NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Health Effects Laboratory Division (HELD), Toxicology and Molecular Biology Branch, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, hereby announces its intent to issue a purchase order to the University of Pittsburgh to assist NIOSH research scientist in developing and implementing state-of-the-art genetic data analyses and approaches as part of their research projects.

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Background
The services contemplated under this contract are considered to be an Other
Function as defined by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy in OFPP letter
11-01 and by HHS in Acquisition Policy Memorandum 2012-01.

Our projects focus on immune-mediated and chronic inflammatory diseases
including occupational asthma, chronic beryllium disease and irritant contact
dermatitis and investigate genotypes, haplotypes and interactions important in the
development, progression and severity of such diseases. These studies will also
assess gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.
CDC's mission is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and
controlling disease, injury, and disability. CDC seeks to accomplish its mission
by working with partners throughout the nation and world to monitor health,
detect and investigate health problems, conduct research to enhance prevention,
develop and advocate sound public health projects, implement prevention
strategies, promote healthy behaviors, foster safe and healthful environments, and
provide leadership and training.

II. Project Objectives
Genetic data is generated by high-density and high-throughput genotyping
platforms (5' nuclease real-time PCR, microarray technology-Illumina
GoldenGate genotyping assays). The genetic variations in MHC region are
investigated using SNP microarray platform from Illumina®. The MHC panel set
of Illumina® consists of two arrays (2,360 loci) with 2kb average spacing of the
MHC locus. The majority of markers are in strong linkage disequilibrium(LD) to
at least one other marker. Strong intergenic LD would complicate the assignment
of single association signals to particular MHC genes. Therefore, the LD pattern
in this region need to be characterized by using a dense map of SNPs and define
haplotypes blocks. The custom panel consists of ~1,536 variants that are known to
be involved in disease process. Using these platforms, we will examine the
influence of genetic variations in selected genes (immune/inflammatory,
antioxidant genes and other genes of interest) in the development and outcomes of
occupational diseases. The analyses will also include the assessment of gene-gene
and gene-environment interactions.

III. Scope of Work
The contractor will assist NIOSH research scientist in developing and
implementing state-of-the-art genetic data analyses and approaches as part of their
research projects. This includes to direct the genetic data analyses and produce the
summary results of data analyses, along with the formulation of the biological
hypotheses tested in the data analyses, in consultation with the NIOSH
investigator. Contractor will analyze raw microarray data, create novel
computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals,
develop new applications or customize existing applications to meet specific
scientific project needs and produce the summary results of computations.
Meetings will be arranged at regular intervals to discuss the progressions in data
analyses. Contractor will also assist NIOSH investigator to prepare the scientific
reports of data analyses for possible peer-reviewed publications.
Oversight and overall direction of the contractor's work will be provided by the
NIOSH Project Officer. The contractor will interact with, collaborate with, and
respond to feedback and technical direction from the Project Officer as
appropriate to the objectives of the project and the scope of work herein detailed.  Establishing the nature and extent of such interactions will be the responsibility of the contractor in consultation with the Project Officer, and will be in accordance with government contract procedures.

Responsible sources that believe they possess the expertise and capabilities identified above are encouraged to submit to the Contracting Officer within 15 days from the posting date of this notice, their written capabilities statement and pricing information in the format they choose, not to exceed 10 pages. Please forward the capability statement and pricing information to Rebecca Mullenax, Purchasing Agent, Reference 000HCCCB-2012-46227, Centers for Disease Control, NIOSH, ATTN: Rebecca Mullenax, MS: GD, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. All vendors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) prior to an award of a federal contract. The website is: www.ccr.gov.

The Government will review any/all capabilities statements and pricing information submitted and determine if other qualified sources do exist that could provide this requirement. Information received in response to this announcement will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

If no affirmative responses are received within 15 days, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), negotiations will be conducted with The University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3320, as the only source and a purchase order will be issued without any additional notices being posted.