A -- COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND TRAINING PERTAINING TO NIMH'S MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS PROGRAM (NIMH:MADP)

Notice Date

March 2, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Mental Health, Contracts Management Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd, Rm 6107, MSC 9603, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9603

ZIP Code

20892-9603

Solicitation Number

NIMH-01-DI-0016

Response Due

May 3, 2001

Point of Contact

Alex Navas, Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 443-2696, Fax (301) 443-0501, Email anavas@mail.nih.gov

E-Mail Address

Alex Navas (anavas@mail.nih.gov)

Description

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) proposes to issue solicitation No. NIMH-01-DI-0016 and intends to make a sole source award to conduct Collaborative Research and Training Pertaining to NIMH's Mood and Anxiety Disorder Program (NIMH:MADP). The NIMH plans to award a 5 year cost-reimbursement contract with a five year option to the Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM), Department of Psychiatry in Washington, D.C. Obtaining cultural diversity in research subject populations and in research training is a congressional mandate. "The Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000" (Public Law 106-525) dictates that "There is a national need for minority scientists in the fields of biomedical, clinical, behavioral and health services research. Ninety percent of minority physicians educated at Historically Black Medical Colleges live and serve in minority communities". This Act also states "In order to effectively promote diverse and strong 21st century scientific, technological and engineering workforces, Federal agencies should expand or add programs that effectively overcome barriers such as educational transition from one level to the next and student requirements for financial resources". Minority inclusion in Federally funded research is specifically prescribed in "The NIH Revitalilization Act of 1993" (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43). The NIMH seeks to expand its minority research and training portfolio by supporting and promoting the training of African American mental health researchers and by augmenting the ability of African Americans with serious mental illnesses to participate in federally funded NIMH Intramural research projects. A first step in expeditiously achieving these goals is to develop a joint research program with the HUCM. A collaborative pilot program with HUCM will enable NIMH mental health investigators to overcome some of the obstacles that hinder African American research participation in both the patient and the investigator arenas. These difficulties include inequity in access to training, information about, and access to, ongoing mental health research protocols. To overcome these obstacles the Contractor needs to be within close proximity to the NIMH, Bethesda, MD. In addition, there is a shortage of opportunities for African American mental health researchers to master the art of writing competitive funding proposals. In accordance with the precepts of the newly established "National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities", the resulting contract will provide an important initiative toward promoting, assisting, and supporting research activities in the minority community. The applicable statutory authority authorizing sole source procurement is 41U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1. Inherent duplication of cost to the Government and unacceptable delays in completing the study make competition unfeasible. Request for Proposal (RFP) No. NIMH-01-DI-0016 will be available on or about March, 19, 2001, and receipt of proposals will be due on or about May 3, 2001. The RFP may only be accessed electronically through the NIMH Homepage at http://www.nimh.nih.gov. First click on Funding Opportunities, then click on Contracts and scroll down to the RFP Number. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract. See Number Note 22. For questions or further information contact: Robert D. Barnie, Contracting Officer, Contracts Management Branch, NIMH, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6107, MSC 9603, Bethesda, MD 20892-9603, Telephone: 301-443-2696, FAX: 301-443-0501 or Email: rb245s@nih.gov.

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010306/ASOL004.HTM (D-061 SN50F0Z6)