The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG),plans to procure assays (IGF-1), (IGFBP-1), and (IGFBP-3), Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) axis measured in Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-Sodium (DASH Sodium) trial, from St. Joseph Hospital, 360 Broadway, Bangor, Maine 04401. The acquisition is being conducted under the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 541380 and the business size standard is $6M. The proposed analyses will determine the effect of the DASH-Sodium diets on serum IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) -3, and IGFBP-1. From stored serum specimens, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-1 will be assessed, and the changes from baseline will be compared across diets. The DASH and DASH Sodium clinical feeding trials (both completed) were studies that demonstrated that compared to a typical American diet (control), a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and reduced in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol as well as, a diet with lower than average salt intake could substantially lower blood pressure in subjects with and without high blood pressure. The studies were done extramurally at Johns Hopkins University. DASH-Sodium was funded by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI); studies U01-HL57139 and K08 HL03857-01. Specimens used for this study must come from the Johns Hopkins site. The contractor shall measure IGF-1, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations on stored blood samples from a pilot study of subjects fed a high fat/low fiber (39.5% fat, 15.6% protein, 46.4% carbohydrate, 5 gms crude dietary fiber) vs. low fat/high fiber (18.3% fat, 18.7% protein, 66.1% carbohydrate, 14 gms crude dietary fiber) crossover design, 10-week feeding trial. NCI requires the assays from MEDCORE laboratory to get comparable assay results. St. Joseph's Hospital is the only source known to the NCI that can supply the required assays. The assay samples for the pilot study are from the "Metabolic effects of changes in dietary fat and fiber in men." It was an NCI study done in 1986 by the Project Officer when working for the Cancer Prevention Studies Branch in DCPC in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The laboratory at St. Joseph's Hospital measured the IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3 analytes on this pilot study. NCI must have comparable results for the analytes of that which were done on the pilot study, whose results are mentioned above. St. Joseph's performed the first of these assays. The requirement shall measure the results of the assays. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotation. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The capability statement and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can fully meet the requirements herein. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 1:00 PM EDT (local Washington DC time) on May 27, 2003. If you have any questions, please submit them in writing via electronic mail to Malinda Holdcraft, Purchasing Agent on [email protected] or by fax 301-402-4513. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received shall be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted.

Bid Protests Not Available