RFP ANNOUNCEMENT: Respiratory Pathogens Research Centers (RPRC) -- RFP NIAID-DMID-NIHAI2010091)

Notice Number: NOT-AI-11-019

Release Date: December 20, 2010

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports research related to the basic understanding of microbiology and immunology leading to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated diseases. The NIAID has a requirement for Respiratory Diseases Research Centers to support translational and clinical research for a variety of viral and bacterial respiratory diseases.

Under the current contracts, research progress has been made in several key areas. A major emphasis of the contract for vaccine respiratory pathogens research has been evaluating strategies to improve the effectiveness of influenza vaccines in populations at increased risk for complications from influenza and clinical studies of influenza vaccines with pandemic potential. The contract for bacterial respiratory pathogens research has focused on the development of a human challenge model for nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, treatment strategies for pseudomonas infections, and diagnostic methods to discriminate between colonization and infection with S. pneumoniae. These contracts have also provided resources for the respiratory diseases research community, including reagents (e.g. strains, reagents, clinical specimens, data, etc.) and services (e.g., assay support and training).

The purpose of this solicitation is to recompete this research program, under the title Respiratory Pathogens Research Centers (RPRC), to continue to provide DMID with the capability of conducting translational and clinical research focused on the development and optimization of control measures for viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens. Under the RPRC program, research on the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens such as S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, as well as influenza and RSV and the impact of bacterial/viral co-infections on disease progression and severity will be emphasized.

The RFP will be composed of two parts with separate contracts to be awarded for each Part:

PART A: Viral Respiratory Pathogens Research Center (VRPRC)

PART B: Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens Research Center (BRPRC)

Together, these programs comprise the NIAID Respiratory Pathogens Research Center (RPRC), which fills an important gap in NIAID's respiratory diseases research portfolio by supporting multidisciplinary translational and clinical research projects focused on developing information and tools and the evaluation of improved strategies for controlling these infections.

Each new contract will be awarded as a term (level of effort), cost-reimbursement contract with a base period (one year) and six one-year options to extend the term for a total of seven years. Additional options to incrementally increase effort each year may be required to respond to emerging needs. The activities to be supported under the term portion of the contract will include: 1) Establishment and Maintenance of the VRPRC/BRPRC; 2) VRPRC/BRPRC Translational Research Studies; 3) VRPRC/BRPRC Clinical Research Studies; 4) Project Development; 5) VRPRC/BRPRC Innovation Research Projects; 6) Provision of VRPRC/BRPRC Resources; 7) Provision/Release of VRPRC/BRPRC Data; 8) External Scientific Advisory Group; 9) Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources; and 10) Project Management.

Please direct all inquiries to:

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Division of Extramural Activities
Office of Acquisitions
6700-B Rockledge Drive
Room 3214, MSC 7612
Bethesda, MD 20892-7612

POINT OF CONTACT

Deborah Baca
Contract Specialist
Office of Acquisitions, Division of Extramural Activities, NIAID, NIH, DHHS
6700-B Rockledge Drive, Room 3214, MSC 7612
Bethesda, MD 20892-7612 (Express mail: Use Zip Code 20817-7612)
Phone 301-443-4490
Fax 301-402-0972
Email dbaca@niaid.nih.gov

Michael Finn
Contracting Officer
Office of Acquisitions, Division of Extramural Activities, NIAID, NIH, DHHS
6700-B Rockledge Drive, Room 3214, MSC 7612
Bethesda, MD 20892-7612 (Express mail: Use Zip Code 20817-7612)
Phone 301-496-3699
Fax 301-402-0972
Email finnm@niaid.nih.gov