**General Information**

  --------------------- -------------------------------------------------
  Document Type:        Modification to a Previous Presolicitation Notice

  Solicitation Number:  BAA-NIH-NIAID-DAIT-07-35

  Posted Date:          Jun 30, 2006

  Archive Date:         Nov 01, 2006

  Original Response     Oct 31, 2006
  Date:                 

  Current Response      Oct 31, 2006
  Date:                 

  Classification Code:  A \-- Research & Development

  SetAsides:            

  Naics Code:           541710 \-- Research and Development in the
                        Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
  --------------------- -------------------------------------------------

**Contracting Office Address**

> Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of
> Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Office
> of Acquisitions 6700 B Rockledge Room 3214 MSC7612, Bethesda, MD,
> 20892-7612

**Description**

> NOTE: RESPONSE DATE CHANGED TO OCTOBER 31, 2006 As part of its
> biodefense research mission, the Division of Allergy, Immunology and
> Transplantation (DAIT), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
> Diseases (NIAID), announces a program to support a systems biology
> analysis of innate and/or adaptive immune responses to infection,
> vaccination, or immunotherapy, with a focus on NIAID Category A, B,
> and C priority pathogens (listed at
> http://www2.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/bandc_priority.htm).
> Immunological research that is not directed specifically at one or
> more NIAID Category A, B, or C priority pathogen or their products is
> responsive only if the research: 1) addresses a practical approach to
> inducing, controlling or improving the effectiveness of innate and/or
> adaptive immune responses to infection by those pathogens or vaccines
> or immunotherapies to prevent them; and 2) includes validation studies
> with at least one NIAID Category A, B or C priority pathogen to
> confirm the importance of the immunological pathway in protection of
> the host from, or clearance of that pathogen. The goal of this program
> is to develop a more comprehensive knowledge of innate and adaptive
> immune responses to bacteria and viruses or host responses to vaccines
> and immunotherapeutics against these pathogens, using a systems
> biology approach. Knowledge gained from these studies will advance our
> understanding of the delicate balance required to induce protective
> immunity against infectious agents, in particular NIAID Category A, B,
> and C priority pathogens, without accompanying immune-mediated damage
> to the individual. The systems biology analysis shall be based on
> high-throughput screens of existing or novel mouse models for
> identification of key regulatory immune response genes, supported by
> detailed genomics, proteomics, computational biology, and
> bioinformatics approaches to determine the gene products? functions in
> innate and/or adaptive immunity to infection with, or vaccination or
> immunotherapy against, NIAID Category A, B, and C priority pathogens.
> The systems biology analysis shall include: (1) High-throughput
> screens of mouse models for identification of key regulatory immune
> response genes. Forward genetic approaches are preferred for the
> generation of novel mouse models or study of existing models, since
> genes can be identified in the absence of a detailed knowledge of the
> genetic regulation of an observed phenotype. Some recommended genetics
> approaches include random mutagenesis using ethylnitrosourea (ENU), or
> large-scale analysis of recombinant inbred strains or congenic
> animals. More targeted high-throughput methods (e.g., high-throughput
> generation of targeted Knock-outs, Knock-ins, or deletion mutations)
> may be utilized with adequate justification of the benefits these
> approaches bring to large-scale identification of novel immune
> response genes; and (2) Human correlation studies for analysis of a
> subset of immune regulatory genes, identified in the mouse studies, in
> human cell or tissue samples. While human cell lines may be used in
> initial screens, results shall be validated in primary human cell
> lines or tissues. The analyses shall be designed to determine whether
> the immune response genes identified in the mouse function similarly
> in human immune cells. This RFP will be available electronically
> on/about June 30, 2006, and may be accessed through the FedBizOpps and
> the NIAID Office of Acquisitions (OA) Home Page at
> http://www.niaid.nih.gov/contract. All responsible sources may submit
> a proposal which will be considered by the agency. This notice does
> not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will
> be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted. See
> Government-wide Numbered Note 26. Point of Contact Wanda M. Neal,
> Contract Specialist, Phone 301-451-3685, Fax 301-480-4675, Email
> wneal@niaid.nih.gov ? Larry Butler, Team Leader DAIT RCB, Phone
> 301-496-0192, Fax 301-480-2622, Email lbutler@niaid.nih.gov.

**Point of Contact**

> Wanda Neal, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-451-3685, Fax 301-480-4675,
> Email WNeal@niaid.nih.gov - Lawrence Butler, Contracting Officer,
> Phone 301-496-0192, Fax 301-480-4675, Email lb13t@nih.gov