Announcements
Request for Information; Centralized Database for Animal Model Development
Synopsis:
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking the development and population of a searchable shared central database to house data associated with animal model development and evaluation of medical countermeasures in animals, in support of the Transformational Medical Technologies Initiative (TMTI) program. The TMTI mission is to protect the Warfighter from potent known, naturally emerging and genetically engineered threats by providing a capability that includes rapid response and the development and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensure of medical countermeasures. High priority organisms include hemorrhagic fever viruses and intracellular bacteria on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Category A and B high priority pathogen list.
Information Sought:
TMTI and other government agencies are investing significantly in the development of countermeasures against biothreat agents, and the development of animal models to support FDA licensure of these countermeasures under the Animal Rule. However, a centralized database to house data associated with all stages of animal model development and evaluation of medical countermeasures in animals is not currently available as a community resource, which may result in duplication and contradiction of investment.
This RFI seeks the development and population of a searchable shared central database open to government, industry, and academia. The database should facilitate comparison of results between different experiments and laboratories, standardization of procedures and techniques, and meta-analysis of the data to serve as a reference point for evaluating novel pathogens and medical countermeasures. Responses should consider an approach to foster comprehensive data population, ease of use and input and extraction of data, security issues associated with access to the database, and contractual and legal issues associated with intellectual property, maintenance and ownership of the database. Responses should communicate and offer knowledge of both database development and parameters associated with animal models.
Posted Oct 12, 2009