National Children's Study Prepares for Addition of 2008 Study Centers

January 10, 2008

The National Children's Study is announcing today that it will move forward with plans to fund 10-15 additional Study Centers to manage Study operations in communities across the country. This increased pace of Study activity is possible because of the Congressional appropriation of funds for fiscal year 2008.

With this funding, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (the Study's home institute at NIH) is planning to award contracts to expand the active locations (counties) in the Study and for more organizations having the ability to serve as Study Centers. Study Centers will manage Study operations at one or more previously designated Study locations. Visit this website for a map and list of the Study's locations. Organizations currently serving as Vanguard Centers or Study Centers are eligible to compete for additional Study locations.

The Institute has posted an announcement to inform interested organizations of an anticipated Request for Proposals (RFP), of important background information, and of some requirements essential for responding to the RFP. The RFP release is expected in 2-4 weeks. The due date for proposals in response to this solicitation is anticipated to be on or about April 1, 2008.

The link for the National Children's Study Pre-Solicitation Notice can be found on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site at Federal Business Opportunities website.

In addition to funding new locations and centers, Congress's appropriated fiscal year 2008 funds will support activities required to prepare for recruitment in current Study Centers. With these funds, the seven Vanguard Centers will begin recruitment of families into the Study and newly awarded 2007 Study Centers will continue preparations for recruitment.

For more information on the Study, please visit www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov. Any questions concerning this pre-solicitation announcement must be submitted in writing to: Mr. Fred Ettehadieh, Contracting Officer, or addressed to Office of Acquisitions, NIDDK, NICHD Branch, Executive Building, Suite 7A-07, 6100 Executive Boulevard, MSC 7510, Bethesda, MD, 20892-7510.