NIH Scientific Initiatives Project Management Support Contract

Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition.  It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.  Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes.  No award will be made as a result of this notice.  The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.  This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background:  

NIH, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), conducts scientific investigation in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems, and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. As part of the mission, NIH directs research programs for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information in medicine and health and determining the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and cure of human diseases.

The following are goals of NIH:

1. Foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis to significantly advance the Nation's capacity to protect and improve health;
2. Develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and physical resources that will assure the Nation's capability to prevent disease;
3. Expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences to enhance the Nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and
4. Exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science. NIH’s organization currently consists of 27 Institutes and Centers (ICs) principally located in the Bethesda, Maryland area.

NIH is continuing to support priority scientific areas by managing ongoing research initiatives spanning various disciplines and NIH ICOs, as well as utilizing established cross-cutting, multidisciplinary tools and approaches on NIH-wide programs.

Purpose and Objectives:

NIH is pursuing high-level, experienced, and specialized scientific project management support. The Contractor shall provide expert-level research program management, project planning, and coordination services at the request of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The Contractor is expected to bring specialized scientific and technical expertise relevant to NIH’s mission areas, along with demonstrated experience supporting the full lifecycle of NIH funding activities, including navigating internal processes to efficiently move funding mechanisms forward.

The Contractor shall have proven experience working with NIH senior leadership and advising on complex, high-visibility initiatives. In addition, the Contractor must demonstrate familiarity with NIH programs and operations across multiple ICOs, with the ability to operate effectively in cross-IC environments. The Contractor is expected to provide cross-cutting strategic scientific support for programs that span mission areas, ensuring alignment, coordination, and integration across overlapping initiatives and stakeholders.

Project requirements:

List of Support the Contractor shall provide includes, but are not limited to:

1. Scientific and technical expertise, as specified in tasks orders;
2. NIH funding activity support;
3. Performance management and analytics and studies support;
4. Research project planning, development and evaluation;
5. Resource management and risk management support;
6. Scientific meeting planning services;
7. Tracking and monitoring support;
8. Coordination activities;
9. Attending relevant planning scientific meetings and teleconferences;
10. Preparing agendas, minutes, briefings, speeches, scientific research papers and memos, letters, manuals, job aids, or other documents;
11. Preparing and deploying dashboards and related tools;
12. GANTT chart management; and
13. Developing 508-compliant materials when necessary.

Anticipated period of performance:

The anticipated period of performance is July 27, 2026 – July 26, 2027 with the potential for two (2) options periods as follows:

Option Year 1: July 27, 2027 – July 26, 2028

Option Year 2: July 27, 2028 – July 26, 2029

Requested Response:

The intent of this sources sought notice is to define the procurement strategy (e.g. set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation that is intended to be posted soon. Interested contractors are requested to respond by (1) identifying how their proposed product meets or exceeds the project requirements listed above; and (2) providing product literature, white papers, or capability statements that demonstrate their bona fide ability to supply such an item within the time frame described above.  In  response ensure to address questions attached in Attachment 1.

In addition, please state your business size status and whether you are the manufacturer or authorized distributor of the item you propose.

Please note that NIH is particularly interested in small business sources. If you are a small business, please state the type of small business (small business; HUBZone; service-disabled, veteran-owned; 8(a); veteran-owned; woman-owned; or small disadvantaged businesses) and your size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc.), pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

The information submitted must be must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirements and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein.  A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer.  Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be submitted to Nicholas Niefeld, Contracting Officer, at e-mail address [email protected].

The response must be received on or before June 22, 2026 at 11:00am, Eastern Time.

Disclaimer and Important Notes:  This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published at SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Technical Questions

Attachment 2 - Statement of Work (SOW)