This is a notice of intent, not a request for a proposal. A solicitation document will not be issued and proposals will not be requested. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Station Support/Simplified Acquisition (SS/SA) Branch, on behalf of the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) intends to negotiate and award a sole source purchase order to Dr. Li-Kai Tsai to perform transplantation of preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells into affected brain areas of animals modes of neuropsychiatric and neurodenerative disorders such as cerebral ischemia and Huntington’s disease. Dr. Li-Kai Tsai research involves examining the effects of mood stabilizing drugs, notably lithium and valproic acid (VPA), on the proliferation, migration, differentiation and cell-fate of mesenchymal stem cells. The beneficial effects on these animals’ disease models will then be assessed at the level of behavior and brain anatomy. Dr. Li-Kai Tsai is a trained neurologist and geneticist. His extensive research to understand the relationship between spinal muscular atrophy, cerebrovascular diseases and the effects on mood interface precisely with the research in progress at the National Institute of Mental Health’s Section on Molecular Neurobiology (SMA) laboratory lead by Dr. De-Maw Chuang. The period of performance is January 25, 2010-June 22, 2010. The acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition using FAR 13 procedures and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Comments to this announcement, referencing synopsis number 1409861 may be submitted to the NIDA, Station Support/Simplified Acquisition Branch, 31 Center Drive, Bldg. 31, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2080 and Attention: Jasmine Snoddy, Contract Specialist.

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