The NHLBI is seeking a small business with the ability to serve as a Genomics and Informatics Center (GIC) for a new six-yearseven-year, multi-center clinical research study entitled ?SubPopulationsentitled, SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures Inin COPD Study (SPIROMICS)?. This(SPIROMICS). SPIROMICS contractors will design and conduct an observational study will collectwith extensive subject phenotyping and analyze phenotypic, biomarker, genetic, genomic, and clinical data from several thousand research subjects with COPD. Baseline data will be analyzed in a cross-sectional mannermolecular fingerprinting to identify subpopulations of patients with similar molecular abnormalities. Longitudinal data will be usedchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to identify and validate surrogate markers of disease severity which will be useful as intermediate outcome measures, such as x-ray computed tomographic (CT) image, biomarker, and genomic measures whose spontaneous changes overfor clinical trials. A Genomics and Informatics Center (RFP-NHLBI-HR-08-06) will have primary responsibility for developing a periodscientific plan for achieving study aims; analyzing phenotypic and high-throughput molecular data; operating a repository of 9-12 months correlate with long-term (3 year) outcomesbiospecimens; developing bioinformatic resources; data management; providing overall management and oversight of mortality, frequencythe study; and disseminating study results. The Radiology Center (RFP-NHLBI-HR-08-07) will have primary responsibility for standardizing imaging methods at the Clinical Centers; establishing a repository of hospitalizations, change in spirometry,CT image data; assessing and change inassuring quality of life. Secondary aims areCT images; and analyzing CT images to develop a bioinformatic infrastructureobtain quantitative measures that will enablemay indicate the utilization and sharingpresence and/or severity of pulmonary research dataCOPD or other lung diseases. Research subjects will be enrolled, phenotyped, and to create a collection of clinical, biomarker, radiographic, and genetic data that can be used by external investigators for other studies of COPD.followed at approximately six Clinical Centers (RFP-NHLBI-HR-08-08). Research subjects will be enrolled, phenotyped, and followed at approximately five Clinical Centers (CCs) solicited under a separate request for proposals. TheThe GIC will have primary responsibility for establishingoperating a repository of biospecimens; developing bioinformatic resources; performing high throughput genetic, genomic, and proteomic analyses of biospecimens; designing and implementing a strategy for data collection and analysis that willto identify subpopulations and intermediate outcome measures; training CC staff; managing study data; providing overall management and oversight of the study; and disseminating study results. Specifically, the GIC will: 1) provide expertise in genetic, genomic, and proteomic assays and analyses; 2) provide expertise in bioinformatics, including development of controlled vocabularies and metadata elements; 3) provide biostatistical support for study design and protocol development, including sample size calculations or simulations; 4) analyze the study data; 5) provide administrative support and oversight for the study as a whole; 5)6) process and store biospecimens collected at the CCs; 6) perform genetic, genomic, and proteomic analyses of biospecimens; 7) coordinate, plan, make arrangements for, and participate in meetings of the study committees and boards; 8) develop and maintain a web sites for study investigators; 8)9) establish and maintain a computer system and software needed for the storage and analysis of study data; 9)10) prepare and distribute periodic technical and statistical reports of study activities and progress; and 10)11) coordinate and track the reporting of adverse events. GIC staff must possess strong scientific qualifications related to bioinformatics, biostatistics, genetics, genomics, and proteomics. The GIC must have pulmonary medical expertise,expertise; experience in the supervision of complex multi-centercomplex, multi center clinical studies,studies; and experience in the statistical analysis of high volume genetic, genomic, proteomic, and phenotypic data. Small business concerns that believe they possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this study should submit documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement submitted should include: 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of scientist, and technical personnel, 3)This is not a description of generalrequest for proposals (RFP) and specific facilities and equipment available, including computer equipment and software, and 4) an outline of previous research projects in which the small business organization and the proposed personnel have participated and any other information relevant to this program. The capabilities statement mustGovernment is not exceed 10 single sided or 5 double sided pages in length. Interested small business organizations are requiredcommitted to identify their size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in response to this RFI. However, responses to this RFI that indicate that the information therein is propriety will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Responses should be emailed to Ms. Joanne Deshler at deshlerj@nhlbi.nih.gov. Responses shall be submitted in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and received by 3p.m. eastern standard time on May 21, 2007. Capability statements must include the name and telephone numbers ofaward a point of contact having authority and knowledgecontract pursuant to discuss responses with Government representatives. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. Responses received after the due date may not be reviewed. Thisannouncement. This is not a request for proposals (RFP) and the Government is not committed to award a contract pursuant to this announcement. If this programIt is approved for implementation and it is determined to be a small business set aside, then a competitiveanticipated that the RFP will be set aside for small business concerns and will be available in FedBizOpps.on FedBizOpps on or about October 20, 2007. This advertisement does not commit the Government to award a contract.