.  The estimated level of 
effort is approximately 29,750 labor hours for the base contract 
(inclusive of the effort for an administrative task during years 1 
through 10) of the contract and 337,180 for all options. Expected 
release date of the RFP is approximately March 8, 2004 with proposals 
due May 7, 2004.   Interested organizations should fax a request for 
RFP NIH-ES-04-07 to the attention of Ms. Marilyn B. Whaley, Contracting 
Officer at (919) 541-2712 or send an e-mail request to 
[email protected].  All responsible sources may submit a proposal 
which shall be considered by the Agency.  The electronic version of the 
FedBizOpps synopsis will be available on the Internet at: 
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/dert/rcb/rfp.htm.  An electronic copy of the 
RFP (without the NTP Specifications) will be posted to this site on or 
about February 20, 2004.  This requirement is unrestricted.  NAICS Code 
is 541710.  Numbered Note 26 applies.

REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATION:

ANIMAL WELFARE PROTECTION:  Recipients of PHS support for activities 
involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on 
Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf), 
as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the 
USDA Animal Welfare Regulations 
(http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm), as applicable.

Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices

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