NOT-NS-02-006: INSULATING BIOMATERIALS

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

INSULATING BIOMATERIALS

Release Date:  December 7, 2001

NOTICE:  NOT-NS-02-006

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

RFP AVAILABLE:  NIH-NINDS-02-02

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National 
Institutes of Health, announces the availability of a Request for Proposals 
(RFP) to supports the development and evaluation of insulating biomaterials 
that function reliably over the lifetime of an implant recipient.  Testing for 
these materials shall be done both in-vitro (under physiologic and accelerated 
test conditions) and in-vivo.  These biomaterials shall be suitable for 
insulating silicon-based, micromachines microelectrode arrays and connecting 
wire microcables that are placed in the central nervous system.  The 
Contractor shall develop and validate evaluation methods to test the long-term 
survival and biocompatibility of implanted devices protected using the 
developed insulating biomaterials.  The goals of this research are to develop 
biomaterials for the long-term electrical insulation of implanted neural 
prostheses and to validate material preparation and processing technology for 
consistent reliable application of these materials.  In-vivo and in-vitro 
studies will be conducted with a significant emphasis on chronic in-vivo 
evaluation.  In-vitro evaluation will focus on already identified promising 
materials such as liquid-crystal polymers, silicones, and fluropolymers and 
other materials that show significant potential for this application.  Methods 
for accelerated as well as non-accelerated in-vivo testing of insulating 
biomaterials will be developed and validated.  These in-vivo test systems then 
will be used to test the most promising materials identified by in-vitro soak 
testing.  Personnel with established expertise in bioengineering, 
biomaterials, and microelectronics will be needed to perform this research..  
It is anticipated that one cost-reimbursement type contract will be made for a 
period of four years in September 2002.  This is not a Request for 
Proposals (RFP).  

THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY ONLY.  It will be available 
electronically and may be accessed through the FedBizOpps (URL: 
http://www.fedbizopps.gov) or through the NINDS website at the following URL 
address:  (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/funding_announcements/RFP_all.htm) 
15 or more calendar days after the issuance of this synopsis.  OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE 
FOR ROUTINELY CHECKING THIS WEBSITE FOR ANY POSSIBLE SOLICITATION AMENDMENTS 
THAT MAY BE ISSUED.  NO INDIVIDUAL NOTIFICATION OF ANY AMENDMENTS WILL BE 
PROVIDED.  All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which shall be 
considered by the agency.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Laurie A. Leonard, Contracting Officer
Contracts Management Branch
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH
NeuroScience Center, Suite 3287
6001 Executive Boulevard, MSC 9531
Bethesda, Maryland  20892
301-496-1813
E-Mail:  [email protected]
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