SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- pilot investigation to assess the feasibility of launching a full-scale epidemiologic study of breast cancer risk in Ghana
- Notice Date
- 8/8/2012
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Blvd., EPS Suite 600, Rockville, Maryland, 20852
- ZIP Code
- 20852
- Solicitation Number
- NCI-120137-TG
- Archive Date
- 9/6/2012
- Point of Contact
- Terry Galloway, Phone: 301-402-4509, Caren N Rasmussen, Phone: (301) 402-4509
- E-Mail Address
-
gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov, cr214i@nih.gov
(gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov, cr214i@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Contracting Office Address Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 6120 Executive Boulevard, EPS Suite 600, Room 6074, Rockville, MD 20852, UNITED STATES. Description The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch (HREB) plans to procure on a sole source basis the services of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box 1934, Kumasi, Ghana to provide pilot investigation to assess the feasibility of launching a full-scale epidemiologic study of breast cancer risk in Ghana. This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1). Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a firm fixed price type contract. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the business size standard is $7.0 Million. Period of Performance: Performance shall be for the period of twelve (12) months from date of award. The Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch conducts research to identify groups at high risk of cancer, clarify the natural history of various cancers, understand the interactive effects of genetic and environmental factors on cancer risk, and elucidate biologic mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Breast cancer is becoming a more common disease in many African countries, with a high proportion of cases being diagnosed among young women and at more advanced stages than in developed parts of the world. Little is known about the determinants of cancer risk in this population. Although it is clear that there are unique genetic predictors of breast cancer in both African and African-American women, the role of most environmental factors is unclear. Thus, it remains to be determined whether there are certain risk factors that are modifiable that could impact the occurrence of disease. It is also unclear why so many women present with poor prognosis and/or advanced diseases that tend to be hormone receptor negative, and what factors or behaviors could be intervened on to lead to earlier detection and improved survival. This study will attempt to recruit the majority of breast cancer cases that are seen for clinical care in the entire county of Ghana. The reason for choosing Ghana for this procurement over other African countries relates to the following: 1) The NCI has previously conducted a successful study of prostate cancer in Accra and can utilize some of the infrastructure developed for that investigation. This includes experience in collecting, storing and transporting biologic samples, which will be a key component of this investigation. 2) The 2010 Census by the Ghanaian government will enable the selection of population controls for this investigation. Population controls are preferable over other types of controls, such as hospital controls, which can be associated with various selection biases. 3) A major focus of this study will be to identify genetic predictors of breast cancer risk among Africans that may also be predictive in African-Americans. The majority of African-Americans originally came through colonial-era slave colonies from west Africa (primarily from Ghana) and will have shared ancestry with African Americans. The specific objectives of this procurement are to 1) recruit at least 150 breast cancer patients and 300 population controls to participate in the epidemiologic study; 2) collect risk factor data, anthropometric measures, and biological specimens on eligible women who agree to participate in the study and provide informed consent; 3) monitor the completion and accuracy of study instruments and participant tracking forms; 4) collect and process biological specimens obtained from study participants according to protocols to be specified by NCI investigators; and 5) prospectively monitor the total number of women coming for breast biopsy or breast cancer treatment in order to determine the study participation rate. These data will be analyzed for participation rates, data completeness, and data quality in order to provide guidance as to whether specific components of the study (e.g., blood collection or stool sample collection) are less feasible than other components allowing for modification of the protocol prior to a long-term research commitment. Only two major hospitals in Ghana have the capability of providing both radiotherapy and chemotherapy for effective treatment. One of these two hospitals is Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which provides primary treatment to patients residing in the northern part of Ghana. The other hospital providing treatment for patients in Ghana is Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). By recruiting patients from these two hospitals, the NCI anticipates having coverage of all medically treated patients in the country. Patients seen at KATH are anticipated to reside in more rural locales, while those seen at KBTH will tend to be more urbanized. The identification of cases treated at KATH and review of sensitive information in their medical records, as required for this procurement, can only be accessed at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and it principal investigator Dr. Baffour and team in Kumasi, Ghana. Data from these records will be used to clinically characterize breast cancer cases into subgroups of specific etiologic interest (e.g., triple negative breast cancer cases). Medical record data will be used in conjunction with tissue markers, and tissue samples can only be obtained from these cases by the breast surgeons and pathologists who work at KATH under the supervision of Dr. Baffour, Medical Director at KATH. For these various reasons, KATH is the only institution that can provide the data required to allow this multidisciplinary study of breast cancer to meet the requirements of the study protocol. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI contracting office on or before 11:00 AM EST on August 22, 2010. No electronic capability statements will be accepted (i.e. email or fax), an original and one copy must be sent to the NCI contracting office to the address stated above. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Terry Galloway, Contract Specialist at gallowaytl@mail.nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract 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, contractors must have valid registration and certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), through the SAM.Gov website. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-120137-TG on all correspondences.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/RCB/NCI-120137-TG/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02831768-W 20120810/120809000903-ed53885ceeca4038e68978b8cab036e7 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |