The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Office of Acquisitions Station Support Simplified Acquisitions Branch on behalf of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, with Ann Reifman, Ph.D., 3000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20008, for professional services of a clinician with expertise in schizophrenia. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) and FAR 13.501 (a)(1) to use Simplified Acquisition Procedure for commercial items. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 622210 and the business size standard is $34.5 million.

The Clinical Brain Disorders Branch (CBDB) is part of the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH. It is the principle research laboratory in the newly created (2003) Genes, Cognition, and Psychosis Program (GCAP) of the NIMH. CBDB is a multidisciplinary neuroscience laboratory in which basic and clinical scientists work side by side exploring neural mechanisms and models of mental and cognitive function and of neuropsychiatric illness. Experiments are performed at many levels of inquiry, from basic molecular biology of the gene to clinical examinations of patients. A major area of investigation of this laboratory is the genetic mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and its treatment.

The CBDB is seeking the services of a clinician with expertise in schizophrenia to be part of its large research project investigating schizophrenia and genetics. The contractor will conduct in depth interviews of patients with severe mental illness, siblings of these individuals and control subjects to determine accurate clinical diagnoses. Patient records will also be examined to further evaluate clinical diagnosis. The contractor will work to establish a clinical diagnostic procedure that better reflects research needs and increase the ability of subjects - many of whom are psychotic and paranoid - to answer difficult questions about their illness. The contractor will monitor research efforts in other institutions. The contractor is also responsible for determining whether an individual meets the CBDB's clinical diagnostic criteria in order to participate in the NIMH's study.

Starting in 1970 Dr. Reifman worked at the Center for Studies of Schizophrenia and later at the Neuropsychiatry branch, both of NIMH. Dr. Reifman had coordinated a Clinical Psychology Internship which focused on the treatment of people with severe mental illness. Dr. Reifman was voted by the mental health clinicians (including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers) in the Washington DC area to be one of a handful of top therapists for people with schizophrenia. Based on her previous experiences and involvement with the studies at NIMH, Dr. Reifman is considered highly qualified and best candidate for the requirement.

The period of performance is to be twelve (12) months from date of award. Place of performance is to be at the NIH main campus located in Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The type of this acquisition is a fee-for-service.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the requirement as detailed above the said party may submit a statement of capabilities on or before 11:00 AM E.T., October 30, 2009 to Liem T Nguyen, [email protected]. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NIDA/NINDS to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award from the NIDA vendor must be registered in the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov. In addition, vendor must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference announcement number NOI-1307799 on all correspondence.

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