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CARDIA began in 1985 in four U.S. communities (Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; and Oakland, CA). The original cohort (n=5,115) was selected to have approximately the same number of participants in subgroups of age (18-24 and 25-30), sex, race (black and white), and education (high school or less and more than high school) within each community. Seven additional examinations have been completed every 2-5 years, including a Year 25 examination completed in 2011.
The objectives of the renewal of the CARDIA program are: (1) to perform a limited examination of the cohort to determine abnormalities in cardiac structure and function that exist in a community-based sample of mid-to-late middle-aged adults; to utilize novel measures to better understand myocardial dysfunction; to examine 25-year trajectories in cardiac structure and function; and to assess whether these abnormalities and trajectories differ between white and black adults; (2) to continue cohort follow-up for cardiovascular events, including heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation; and (3) to provide a platform for ancillary studies particularly to the cohort examination, a training ground for new investigators, and support data sharing. These objectives will be accomplished through annual follow-up and a ninth (Year 30) examination of the existing cohort.
The CARDIA Echocardiography Reading Center contractor shall be responsible for the tasks, including but not limited to the following:
• Develop the protocol for the acquisition and reading/information abstraction of the echocardiograms to be performed as part of the CARDIA Year 30 Exam.
• Determine comparability of the proposed CARDIA Year 30 echocardiographic measurement to that from the Year 5 and Year 25 Exams by performing repeat measures of about 200 digitized Year 5 echocardiographic studies and 200 Year 25 echocardiographic studies.
• Propose a plan to evaluate myocardial function using novel techniques, particularly left ventricular function from the Year 30 echocardiographic studies. This plan should be based on sound scientific evidence and hypotheses.
• Propose a plan to assess 25-year changes (from Year 5 to Year 30) in echocardiographic measurements utilizing the Year 5 and Year 25 results, particularly left ventricular structure and function, in the CARDIA cohort.
• Train and certify Field Centers' echocardiography technicians according to protocol.
• Train and certify echocardiography readers at the Reading Center according to protocol, as well as orient professional staff from the Coordinating Center and NHLBI Project Office who have quality assurance responsibilities
• Perform readings/information abstractions of echocardiograms in a timely manner during the pilot phase and throughout the Year 30 Exam period.
• In collaboration with the Steering Committee, provide advice on the development of clinical alert values for reporting results to participants.
• In collaboration with the Coordinating Center and Field Centers, provide timely reporting of clinically significant results to participants. Reviews for clinical alerts and referrals should be performed within 14 days.
• Track the receipt, reading, and storage of echocardiograms.
• Develop and implement short-term archiving during the Year 30 Exam at the Field Centers, long-term archiving and storage of echocardiograms, and timely creation of backup copies.
• Participate actively in data analysis, presentation, and publication using the echocardiographic data.
This announcement is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), although one (1) award is anticipated, the Government is not committed to award a contract pursuant to this announcement. The RFP, NHLBI-HV-13-18, detailing the specifics of the project as well as information pertinent to the development of an offeror's proposal will be available electronically on or about June 21, 2012 and will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities website at: http://www.fedbizopps.gov under the NHLBI posting section. No paper copies will be available. Proposals will be due on or about October 9, 2012. It is anticipated that one (1) cost-reimbursement contract award with options will be made for a period of five years beginning on or about July 01, 2013. Offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments and for routinely checking the Internet site for any possible solicitation amendments that may be issued by the Government. The advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.