DATA COORDINATING CENTER FOR THE OSTEOARTHRITIS INITIATIVE

Release Date:  July 19, 2001

NOTICE:  NOT-AR-01-008

RFP AVAILABLE:  NIH-NIAMS-02-02

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institute on Aging

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and 
the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, are seeking 
proposals for a multi-center, longitudinal, prospective, population-based 
study of knee osteoarthritis (OA) to develop a public domain research 
resource.  The purpose of this resource is to facilitate the scientific 
evaluation of biomarkers for osteoarthritis (OA) as potential surrogate 
endpoints for disease onset and progression.  This Request for Proposals is to 
solicit the Data Coordinating Center that will be advising and collaborating 
with the Clinical Centers in the development and implementation of the study 
protocol and the enrollment of subjects and the collection of data and 
biological specimens.  The Data Coordinating Center (DCC) will establish 
protocols, quality assurance methodologies, appropriate computer software for 
data collection and transmission and databases; will develop recruitment 
strategies for the Clinical Centers; and will evaluate, read, and interpret 
radiological materials generated by the Clinical Centers.  The DCC will also 
be expected to develop and implement bioinformatic protocols to handle the 
massive amounts of data generated and to establish and maintain a web site for 
these databases.  The DCC will be responsible for assimilating, storing, 
organizing, and coordinating the dissemination of data, x-ray images, and 
biological specimens from 5000 individuals enrolled in the study. It is 
intended that minorities and women shall be represented in proportions similar 
to those found in the U.S. population over the age of 50. 

It is anticipated that one cost reimbursement contract award will be made for 
a period of seven years beginning on or about June 1, 2002.  The solicitation 
NIH-NIAMS-02-02 will be available electronically on or about fifteen days from 
the date of this notice and may be accessed through the Internet at the 
following address:  http://www.nih.gov/niams/grants/rfp/rfplist.htm.  
Proposals will be due on or about November 7, 2001. Offerors are responsible 
for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments and for 
routinely checking the Internet site for any possible solicitation amendments 
that may be issued by the Government.  All responsible sources may submit 
proposals which will be considered by the Government. The North American 
Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541710. 
This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Eileen Webster-Cissel
Chief Contracting Officer
Contracts Management Branch, EP

National Institute of Arthritis and 
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 5AS13A
45 Center Drive, MSC 6500
Bethesda, Maryland  20892-6500
Telephone: 301-594-2543
FAX: 301-480-5996
Email address: ew52c@nih.gov

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