The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute plans to renew the requirement for the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Specifically, a Coordinating Center and four Field Centers will be sought to perform a five year follow-up of this population-based cohort study. The study was initiated in 1983 and involved the recruitment and examination of a total of 5,115 young adult men and women from four communities across the U.S. Since the baseline examination in 1985, this cohort has been followed for changes in and development of coronary heart disease risk factors and development of atherosclerosis. The incumbent contractors for the CARDIA Study are: Coordinating Center - University of Alabama in Birmingham; Field Centers - University of Alabama in Birmingham, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, and Kaiser Foundation Research Institute. The main goal of the study renewal is to identify risk factors for and assess racial differences in the development and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. The continued follow-up and examination of the CARDIA study will address the following five objectives: 1. Assess the impact of timing and varying levels of risk factors throughout young adulthood on the development of subclinical ventricular, vascular, and pulmonary function abnormalities in mid-life 2. Examine young adult antecedents and consequences of obesity and the longitudinal relationships and interactions among adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammation 3. Identify determinants and trajectories of subclinical disease development in women during menopause transition compared to men of similar age 4. Further assess the basis for racial differences in subclinical disease development 5. Provide a platform for in-depth ancillary studies in cardiovascular and other areas This requirement will call for an extensive comparison of the ongoing study, which will cover an examination and continued follow-up of the cohort. This will involve administering an eighth clinical examination of the surviving members of the original participants; continued performance of follow-up for morbidity and mortality; and performance of comprehensive laboratory and statistical activities, data analysis, and scientific publications efforts utilizing CARDIA data. The estimated award date will be September 30, 2008. All responsible sources are encouraged to submit written capability statements demonstrating their ability to perform this research effort on the same study participants by Friday, November 16, 2007. Responses providing insufficient information for evaluation will not be considered. This notice will close fifteen days after posting. This is not a request for proposals. All parties interested in this opportunity should contact the Contracting Officer, Cheryl Jennings, [email protected], 301-435-0347 or the Contracts Specialist, Jeffrey Williams, [email protected], at 301-435-0338 for further details.

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