The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), intends to procure on a sole-source basis with Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111 services regarding the evaluation of iron levels and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers in the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene (ATBC) Cancer Prevention Study.

This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR 13.106-(b)(1). The North American Industry Classification System Code is 541990 and the business size standard is $6.5M.

Period of performance: Performance shall be for one year from date of award.

The Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Group (http://dceg.cancer.gov/neb/research/ugcrg), based in the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI, conducts intramural research which predominantly focuses on nutritional exposures that may mediate risk of specific UGI malignancies, such as gastric adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The ultimate goal is to identify exposures that can be modified in order to reduce human cancer risk.

The overall purpose of this study is to study the association of serum ferritin and serum transferrin saturation with the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, adjusting for the likely confounding variable of inflammation (CRP).

The contractor shall do the following:

1. Measure serum ferritin using an immunoradiometric assay (Count-A-Count Ferritin IRMA: Diagnostic Products Los Angeles, CA) for each and every individual sample.

2. Measure serum iron and unsaturated iron binding capacity using a standard ferrozine-based iron colormetric assay (Olympus AU 400e auto analyzer) for each and every individual sample.

3. Measure CRP levels using a latex particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay kit (KASSAY CRP Ultra (Equal Diagnostics, Exton, PA)) for each and every individual sample.

The contractor shall do the above-mentioned analyses on all 82 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 257 gastric cancer, 339 matched control and 76 quality control samples.

An earlier analysis of serum ferritin, serum iron, unsaturated iron-binding capacity and CRP in a case-control study of colon cancer (Cross et al. 2006), also nested in the ATBC Cancer Prevention Study, used Dr. Wood's laboratory at Tufts University for its analytical measurements. The NCI will compare our results with the results of this previous study, to compare the effects of iron status on cancers of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. It is essential that the analyses be performed in the same laboratory. The laboratory of Tufts University is one of the few laboratories that can undertake such analyses with a high level of confidence, which has led to their international reputation for high quality mineral assessment.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished shall 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 by 1:00 PM EST on June 30, 2008. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Melissa Marino, Contract Specialist at marinome@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) www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference NCI-80077-MM on all correspondence.