The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has a requirement for a Ultrasound Reading Center (USRC) to read scans performed as part of the renewal of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Small business firms having demonstrated research and development capabilities for collaboration in the coordination and implementation of designing a cardiovascular epidemiology study protocol and the capability of reading and information abstraction of ultrasound images for the study are invited to submit capabilities statements. CARDIA is a longitudinal cohort study designed to assess the development of CVD in men and women initially aged 18-30 years in four U.S. communities. In its year 20 examination, the study will assess measures of subclinical disease, or disease detected non-invasively before it has produced signs and symptoms. The proposed renewal of the CARDIA has four primary objectives: a. Identify predictors of earlier development and more rapid progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. b. Assess racial differences in severity and progress of early subclinical disease to elucidate possible differences in CVD pathogenesis. c. Test whether inflammation precedes subclinical disease. d. Assess the roles of genetic variation and gene by environment interactions in early development and progress of subclinical diseases.The CARDIA USRC will coordinate, at the direction of the Steering Committee and in collaboration with CARDIA Coordinating and four Field Centers, the development of protocols for ultrasound scans at each Field Center, and ultrasound reading and information abstraction at the Reading Center in accordance with the study design. Coordinate, at the direction of the Steering Committee and in collaboration with the Coordinating and Field Centers, the development of scores for morphological and physiological measurements from ultrasound scanning. These scores will be used as measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. The scores must be appropriate to the statistical distribution features characterizing a general population, most members of whom are clinically asymptomatic. Include suggested technical measurements and scoring procedures in the proposal. Train, certify and monitor performance of Field Center sonographers according to the ultrasound scanning protocol. Train and certify ultrasound readers at the Reading Center according to the reading and information abstraction protocol. Conduct a pilot test of the ultrasound protocol, including monitoring and evaluation for quality contract, during the protocol development/pilot testing phase, in collaboration with Coordinating and Field Centers. Performance readings and information abstractions of ultrasound scans on approximately 2,966 studies, including studies from the pilot phase, the 12-month examination periods, June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006, and rereads for quality control during the examination. Participate in various other activities including participate in the Steering Committee, Imaging Committee, and other subcommittees as necessary, and participate in data analysis and preparation of reports and manuscripts using the ultrasound data. Information should establish: (1) Professional qualifications, expertise, and experience of scientists and technical personnel in relevant areas including cardiac CT imaging, cardiovascular epidemiology, statistics and vascular biology. (2) Demonstrated capacity of individuals and the institutional support to perform the functions of a cardiac CT imaging reading center for a multi-center collaborative epidemiology study, including protocol development, information processing, and coding. (3) Availability and experience with facilities and equipment, including technical software and hardware to read cardiac CT images, and capability of transferring data between Field Centers and the Reading Center. (4) Evidence of ability to integrate potential advances in cardiac CT imaging technology into study protocol. (5) Evidence of the ability to assess and monitor quality control for obtaining and reading cardiac CT images. (6) Evidence of ability, software, and hardware for data management, including tracking of all Reading Center activities. (7) The firms status as a small business under NAICS Code 541710, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This is not a RFP. No RFP is available. Three hard copies of the material requested above should be submitted or electronically to [email protected] within 15 days from the publication of the CBD.

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