National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, ESS, Executive Plaza South, Rm. 620, 6120 Executive Blvd., MSC 7224, Bethesda, MD 20892-7224

A -- RECORD LINKAGE STUDIES UTILIZING RESOURCES IN POPULATION-BASED TUMOR REGISTRIES SOL NO1-CP-01003-13 POC Sharon A. Miller, Contracting Officer, NCI 301/435-3783 WEB: Research Contracts & Acquisition Branch, http://amb.nci.nih.gov/ncics/rfps_published.asp. E-MAIL: Sharon A. Miller, sm103r@nih.gov. The Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, National Cancer Institute (NCI) is recompeting to replace their existing pool of Master Agreement holders for "Record Linkage Studies Utilizing Resources in Population-Based Tumor Registries." Current Master Agreement holders must submit proposals to be considered for the new Master Agreement pool of qualified firms. Master Agreements will be awarded to all offerors whose technical proposal is considered acceptable. The initial Master Agreement award is non-monetary, and is exclusively for the purpose of establishing a pool of contractors who are qualified to perform services for epidemiologic studies of cancer using the resources of population-based tumor registries. Each Master Agreement holder will be eligible to compete for future contract awards for record-linkage studies. Each Master Agreement holder who is also determined to be qualified to provide the optional biospecimen component and/or the ability to link other population-based registries to their cancer registry will be eligible to compete for those types of orders as well. Master Agreement holders who choose to compete for future Master Agreement Orders will be selected based on technical merit and budgetary considerations. Master Agreements will be awarded for a five-year period. The NCI desires to contract with population-based tumor registries in order to collaborate in the conduct of record-linkage and subsequent analytical investigations. The main tasks in support of the record-linkage studies include: developing a study plan; developing or applying appropriate record-linkage procedures to link a population file with the cancer registry files; evaluating results from the record-linkage study; providing results of the record-linkage study to the NCI in the form of a computer file with appropriate documentation of record format and variables used; developing record-keeping procedures to maintain filing systems of all relevant material; and monitoring performance and providing written technical and financial reports as required under a subsequent Master Agreement Order. Optional capabilities include providing biologic specimens, and providing access to other existing computerized registries that have been or could be linked to the cancer registry. Offerors will be evaluated on their qualification as a population-based cancer registry including their knowledge of the population at risk; ability to provide completeness of ascertainment of incident cancer cases in the population; validity of classification and coding of all cancer cases; procedures used for case followup; ability to provide five-year cancer incidence data; ability to maintain data in a secure environment; and qualifications and experience of the registry and personnel. In addition, offerors will be evaluated on their technical response to a sample master agreement order on a hypothetical record-linkage study. It is anticipated that the solicitation package will be available electronically on or about January 10, 2000 via the Research Contracts Acquisition Branch website: http://amb.nci.nih.gov/ncics/rfps_published.asp. Proposals will be due 45 days after release of the solicitation package. All responsible sources meeting these criteria are encouraged to submit a proposal and will be considered. Awards are anticipated approximately May 30, 2000. No collect calls will be accepted. Posted 11/23/99 (W-SN402998). (0327)

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