A -- MRI and Multimodality Imaging Facility for Small Rodent Species

This notice is a revision of Reference No. SS-ES-06-08.The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is requesting information to determine the availability of interested parties to provide support and interpretation of multimodality imaging capability, including but not limited to micro-CT, digital subtraction angiography, micro-PET, two-photon/one-photon confocal microscopy, and ultrasound imaging as well as operate an MRI and multimodality imaging facility for small rodent species in support for the NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program (NTP). Based upon the location of the appropriate equipment, the contractor may be required to work off-site. The Offeror shall provide support to: 1. Operate a Government-furnished 7 Tesla MRI system which consists of a 210 mm bore Magnex Scientific superconducting magnet with shielded gradients, a GE Medical Systems EXCITE console, and RF subsystems specific for imaging small laboratory rodent species. 2. Maintain and extend the capability of this system as required by the NIEHS for extended capabilities such as increased spatial resolution, specific tissue contrast, and high specimen throughput. 3. Perform MR imaging of rodent tissue specimens at a spatial resolution that is more than 300,000X greater than that routinely used on clinical imaging systems. The field of view for imaging may be directed at observations of the whole animal (e.g. mouse embryos or fetuses) and specific functional systems and /or organs (e.g. mouse brains, heart, lungs). This will entail; a.) The use of specialized tissue preparation methods for specimen fixation (use of alternate contrast agents, perfusion fixation), b.) Manufacture of specialized radiofrequency coils, and c.) Integration of unique image acquisition strategies and novel reconstruction methods to allow rapid acquisition (acquisition times of < 3 hrs) of very large high-quality image arrays (> 4 GB/image) with isotropic 3D spatial resolution < 25 microns. Tissue specimens shall be prepared in a manner that would permit subsequent evaluation of tissues by conventional histology following imaging. Additional modalities for imaging small laboratory rodents such as micro-CT, ultra sound, molecular imaging and other specialized optical modalities may be required. The Contractor shall develop and operate such systems as appropriate for small animal (rodent) imaging in support of NIEHS studies. 4. Perform longitudinal (in vivo) imaging studies in which the same animal(s) is/are imaged at multiple times to observe the time course and response (temporal pathogenesis and/or recovery) and pathology (development of anatomic features such as tumor growth) associated with exposure to xenobiotics. Such studies shall require the use of specialized equipment and procedures for animal support structures and anesthesia to minimize motion, careful control of body temperature, and radiofrequency coils adapted to the very high magnetic field environment. 5. Provide and/or use a government furnished web-accessible digital electronic system for managing the access, review, downloading, and the archive of digital image data files and collateral documents pertaining to scientific imaging studies. The system must have the capacity to handle an exceptionally broad range of digitized imagery including conventional histology, very large 3D image arrays generated in MR histology, microCT, microPET, power point presentations, scanned images and other imagery, data, and collateral documentation. This scientific imaging management system must include the capability of enabling any user at NIEHS to access the images, data sets, and collateral documents from multiple sites with commonly used personal computers and modes of Internet access. 6. Provide expertise/advice concerning rodent magnetic resonance image acquisition strategy, MRI image quality, and its biological and/or scientific significance. Participate in interpretation of the generated images and/or provide training in sample preparation and/or image interpretation for NIEHS investigators. 7. The contractor shall maintain compliance with Federal, State and Local laws, and NIH regulations such as the following: 1) The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544 as amended in 1970, 1976, and 1985) http://www.nal.usda.gov; 2) Standard Operating Procedures for Laboratory Animal Management that conform to the most recent versions of PHS and other public guidance. 3) NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW); 4) Association For Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC); 5) NIEHS Laboratory Health and Safety Minimum Requirement for Contractors; 6) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC, 1996); 7) FDA Good Laboratory Practices for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies (CFR 21 Part 85). MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS: The following mandatory qualification criteria must be met at the time of award: 1) the contractor shall provide an imaging facility, equipment except for magnet and APPROPRIATE staff dedicated exclusively to support of NIEHS/NTP studies; 2) the facility shall be located within a 30 to 45 minute driving time of the NIEHS main campus, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; 3) the facility shall be accessible to NIEHS/NTP scientists; 4) all components of the Imaging Facility and the support areas including offices, and laboratories and a facility for temporary housing of small laboratory rodents in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (PL89-544) shall be located on one site. For estimating purposes the Government estimates the level-of effort at 5,850 direct labor hours per year as follows: Professional 2,500 direct labor hours; Professional Support 1,000 direct labor hours; Technical 2,200 direct labor hours; Administrative Support 150 direct labor hours. INTERESTED OFFERORS SHOULD SUBMIT (5) COPIES OF THEIR CAPABILITY STATEMENT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN (15) PAGES IN LENGTH, EXCLUDING STANDARD BROCHURES, ETC., FOR RECEIPT BY THE AGENCY ON June 27, 2006. Please submit information to Patrick J. Barbour, Contract Specialist, NIEHS/OM/OA, P.O. Box 12874, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Courier address: Patrick J. Barbour, Contract Specialist, NIEHS/OM/OA, 79 TW Alexander Drive, Building 4401, Research Commons, Suite 100, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Inquiries will be accepted by fax (301) 451-5597 or e-mail [email protected]

THE PURPOSE OF THIS MODIFICATION IS TO CHANGE THE RESPONSE DATE IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH TO REFLECT OCTOBER 23, 2006. This notice is a revision of Reference No. SS-ES-06-08. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is requesting information to determine the availability of interested parties to provide support and interpretation of multimodality imaging capability, including but not limited to micro-CT, digital subtraction angiography, micro-PET, two-photon/one-photon confocal microscopy, and ultrasound imaging as well as operate an MRI and multimodality imaging facility for small rodent species in support for the NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program (NTP). Based upon the location of the appropriate equipment, the contractor may be required to work off-site. The Offeror shall provide support to: 1. Operate a Government-furnished 7 Tesla MRI system which consists of a 210 mm bore Magnex Scientific superconducting magnet with shielded gradients, a GE Medical Systems EXCITE console, and RF subsystems specific for imaging small laboratory rodent species. 2. Maintain and extend the capability of this system as required by the NIEHS for extended capabilities such as increased spatial resolution, specific tissue contrast, and high specimen throughput. 3. Perform MR imaging of rodent tissue specimens at a spatial resolution that is more than 300,000X greater than that routinely used on clinical imaging systems. The field of view for imaging may be directed at observations of the whole animal (e.g. mouse embryos or fetuses) and specific functional systems and /or organs (e.g. mouse brains, heart, lungs). This will entail; a.) The use of specialized tissue preparation methods for specimen fixation (use of alternate contrast agents, perfusion fixation), b.) Manufacture of specialized radiofrequency coils, and c.) Integration of unique image acquisition strategies and novel reconstruction methods to allow rapid acquisition (acquisition times of < 3 hrs) of very large high-quality image arrays (> 4 GB/image) with isotropic 3D spatial resolution < 25 microns. Tissue specimens shall be prepared in a manner that would permit subsequent evaluation of tissues by conventional histology following imaging. Additional modalities for imaging small laboratory rodents such as micro-CT, ultra sound, molecular imaging and other specialized optical modalities may be required. The Contractor shall develop and operate such systems as appropriate for small animal (rodent) imaging in support of NIEHS studies. 4. Perform longitudinal (in vivo) imaging studies in which the same animal(s) is/are imaged at multiple times to observe the time course and response (temporal pathogenesis and/or recovery) and pathology (development of anatomic features such as tumor growth) associated with exposure to xenobiotics. Such studies shall require the use of specialized equipment and procedures for animal support structures and anesthesia to minimize motion, careful control of body temperature, and radiofrequency coils adapted to the very high magnetic field environment. 5. Provide and/or use a government furnished web-accessible digital electronic system for managing the access, review, downloading, and the archive of digital image data files and collateral documents pertaining to scientific imaging studies. The system must have the capacity to handle an exceptionally broad range of digitized imagery including conventional histology, very large 3D image arrays generated in MR histology, microCT, microPET, power point presentations, scanned images and other imagery, data, and collateral documentation. This scientific imaging management system must include the capability of enabling any user at NIEHS to access the images, data sets, and collateral documents from multiple sites with commonly used personal computers and modes of Internet access. 6. Provide expertise/advice concerning rodent magnetic resonance image acquisition strategy, MRI image quality, and its biological and/or scientific significance. Participate in interpretation of the generated images and/or provide training in sample preparation and/or image interpretation for NIEHS investigators. 7. The contractor shall maintain compliance with Federal, State and Local laws, and NIH regulations such as the following: 1) The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544 as amended in 1970, 1976, and 1985) http://www.nal.usda.gov; 2) Standard Operating Procedures for Laboratory Animal Management that conform to the most recent versions of PHS and other public guidance. 3) NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW); 4) Association For Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC); 5) NIEHS Laboratory Health and Safety Minimum Requirement for Contractors; 6) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC, 1996); 7) FDA Good Laboratory Practices for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies (CFR 21 Part 85). MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS: The following mandatory qualification criteria must be met at the time of award: 1) the contractor shall provide an imaging facility, equipment except for magnet and APPROPRIATE staff dedicated exclusively to support of NIEHS/NTP studies; 2) the facility shall be located within a 30 to 45 minute driving time of the NIEHS main campus, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; 3) the facility shall be accessible to NIEHS/NTP scientists; 4) all components of the Imaging Facility and the support areas including offices, and laboratories and a facility for temporary housing of small laboratory rodents in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (PL89-544) shall be located on one site. For estimating purposes the Government estimates the level-of effort at 5,850 direct labor hours per year as follows: Professional 2,500 direct labor hours; Professional Support 1,000 direct labor hours; Technical 2,200 direct labor hours; Administrative Support 150 direct labor hours. INTERESTED OFFERORS SHOULD SUBMIT (5) COPIES OF THEIR CAPABILITY STATEMENT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN (15) PAGES IN LENGTH, EXCLUDING STANDARD BROCHURES, ETC., FOR RECEIPT BY THE AGENCY ON October 23, 2006. Please submit information to Patrick J. Barbour, Contract Specialist, NIEHS/OM/OA, P.O. Box 12874, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Courier address: Patrick J. Barbour, Contract Specialist, NIEHS/OM/OA, 79 TW Alexander Drive, Building 4401, Research Commons, Suite 100, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Inquiries will be accepted by fax (301) 451-5597 or e-mail [email protected]