The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) intends to procure lab and testing services in reference to kidney biopsy processing and microscopy on a limited source basis from the University of Minnesota. These biopsies are necessary to examine the level of tissue injury according to treatment assignment. Specimen examination is required under both light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, plus detailed morphometric measurements from the images. This procurement will require the following: 1) Light Microscopy: Cut and stain an adequate number of semi-thin (0.5-1.0 micron) sections to provide the light microscopic images described below and the electron microscopic images described in #2. Imaging: 40X: 2 randomly chosen fields/section (on at least 6 sections) for determination of fractional interstitial area; 5X: photomontage of each thick section in its entirety to provide images (profiles) of 15-20 glomeruli per patient for determination of glomerular area. 2) Transmission electron microscopy: From 0.5-1 micron sections stained with toluidine blue, randomly choose 3 glomeruli that are intact, not distorted and not globally sclerotic. Choose among the center-most glomeruli, or the ones least affected by mechanical artifact. Trim the block for transmission electron microscopy, cut (gold to silver, 60-90 nm) and stain (lead citrate, uranyl acetate) ultra-thin sections to be imaged as the following: Digital Imaging: 3000X: photomontage of 3 complete glomerular profiles (25-30 fields/glomerulus). 12000X: 20 systematically uniformly sampled images of the glomerular capillary wall per glomerulus (total of 60 images) e.g. every 7th frame from top-to-bottom, left-to-right (moving one frame further, if the 7th frame doesnt contain capillary wall). The University of Minnesota possesses the unique expertise and experience to complete this work. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements it may submit a statement of capabilities. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing, and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow a determination of the partys ability to meet all of the foregoing requirements. The determination to compete or not compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. It is anticipated that Request for Quotation (RFQ) NIHLM2009018 will be available fifteen days (15) after the publication of this synopsis. Receipt of quotations will be due five (5) days after release of the RFQ. Requests for copies of the RFQ must be in writing to the NIDDK Acquisitions Branch, National Library of Medicine, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Room 770B, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817, Attention: Lisa Josephowitz, [email protected]. FAX quotations must contain offerors names, address, telephone and fax number. FAX quotations will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative. FAX NUMBER 301-480-7443.PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive an award, the contractor must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (http://www.ccr.gov).

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