SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- National Children's Study Initial/Vanguard Sites
- Notice Date
- 5/27/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Contracts Management Branch 6100 Executive Blvd., Suite 7A07, MSC7510, Bethesda, MD, 20892-7510
- ZIP Code
- 20892-7510
- Solicitation Number
- SS-NICHD-2004-07
- Response Due
- 7/12/2004
- Archive Date
- 8/15/2004
- Point of Contact
- Virginia DeSeau, Contracting Officer, Phone 301-435-6947, Fax 301-402-3676, - Charles Grewe, Deputy Chief, Contracts Management Branch, Phone 301-435-6957, Fax 301-402-3676,
- E-Mail Address
-
vd9t@nih.gov, cg59b@nih.gov
- Description
- SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is interested in identifying Small Business organizations having the ability to serve as one of the initial Study sites for the National Children?s Study (NCS). Background information on the NCS is available at www.nationalchildrensStudy.gov. The National Children?s Study is a longitudinal cohort Study that intends to examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of approximately 100,000 children. Environment is broadly defined to include biological, physical, chemical, and social/cultural influences on children?s health and development. Priority outcomes are expected to include obesity, diabetes, and physical development; injuries; asthma; pregnancy-related outcomes; child development and mental health. Children will be followed from before birth until the age of 21 years. The goal of the Study is to learn information that will ultimately lead to improvement in the health and well being of children. The NICHD is exploring various strategies to ensure that results from the Study have broad application to American children. A leading strategy for enrollment of Study participants is to enroll through approximately 30-50 sites across the country. Initially, approximately five sites will be selected to serve as initial or Vanguard sites. We anticipate that more sites may be added later under separate acquisitions. All Study sites will be expected to follow a common Study protocol. Additionally, the initial sites will pilot new Study procedures prior to implementation in the full complement of Study sites. It is expected that the full complement of Study sites will be subsequently phased-in as full funding for this effort becomes available. A SEPARATE SOLICITATION WILL BE RELEASED FOR A SINGLE, COMPETITIVELY AWARDED NCS COORDINATING CENTER (NCS-CC). To be deemed capable, a small business must: 1) Demonstrate a clear understanding of the complexity of this Study, including the need for complex multi-level sampling strategies for selection of Study neighborhoods and participants within neighborhoods; the longitudinal nature of the data collection; the need to collect, process, and ship environmental samples and biologic specimens from multiple sites; and the need to collect interview data from multiple participants including pregnant women, fathers, and other primary caregivers, and children; 2) Demonstrate ability to gain community support and input to optimize subject recruitment, retention, and dissemination of Study findings; 3) Provide evidence of ability to identify, recruit, and enroll at least 2000 maternal-infant dyads over a 4-year enrollment period; 4) Provide evidence of ability to collect, process and ship/transport biologic specimens from mothers, fathers, and offspring; and environmental specimens from the household and neighboring environment; 5) Provide evidence of the ability to enroll participants and collect Study specimens and information (environmental, interview, and biologic) prior to conception and early in pregnancy; 6) Demonstrate the ability to retain and follow Study participants from all socioeconomic groups, including the medically underserved. [It is anticipated that measurements that require in-person contact will occur at least three times during pregnancy, around the time of delivery, approximately 3 additional times in the first year of life, annually until 4 years of age, and every 3-5 years until the age of 21 years. Collection of interview data may occur at more frequent intervals.]; 7) Provide evidence of ability to collect cord blood and the placenta at the time of delivery; 8) Provide evidence of understanding and experience in packaging and transporting biological and non-biological samples to a repository(ies) from the site. (Note: The NCS-Coordinating Center will develop standard operating procedures in collaboration with the Study sites.); 9) Provide evidence of the ability to perform a standardized examination of the newborn as well as other clinical and neurodevelopmental exams throughout childhood; 10) Provide evidence of the ability (equipment and expertise) to perform 3-D fetal ultrasounds; Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA); Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA); detailed developmental and psychometric assessments; placement, calibration and use of instruments to collect environmental samples, and other measures as selected in the development of the protocol.; 11) Demonstrate previous experience in the implementation of Quality Assurance/Quality Control activities covering the collection of interview data; collection, storage, and shipping of biologic and environmental specimens; and collection of field observational data; 12) Provide evidence of qualified personnel to oversee all aspects of the Study, as outlined above. AT THIS TIME, ONLY CAPABILITY STATEMENTS ARE BEING REQUESTED FROM SMALL BUSINESSES. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The required service is defined as code 541710 under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For the purposes of this announcement, a small business is defined as one that has <500 employees. Small businesses that believe that they have the ability to satisfy all of the above stated capabilities, and who meet the stated size standards, are encouraged to submit a capability statement to the address indicated below within 45 days of the publication of this announcement. The capability statement should be limited to no more than fifteen (15) pages and it should address each of the competencies indicated above. If responses indicate the likelihood of satisfactory competition among qualified small businesses, the anticipated solicitation will be restricted to small businesses only. The reference number to be used for this announcement is: SS-NICHD-2004-07. Interested organizations should submit a letter of interest and a capability statement to Ms. Virginia A. DeSeau via E-mail, FAX or postal mail at the numbers and address listed below. All correspondence must cite the reference number as provided above. All sources that consider themselves qualified are encouraged to respond. See numbered note 26. Responses shall be sent to Virginia A. DeSeau, Contracting Officer, at nichdcmb@mail.nih.gov or addressed to the same at NICHD, CMB, Executive Building, Suite 7A07, 6100 EXECUTIVE BLVD MSC 7510, BETHESDA MD 20892-7510 ( if sending by overnight carrier-- 6100 Executive Boulevard, Suite 7A07, Rockville, Maryland 20852), or by fax to 301-402-3676. Questions may be referred by phone to (301) 435-6947.
- Record
- SN00593550-W 20040529/040527211822 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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