A--Complement Factor H Haplotypes

NOTICE OF INTENT The Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 7, intends to award a sole-source contract to the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC, to provide 2 research associates to perform Complement Factor H Halotypes activation studies and Age-related Macular Degeneration. The studies are intended to impact the treatment and management of diseases that afflict both veterans and non-veterans. Specifically, the highly specialized research associates will focus on complement activation procedures via a wide variety of biochemical techniques including smoke exposure, generation of a transgenic mouse that overexpresses CR2-fH to inhibit complement activation long-term in the animal model that is being used in the VA MERIT entitled "Complement Factor H Haplotypes and Smoking in Age-related Macular Degeneration" and elucidation of the final pathway of complement activation, using specific inhibitors and knockout mice. The researcher will perform the following: " Highly specialized generation of transgenic construct, positive ES cells and transgenic mice " Highly specialized generation of smoke-induced pathology " Highly specialized induction of CNV in mice " Administration of anesthesia and performing euthanasia " Monitoring and evaluating the animal for induction of CNV " Tissue collection and biochemical assays and immunohistochemistry " Biochemical assays " Maintenance of record/data books Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or a solicitation for offers. However, parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same product to Iridious T. Ruise, Contracting Officer, at [email protected] or FAX: (478) 274-5643 by September 12, 2011 no later than 2:00 PM EDT. All capability statements received by closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures. There are no set-aside restrictions for this requirement. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 541720 with a Small Business Size Standard of $7 million. This is for informational purposes only and not to be construed as a commitment by the government. Any information submitted to this notice of intent is voluntary.