<PAGE>
                                                                               .
                                                                               .
                                                                               .
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.50


<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>                            <C>
AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT      1. CONTRACT ID NO.             PAGE OF PAGES
                                                            N01-HB-07148                 1       3
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                  <C>                                 <C>
2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.      3. EFFECTIVE DATE    4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ NO.     5. PROJECT NO. (if applicable)
      Nine (9)                         See Block 16C.                   N/A
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                  <C>                                                <C>
6. ISSUED BY                       code                 7. ADMINISTERED BY (if other than item 6)          CODE

National Health, Lung & Blood Institute, NIH
Rockledge II Building, Room 6134                           BDR Contracts Section, COB DEA
6701 ROCKLEDGE DR MSC 7902                                 AIIN:268007148
BETHESDA MD 20892-7902                                     OMB No. 0990-0115
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county , State and ZIP Code)    (X) 9A.   AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

                                                                                    9B.   DATED (SEE ITEM 13)
Gen-Probe, Inc.
10210 Genetic Center Drive                                                          10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.
San Diego, California 92121-4362
                                                                                              N01-HB-07148

                                                                                    10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                                                       <C>
CODE                               FACILITY CODE                                             January 1, 2000
</TABLE>

              11. THIS ITEM APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[ ] The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour
and date specified for receipt of offers [ ] is extended, [ ] is not extended.
Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date
specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning _________copies of the
amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the
offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a
reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR
ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS
PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If
by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted,
such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter
makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to
the opening hour and date specified.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (if required)    FY 2004 FUNDS OBLIGATED THIS MODIFICATION: $4,300,029.00

O.C. 25.55   Doc. No. 300N1HB07148A  DUNS 115337123    EIN: 1-33-0044608-A2      C.A.N. 4-8424361
</TABLE>

        13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,
          IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

(X)  A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES
        SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

     B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE
        ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation
        date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR
        43.103(b).

(X)  C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

     FAR 1.602-1 and by mutual agreement

     D. OTHER (specify type of modification and authority)

E.   IMPORTANT: Contractor [ ] is not, [X] is required to sign this document and
     return 2 copies to the issuing office.

14.  DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings,
including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PURPOSE: This modification provides funding for Phase 2 to begin clinical trial
         work for an assay to detect the West Nile Virus in donors of organs and
         blood and to extend the contract through September 30, 2004 to complete
         this work.

                                                             COST
                                                       ---------------
AMOUNT:                   Previously obligated amount: $ 11,221,950.00
         Funds obligated this modification (increase): $  4,300,029.00
                                                       ---------------
                        Total funds obligated to date: $ 15,521,979.00
                            To be obligated in future:            0.00
                                                       ---------------
                                Total contract amount: $ 15,521,979.00 (CHANGED)

<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
EXPIRATION DATE: September 30, 2004 (CHANGED)    CONTRACT TYPE: Cost-Reimbursement-Completion
</TABLE>

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced
in item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force
and effect.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)                   16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)
             HENRY L. NORDHOFF                                                      Lynda A. Bindseil
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>               <C>                                           <C>
15B.  CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR                      15C. DATE SIGNED  16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA                 16C. DATE SIGNED
     /s/ Henry L. Nordhoff                          4-Nov-03    By   /s/ Lynda A. Bindseil                           11/5/03
     -------------------------------------                           --------------------------------------
    (Signature of person authorized to sign.)                        (Signature of Contracting Officer)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>                           <C>                                <C>
NSN 7540-01-152-8070                                       30-105                             STANDARD FORM 30 (REV, 10-83)
PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE    [approved legal department]                                                  Prescribed by GSA
                                                                                                        FAR (48 CFR) 53.243
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

CONTRACT N01-HB-07148
MODIFICATION NO 9                                                    PAGE 2 OF 3

BEGINNING WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNMENT
AND THE CONTRACTOR MUTUALLY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1.   ARTICLE B.2. ESTIMATED COST, paragraphs a., b., c., d., and e. are hereby
     revised as follows:

     "a.  This is a cost-sharing contract. The total estimated cost of
          performing the work under this contract is increased by $5,567,941,
          from $23,571,950 to $29,139,891. For further provisions regarding the
          specific cost-sharing arrangement, see ARTICLE B.4. ADVANCE
          UNDERSTANDINGS.

     b.   For purpose of the clause of the General Clauses entitled LIMITATION
          OF FUNDS, the total estimated cost to the Government is increased by
          $4,300,029, from $11,221,950 to $15,521,979.

     c.   Total funds currently available for payment and allotted to this
          contract are increased by $4,300,029, from $11,221,950 to $15,521,979.
          For further provisions on funding, see the LIMITATION OF FUNDS clause
          referenced in Part II, ARTICLE I.2. Authorized Substitutions of
          Clauses."

     d.   It is estimated that the amount currently allotted to the contract
          will cover performance through September 30, 2004.

     e.   Future increments to be allotted to this contract are as follows:
          None"

2.   ARTICLE B.4. ADVANCE UNDERSTANDINGS, paragraph c. is revised and replaced
     as follows:

     "C.  COST SHARING

     (1)  This is a cost-sharing contract. Monies shall be provided for the
          total cost of performance from the National Institutes of Health,
          National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Gen-Probe Incorporated.

     (2)  The Government shall provide monies in an amount not to exceed
          $15,521,979. The Contractor's share is estimated at $13,617,912 OR
          46.74% of the total estimated cost set forth in ARTICLE B.2. ESTIMATED
          COST, paragraph a.

     (3)  The Contractor shall maintain records of all contract costs (including
          costs claimed by the Contractor as being its share) and such records
          shall be subject to the Audit and Records clause of the General
          Clauses.

     (4)  Costs contributed by the Contractor shall not be charged to the
          Government under any other contract, grant, or cooperative agreement
          (including allocation to other grants, contracts, or cooperative
          agreements as part of an independent research and development
          program). The Contractor shall report the organization's share of the
          costs on its invoices to the Government as referenced in ARTICLE
          B.4.d.(1)."

3.   ARTICLE H.4. CONTINUED BAN ON FUNDING OF HUMAN EMBRYO RESEARCH,
     paragraph b. is updated to add:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
B. PUBLIC LAW AND SECTION NO.          FISCAL YEAR        PERIOD COVERED
<S>                                    <C>                <C>
    P.L. 107-116 Section 510           2002               10/01/01-09/30/02

    P.L. 108-7, Division G, Title V-   2003               10/1/02-9/30/03

    General Provisions, Section 510
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

CONTRACT N01-HB-07148
MODIFICATION NO 9                                                    PAGE 3 OF 3

4. ARTICLE H.5. NEEDLE EXCHANGE, paragraph b. is updated to add:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
B. PUBLIC LAW AND SECTION NO.          FISCAL YEAR        PERIOD COVERED
<S>                                    <C>                <C>
    P.L. 107-116 Section 505           2002               10/01/01-09/30/02

    P.L. 108-7, Division G, Title V-   2003               10/1/02-9/30/03

    General Provisions, Section 505
</TABLE>

5.   ARTICLE H.8. SALARY RATE LIMITATION LEGISLATION PROVISIONS, paragraphs b.
     and c. are updated to add:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
B. PUBLIC LAW AND SECTION NO.          FISCAL YEAR        SALARY LIMITATION
<S>                                    <C>                <C>
    P.L. 107-116 Section 505           2002               $166,700

    P.L. 108-7, Division G, Title II-  2003               Executive Level I

    General Provisions, Section 204
</TABLE>

     c.   Direct salaries which will be paid with FY-03 funds are limited to the
          Executive Level I rate which was in effect on the date(s) the expense
          was incurred.

     *For contract expenditures using FY-03 funds, the period 10/1/02 -12/31/02
     the Executive Level rate is $166,700. Effective 1/1/03, for contract
     expenditures using FY-03 funds, the Executive Level I rate is increased to
     $171,900 and will remain at that level until such time as it is determined
     to raise the Executive Schedule annual rates. See the web site listed below
     for Executive Schedule rates of pay.

     LINK to EXECUTIVE LEVEL SALARIES: http://www.Opm.gov/oca/PAYRATES/index.htm

     (Click on "Executive Schedule" for the current Fiscal Year's salary rate or
     scroll down to the "General Schedule Salary Tables from Previous Years" to
     locate the Executive Level salary rates from previous years.)

6. ARTICLE H.10. PRESS RELEASES, paragraph b. is updated to add:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
B. PUBLIC LAW AND SECTION NO.          FISCAL YEAR        PERIOD COVERED
<S>                                    <C>                <C>
    P.L. 107-1 16 Section 507          2002               10/1/01-09/30/02

    P.L. 108-7, Division G, Title V-   2003               10/1/02-9/30/03

    General Provisions, Section 507
</TABLE>

7.   SECTION J, LIST OF ATTACHMENTS, paragraph V. is replaced with the attached
     Small and Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Plan, dated October 1,2003,
     7 pages.

<PAGE>

                       SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

                                                   DATE OF PLAN: OCTOBER 1, 2003

CONTRACTOR: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED

ADDRESS: 10210 GENETIC CENTER DRIVE
         SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121

SOLICITATION OR CONTRACT NUMBER: RFP NHLBI N01-HB-07148

ITEM/SERVICE (Description): REFINEMENT OF NEW ASSAYS FOR DIRECT DETECTION OF
NUCLELC ACIDS IN DONATED ORGANS/ WEST NILE VIRUS - PHASES 1 AND 2

TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT: $15,522,979 [Revised Plan]

TOTAL MODIFICATION AMOUNT, IF APPLICABLE $ 4,300,029

PERIOD OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE (Month, Day & Year): 1/1/00 TO 9/30/04

The following outline meets the minimum requirements of section 8(d) of the
Small Business Act, as amended, and implemented by Federal Acquisition
Regulations (FAR) Subpart 19.7. While this outline has been designed to be
consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements, other formats of a
subcontracting plan may be acceptable. It is not intended to replace any
existing corporate plan that is more extensive. Failure to include the essential
information of FAR Subpart 19.7 may be cause for either a delay in acceptance or
the rejection of a bid or offer when a subcontracting plan is required.
"SUBCONTRACT," as used in this clause, means any agreement (other than one
involving an employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Federal
Government prime contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services
required for performance of the contract or subcontract.

1.   TYPE OF PLAN (CHECK ONE)

[X]  INDIVIDUAL PLAN (all elements developed specifically for this contract and
     applicable for the full term of this contract).

[ ]  MASTER PLAN (goals developed for this contract) all other elements
     standardized and approved by a lead agency Federal Official; must be
     renewed every three years and contractor must provide copy of lead agency
     approval.

[ ]  COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICE PLAN This plan is used when the contractor
     sells products and services customarily used for non-government purposes.
     Plan/goals are negotiated with the initial agency on a company-wide basis
     rather than for individual contracts. The plan is effective only during the
     year approved. The contractor must provide a copy of the initial agency
     approval, and must submit an annual SF 295 to HHS with a breakout of
     subcontracting prorated for HHS (with OPDIV breakdown, if possible.)

2.   GOALS

State separate dollar and percentage goals for Small Business (SB), Small
Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB), Historically
Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business, Veteran-owned Small
Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and
"Other than small business" (Other) as subcontractors, for the base year and
each option year, as specified in FAR 19.704 (break out and append option year
goals, if the contract contains option years) or project annual subcontracting
base and goals under commercial plans.

Small Business Subcontracting Plan                                        Page 1

<PAGE>

a.   Total estimated dollar value of ALL planned subcontracting, i.e., with ALL
     TYPES OF CONCERNS under this contract is $ 5,369,452 (b + h = a) (Base
     Year)

b.   Total estimated dollar value and percent of planned subcontracting with
     SMALL BUSINESSES (including SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB): (% of
     "a") $ 1,252,666 and 23.3% (Base Year)

c.   Total estimated dollar value and percent of planned subcontracting with
     SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES: (% of "a") $ 64,226 and 1.2% (Base Year)

d.   Total estimated dollar value and percent of planned subcontracting with
     WOMAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES: (% of "a") $ 80,443 and 1.5% (Base Year)

e.   Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with HUBZONE
     SMALL BUSINESSES: (% OF "A") $ 32,087 and 0.6% (Base Year)

f.   Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with
     VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES: (% of "a") $ 16,043 and 0.3% (Base Year)

g.   Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with
     SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES: (% of "a) $ 0 and 0.0%
     (Base Year)

h.   Total estimated dollar and percent of planned subcontracting with "OTHER
     THAN SMALL BUSINESSES": (% OF "a") $ 4,116,786 and 76.7% (Base Year)

i.   Provide a description of ALL the products and/or services to be
     subcontracted under this contract, and indicate the size and type of
     business supplying them (check all that apply).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Product/Service        Other   SB    SDB   WOSB   HUBZone   VOSB   SDVOSB
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>     <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>
Materials & Supplies        X      X     X      X       X        X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplies                    X      X     X      X       X        X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel                      X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specimen Procurement        X      X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kit Reagents - Dev lots     X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kit Reagents - Clinical     X
lots

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

j.   Provide a description of the method used to develop the subcontracting
     goals for SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, and VOSB concerns. Address efforts made
     to ensure that maximum practicable subcontracting opportunities have been
     made available for those concerns and explain the method used to identify
     potential sources for solicitation purposes. Explain the method and state
     the quantitative basis (in dollars) used to establish the percentage goals.
     Also, explain how the areas to be subcontracted to SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone,
     and VOSB concerns were determined, how the capabilities of these concerns
     were considered contract opportunities and how such data comports with the
     cost proposal. Identify any source lists or other resources used in the
     determination process.

THE SINGLE LARGEST EXPENSE IS FOR KIT REAGENTS, WHOSE QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS
DICTATE THE MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS THAT CAN BE UTILIZED. UNFORTUNATELY, IN
SPITE OF EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY AND UTILIZE SMALL DISADVANTAGED OR WOMAN OWNED
BUSINESSES THAT CAN MEET STRICT FDA REQUIREMENTS, WE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. WE
WILL CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS THAT CAN PROVIDE THESE
CONTROLLED MATERIALS UNDER SPECIALIZED GMP REQUIREMENTS FOR CBER LICENSED
PRODUCTS. LAB MATERIALS ARE ALSO UNIQUE WITH QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS THAT LIMIT THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED SUPPLIERS. SPECIMEN COLLECTION
FOR WEST NILE END OTHER INFECTIOUS AGENTS ARE UNIQUE - ONLY 4 SUPPLIERS THAT WE
ARE AWARE OF; IN SOME CASES ONLY ONE. NONE OF THESE VENDORS ARE DISADVANTAGED,
WOMAN OWNED OR VETERAN BUSINESSES.

Small Business Subcontracting Plan                                        Page 2

<PAGE>

GOALS FOR UNCONTROLLED MATERIALS AND SERVICES WERE BASED ON USE OF CURRANT AND
PROJECTED SUPPLIERS. WE ARE ACTIVELY PURSUING NEW SUPPLIERS THAT MEET THE
NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS. WE ROUTINELY CHECK SMALL BUSINESS WEB SITES, SUCH AS
PRONET, TO ACCESS THE AVAILABILITY OF QUALIFIED SUPPLIERS. THE LOCAL SAN DIEGO
BIOTECH ORGANIZATION, BIOTECH, IS ALSO ROUTINELY CONTACTED FOR POSSIBLE LEADS.

IN ADDITION, WE CONTINUE TO UPDATE OUR SUPPLIER FILES TO BETTER CATEGORIZE THEIR
SMALL BUSINESS STATUS. THIS INFORMATION WILL BE MOVED FROM A STAND-ALONE
DATABASE TO AN ON-LINE ERP SYSTEM, WHICH WILL AUTOMATE THE COLLECTION OF DATA
AND PROVIDE REAL-TIME INFORMATION TO THE BUYERS, HELPING THEM TO IDENTIFY AND
USE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS. THIS IS PLANNED FOR THE 3RD OR 4TH QUARTER 2004.

k.   Indirect costs [ ] have, [X] have not been included in the dollar and
     percentage subcontracting goals above (check one).

l.   If indirect costs have been included, explain the method used to determine
     the proportionate share of such costs to be allocated as subcontracts to
     SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB concerns.

3.   PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR:

     NAME/TITLE:      THOMAS W. LARKIN - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PROCUREMENT
     ADDRESS:         10210 GENETIC CENTER DRIVE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92121
     TELEPHONE:       858-410-8682
     E-MAIL:          TOML@GEN-PROBE.COM

DUTIES: Individual named above has general overall responsibility for the
company's subcontracting program, i.e., developing, preparing, and executing
subcontracting plans and monitoring performance relative to the requirements of
those subcontracting plans and perform the following duties:

     a.   Develops and promotes company-wide policy initiatives that demonstrate
          the company's support for awarding contracts and subcontracts to SB,
          SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB concerns; and assures that these
          concerns are included on the source lists for solicitations for
          products and services they are capable of providing;

     b.   Develops and maintains bidder source lists of SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone,
          VOSB, and SDVOSB concerns from all possible sources;

     c.   Ensures periodic rotation of potential subcontractors on bidder's
          lists;

     d.   Ensures that SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB businesses are
          included on the bidders' list for every subcontract solicitation for
          products and services that they are capable of providing;

     e.   Ensures that Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are designed to permit the
          maximum practicable participation of SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and
          SDVOSB concerns;

     f.   Reviews subcontract solicitations to remove statements, clauses, etc.,
          which might tend to restrict or prohibit SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB,
          and SDVOSB participation;

     g.   Accesses various sources for the identification of SB, SDB, WOSB,
          HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB concerns to include the SBA's PRO-Net and
          SUB-Net Systems, (http://www.sba.gov), the National Minority
          Purchasing Council Vendor Information Service, the Office of Minority
          Business Data Center In the Department of Commerce, local small
          business and minority associations, contact with local chambers of
          commerce and Federal agencies' Small Business Offices;

Small Business Subcontracting Plan                                        Page 3

<PAGE>

     h.   Establishes and maintains contract and subcontract award records;

     i.   Participates in Business Opportunity Workshops, Minority Business
          Enterprise Seminars, Trade Fairs, Procurement Conferences, etc;

     J    Ensures that SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB concerns are
          made aware of subcontracting opportunities and assisting concerns in
          preparing responsive bids to the company;

     k.   Conducts or arranges for the conduct of training for purchasing
          personnel regarding the intent and impact of Section 8(d) of the Small
          Business Act, as amended;

     l.   Monitors the company's subcontracting program performance and makes
          any adjustments necessary to achieve the subcontract plan goals;

     m.   Prepares and submits timely, required subcontract reports;

     n.   Coordinates the company's activities during the conduct of compliance
          reviews by Federal agencies related to this subcontracting plan.

4. EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY

Describe efforts the offerer will make to ensure that SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone,
VOSB, and SDVOSB concerns will have an equitable opportunity to compete for
subcontracts. These efforts include, but are not limited to, the following
activities:

a. Outreach efforts to obtain sources:

     1.   Contacting minority and small business trade associations; 2)
          contacting business development organizations and local chambers of
          commerce; 3) attending SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB
          procurement conferences and trade fairs; 4) requesting SOURCES from
          the Small Business Administrations (SBA) PRO-Net and SUB-Net Systems,
          (http://www.sba.gov/) and other SBA and Federal agency resources.
          Contractors may also conduct market surveys to identify new sources,
          to Include, accessing the NIH e-Portals in Commerce, (e-PIC),
          (http://epic.od.nih.gov/). The NIH e-Portals in Commerce is not a
          mandatory source and may be used at the offerer's discretion.

b. Internal efforts to guide and encourage purchasing personnel:

     1. Conducting workshops, seminars, and training programs;

     2.   Establishing, maintaining, and utilizing SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB,
          and SDVOSB source lists, guides, and other data for soliciting
          subcontractors; and

     3.   Monitoring activities to evaluate compliance with the subcontracting
          plan.

c.Additional efforts:

INDIVIDUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, TIED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL'S PERFORMANCE BONUS,
WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR EACH BUYER AND WILL BE MONITORED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
GOAL WILL BE TO INCREASE THE UTILIZATION OF ALL CLASSIFICATIONS OF SMALL
BUSINESSES.

WE WILL MOVE INFORMATION CONCERNING SUPPLIER SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORIES FROM THE
CURRENT STAND- ALONE DATABASE TO OUR ON-LINE MRP SYSTEM. THIS WIN MAKE THE
INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE BUYERS AT THE TIME REQUEST FOR QUOTES, ORDERS AND
CONTRACTS ARE OFFERED, MAXIMIZING THE VISIBILITY OF THIS INFORMATION. IN
ADDITION, WE WILL UPDATE THE INFORMATION AND ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO KEEP IT
CURRENT IT WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR THE AUTOMATION OF DATA COLLECTION, RESULTING IN
MORE ACCURATE REPORTS.

Small Business Subcontracting Plan                                        Page 4

<PAGE>

5. FLOW DOWN CLAUSE

The contractor agrees to include the provisions under FAR 52.219-8, "Utilization
of Small Business Concerns,' in all acquisitions exceeding the simplified
acquisition threshold that offers further subcontracting opportunities. All
subcontractors, except small business concerns, that receive subcontracts in
excess of $500,000 ($1,000,000 for construction) must adopt and comply with a
plan similar to the plan required by FAR 52.219-9, "Small Business
Subcontracting Plan." (Flow down is not applicable for commercial items/services
as described in 52.212-5(e) and 52.244-6(c).)

6. REPORTING AND COOPERATION

The contractor gives assurance of (1) cooperation in any studies or surveys that
may be required; (2) submission of periodic reports which show compliance with
the subcontracting plan; (3) submission of Standard Form (SF) 294,
"Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts," and attendant Optional Form
312, SDB Participation Report, if applicable, (required only for contracts
containing the clause 52.219-25) and SF 295, "Summary Subcontract Report," in
accordance with the instructions on the forms; and (4) ensuring that
subcontractors agree to submit Standard Forms 294 and 295.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REPORTING PERIOD        REPORT DUE     DUE DATE
---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>            <C>
OCT 1- MAR 31           SF 294         4/30
---------------------------------------------------------------
APR 1 - SEP 30          SF 294         10/30
---------------------------------------------------------------
OCT 1 - SEP 30          SF 295         10/30
---------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Completion     OF 312         30 days after completion
---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Special instructions for commercial plan: SF 295 Report is due on 10/30 each
year for the previous fiscal year ending 9/30.

a. Submit SF 294 to cognizant Awarding Contracting Officer.

b. Submit Optional Form 312, (OF-312), if applicable, to cognizant Awarding
Contracting Officer.

c. Submit SF 295 to cognizant Awarding Contracting Officer and to the:

          Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
          Department of Health and Human Services
          200 Independence Avenue, SW
          Humphrey H. Building, Room 517-D
          Washington, D.C. 20201

d. Submit Information" copy of the SF 295 and the SF 294 upon request to the SBA
Commercial Market Representative (CMR); visit the SBA at http://www.sba.gov/gc
and click on assistance directory to locate your nearest CMR.

7. RECORD KEEPING

In accordance with FAR 19.704(a)(11), the following is a recitation of the types
of records the contractor will maintain to demonstrate the procedures adopted to
comply with the requirements and goals In the subcontracting plan. These records
will include, but not be limited to, the following:

     a.   SB, SOB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB source lists, guides and
          other data identifying such vendors;

     b.   Organizations contacted in an attempt to locate SB, SDB, WOSB,
          HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB sources;

Small Business Subcontracting Plan                                        Page 5

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     c.   On a contract-by-contract basis, records on all subcontract
          solicitations over $100,000, which indicate for each solicitation (1)
          whether SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and/or SDVOSB concerns were
          solicited, if not, why not and the reasons solicited concerns did not
          receive subcontract awards.

     d.   Records to support other outreach efforts, e.g., contacts with
          minority and small business trade associations, attendance at small
          and minority business procurement conferences and trade fairs;

     e.   Records to support internal guidance and encouragement provided to
          buyers through (1) workshops, seminars, training programs, incentive
          awards; and (2) monitoring performance to evaluate compliance with the
          program and requirements; and

     f.   On a contract-by-contract basis, records to support subcontract award
          data including the name, address, and business type and size of each
          subcontractor. (This item is not required on a contract-by-contract
          basis for company or division-wide commercial plans.)

     g.   Other records to support your compliance with the subcontracting plan:
          (Please describe)

          IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORIES ON AN
          ON-LINE MRP SYSTEM WILL ALLOW FOR THE VISIBILITY OF THE
          CLASSIFICATIONS AT THE TIME A QUOTE, PURCHASE ORDER OR CONTRACT IS
          BEING PROCESSED BY THE BUYER. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR THE AUTOMATION OF
          DATA COLLECTION, RESULTING IN REPORTS THAT ARE MORE ACCURATE.

8. TIMELY PAYMENTS TO SUBCONTRACTORS

FAR 19.702 requires your company to establish and use procedures to ensure the
timely payment of amounts due pursuant to the terms of your subcontracts with
small business concerns, small disadvantaged small business concerns,
women-owned small business concerns, HUBZone small business concerns,
veteran-owned small business concerns, and service-disabled veteran-owned small
business concerns. Your company has established and uses such procedures: [X]
yes [ ] no

9.DESCRIPTION OF GOOD FAITH EFFORT

Maximum practicable utilization of small, small disadvantaged, women-owned,
HUBZone, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business
concerns as subcontractors in Government contracts is a matter of national
interest with both social and economic benefits. When a contractor fails to make
a good faith effort to comply with a subcontracting plan, these objectives are
not achieved, and 15 U.S.C. 637(d) (4) (F) directs that liquidated damages shall
be paid by the contractor. In order to demonstrate your compliance with a good
faith effort to achieve the small, small disadvantaged, womenowned, HUBZone,
veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business subcontracting
goals, outline the steps your company plans to take. These steps will be
negotiated with the contracting officer prior to approval of the plan.

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SIGNATURE PAGE

SIGNATURES REQUIRED:

This subcontracting plan was submitted by:

SIGNATURE: /s/ THOMAS W. LARKIN
           ----------------------------
TYPED NAME: THOMAS W. LARKIN

TITLE:      ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT

DATE:       10/9/03

This plan was reviewed by:

SIGNATURE: /s/ Lynda A. Bindseil
           ----------------------------
TYPED NAME: LYNDA A. BINDSEIL

TITLE:      Contracting Officer

DATE        10/22/03

This plan was reviewed by:

SIGNATURE: ____________________________

TYPED NAME: ___________________________

TITLE: Small Business Specialist

DATE: _________________________________

This plan was reviewed by:

SIGNATURE: ____________________________

TYPED NAME: ___________________________

TITLE: SBA Procurement Center Representative

DATE: _________________________________

And Is Accepted By:

SIGNATURE: ____________________________

TYPED NAME: ___________________________

TITLE: ________________________________

DATE: _________________________________

Small Business Subcontracting Plan                                        Page 7