The Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch (CRHB) of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is planning a procurement of research using sexually transmitted infection (STI) model(s) using the contract mechanism. The CRHB is seeking to evaluate the utility of colposcopically-identified vaginal/cervical lesions to alterations in epithelial susceptibility to STIs. Research activities within this project will include description of both naturally-occurring and exogenously-produced lesions of the vaginal/cervical epithelium, establishment of the natural history of such lesions, performance of STI-challenge and infection measurement, and all support and data management activities associated therewith. The project will require maintenance of the animals involved in the STI model as well as acquisition of biological samples and performance of biochemical and immunologic assays. The Government seeks organizations with established capability in models of sexually transmitted infection via the vaginal/cervical epithelium. The contractor must also have demonstrated experience with performance of colposcopic exams consistent with the Manual for the Standardization of Colposcopy for the Evaluation of Vaginal Products: Update 2004 (World Health Organization and Contraceptive Research and Development organization). If utilizing animals, the contractor shall document that its facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. The required service is defined as code 541710 under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For the purposes of this requirement, a small business is defined as one that employs no more than 500 persons. Small businesses that believe they have the ability to satisfy the stated requirement, and meet the above size standards, are encouraged to submit a capability statement within 20-days of the publication of this synopsis. Your capability statement should be limited to twenty pages or less and include; 1) a description of relevant experience in the use of non-human models of STI transmission via genital tract epithelium, including any publications; 2) experience of staff with the performance of colposcopy; and 3) a description of available equipment and facilities and accreditation, as appropriate. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. If responses indicate the likelihood of satisfactory competition among qualified small businesses, the anticipated solicitation will be restricted to small businesses only. Interested organizations should submit a letter of interest and capability statement, via E-mail, FAX, or mail, within 20 days of the date of this publication, to: Ms. Annette Carter Contract Specialist Contracts Management Branch, OAM, NICHD 6100 Executive Boulevard, Suite 7A07, MSC 7510 Bethesda, MD 20892-7510 Telephone: 301-496-4611 FAX: 301-402-3676 E-mail: [email protected]

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