The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, on behalf of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to extend and expand the scope of their current contract for an additional five years. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation was originally awarded a contract for a five and one half year period in September 1995 for a project entitled "Lupus Multiplex Registry and Repository." In April 2001, a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) approved the extension and expansion of the Registry and Repository for another five and one-half years (April 1, 2001 through September 29, 2006). The purpose of the contract was to establish a registry and repository to characterize multiplex lupus pedigrees in order to accelerate progress in establishing and identifying the genes and gene products. The contractor has successfully established a registry of lupus pedigrees, operated a repository of sera, cells and DNA, and conducted the genotyping of the pedigrees enrolled. The purpose of this extension is to enlarge the available collections of multiplex pedigrees, with emphasis on African American, Native American, and Hispanic families. In performing this expanded work scope, the Contractor will continue collecting pedigrees multiplex for systemic lupus erythematosus at a pace to equal or exceed 150 per year, of which at least 40% will be non-European American and nuclear family members. The Contractor will continue to 1) genotype these pedigrees, 2) store DNA, clinical information, lupus serology, plasma, and serum sufficient to support the work of approved and potential users, 3) evaluate applications from potential users, and 4) distribute these materials to approved users. A substantial portion (>24%) of these pedigrees will be African American. Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) as set forth in FAR 6.302 1, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is the only source capable of performing this requirement due to their prerequisite knowledge and experience because of their preliminary and current work. Due to the inherent duplication of cost and unacceptable delays in performance, a noncompetitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements, as described above. A determination not to compete the proposed work based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. This notice of intent is not an announcement of the availability of a Request for Proposals (RFP), nor is a RFP available. See Numbered Note 22.

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