The objective of this contract is to provide the ability to obtain multiple slices of animals and specimens in multiple orientations (axial, coronal, sagittal, oblique) together with the unique soft tissue contrast provided by MRI that will enhance and allow for a more comprehensive evaluation of study material, will provide a guide to the pathologist regarding important sites for conventional pathology sampling, and will allow for mapping and characterization of structures (e.g., vascular architecture, volumetric reconstruction and measurement of brain structures) not easily done by conventional techniques. This provides a unique contribution to enhance our scientific capability and is, thus, an important advancement and contribution to the scientific community. The in vivo imaging capability will allow following the temporal pathogenesis and recovery from disease processes in the same animal, thereby providing information not otherwise available. Potential application of findings and techniques directly to human clinical medicine and pathology is anticipated. All studies performed under this contract that involve the processing of pathology specimens and the generation and/or interpretation of pathology and imaging data shall be conducted and documented following procedures that provide for the independent reconstruction of the work performed. The specimens and records resulting from these studies will be incorporated by NIEHS into the archival records for the respective studies and must be compatible with the NTP database (e.g., Oracle) currently in use. This contract will cover a five year period with one award and will provide for one yearly option. The estimated level of effort is 3,424 labor hours for the base contract and 768 labor hour for the yearly option. All requests must reference RFP No. 03-02 and must be directed to the office listed above. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Agency. See Numbered Note 26.

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