The U.S. EPA, National Center for Environmental Assessment, located in Washington, DC intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Dr. Wayne Berman to complete a project entitled "Study to Better Characterize Historical Asbestos Exposures." In the current IRIS profile there are a few uncertainties in unit cancer risk assessment. To reduce these uncertainties a reconciliation of disparities in current epidemiologic studies is warranted. The best way to evaluate the risk-per-unit-dose observed across the available epidemiologic studies would be to provide more detailed characterizations of the dusts to which the various asbestos workers were exposed and then to correlate associations across studies. Ideally, this could be accomplished by re-analyzing archived air sample filters that were used to characterize exposure in the original studies. However, such archived filters do not appear to exist. Because archived air samples do not appear to exist, the next best opportunity for characterizing the historical exposures is to collect appropriate samples of bulk materials representing the bulk materials handled by the various exposed cohorts and to analyze them using a method that allows for the characterization of dusts created from these samples. Thus, a project is needed in which appropriate bulk samples would be collected and analyzed using this method to provide a better characterization of historical exposures. This notice is not a request for quotations. EPA source research indicates Dr. Wayne Berman is the only known contractor with the appropriate level of technical knowledge necessary to complete this project. Dr. Berman developed a unique understanding of the operations, history, and the characteristics of ore deposits located in Quebec under a pilot study conducted for EPA last year. He possesses unique expertise in the area of risk assessment, exposure assessment, site investigation, and has developed methods capable of providing measurements of asbestos fibers that relate directly to risk and a new protocol for improved evaluation of asbestos for use in dose-response analysis. However, any firm believing itself capable of meeting EPA requirements may submit technical documentation to establish the potential of completing such work. Any such documentation must be submitted within 15 days of electronic posting of this notice (before 5:00 PM Thursday, May 29, 2003). Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. The applicable NAICS code is 541710. The anticipated award date is August 1, 2003. Interested parties should submit their technical documentation to Mr. Josh Bowers, using the following methods: 1.) by fax to 513.487.2109, or 2.) by email ([email protected]) referencing "Study to Better Characterize Historical Asbestos Exposures."

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