Contract Management Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Neuroscience Center, Suite 3287, 6001 Executive Blvd., MSC 9531, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9531

A -- BIOMATERIALS FOR THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM SOL RFP No. NIH-NINDS-00-06 DUE 050100 POC Contact Point, Desiree Wheeler, 301/496-1813, Contracting Officer, Kirkland Davis, 301-496-1813 The Repair and Plasticity Cluster of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, has a requirement for the research and development of a biocompatible matrix on the surface of implantable silicon microstructures that will improve the mechanical stability of the microelectrode-tissue interface and will provide a bridge between the microstructure and neurons, glia and related cells. Microelectrode arrays are being developed that are capable of stimulating or recording concurrently from many individual cells in the central nervous system. In acute settings stimulation or recordings can be routinely accomplished. Unfortunately, the techniques that are effective for acute recordings and stimulation do not generalize to the chronic recording environment. For dependable chronic recording or stimulation of specific cells, the interface between the microelectrode and target cells needs to be made more stable. This research effort will focus on achieving such stability through modification of the surface properties of microelectrode arrays. Personnel with expertise in materials science, neural prosthesis, biomaterials, neurobiology, extracellular matrix biology and biomechanics will be needed to perform this research. It is anticipated that one award may be made for a period of four years in September 2000. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP). THE SOLICITATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY ONLY. It will be made available at this website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/cmb) 15 or more calendar days after the publication date of this synopsis. OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUTINELY CHECKING THIS WEBSITE FOR ANY POSSIBLE SOLICITATION AMENDMENTS THAT MAY BE ISSUED. NO INDIVIDUAL NOTIFICATION OF ANY AMENDMENT WILL BE PROVIDED. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. Refer to numbered Note 26.**** Sincerely yours, Contracting Officer National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH Posted 02/24/00 (W-SN428223). (0055)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0002 20000228\A-0002.SOL)