National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, ESS, Executive Plaza South, Rm. 620, 6120 Executive Blvd., MSC 7224, Bethesda, MD 20892-7224

B -- HPV DNA AND SEROLOGIC TESTING FOR THE GUANACASTE PROJECT SOL N02-CP-81024-50 DUE 041198 POC Karen L. McFarlane, Contracting Officer, (301) 496-8611 WEB: http://rcb.nci.nih.gov/, http://cbdnet.access.gpo.gov. E-MAIL: Karen L. McFarlane, Contracting Officer, EES, RCB, NCI, km63k@nih.gov. The Environmental Epidemiology Branch (EEB) of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is seeking out a contractor(s) to conduct the HPV DNA and serologic testing for the Guanacaste Project. The NCI requires a single laboratory contractor or two separate contractors to provide accurate and reliable, timely DNA testing of cervical specimens for a wide spectrum of HPV types, and serologic testing of serum specimens for antibody to multiple types of HPV. Two separate contracts may be awarded, if it proves beneficial to the Government to have one group test DNA while another laboratory performs the serology. The total number of DNA specimens for the three-year contract period is estimated to be between 21,000 (24,000 -- 3,000 that have already been tested), while the total number of sera for the three-year contract period is estimated to be 24,000 (none have been tested). Thus, the laboratory will be required to demonstrate its ability to perform large numbers of assays quickly, accurately, and reliability with minimal batch-to-batch variability. This is not a scientific development project. Rather, the NCI is seeking laboratory support services using existent assay techniques or minor adaptations. Specifically, unless the offerer can convince NCI otherwise, the DNA assay shall be based on the frequently- published MY09-MY11 consensus primer PCR system of Manos and colleagues, and the serologic assay should be the widely-used L1 virus-like particle (VLP) ELISA of Lowy, Schiller, and Kirnbauer. It is anticipated than an incrementally funded, cost-reimbursement, completion type contract will be awarded for a three-year period. The anticipated RFP issue date is on or about March 11, 1998, with responses due approximately 30 calendar days after the actual issuance date. Collect calls will not be accepted. (0035)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0012 19980206\B-0002.SOL)