D--Scientific and Technical Support (STS)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS), has issued a Limited Sources Justification for Scientific and Technical Support (STS) services. This justification outlines a proposed logical follow-on award to Covalent Solutions, LLC to prevent a significant interruption in mission-critical services while a new competitive acquisition is underway.
Purpose & Scope
This justification supports the continued provision of scientific and technical support for the ODSS and ODSS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (ODSS/CAIO) mission. The services are crucial for catalyzing new capabilities in biomedical research and development (R&D) by providing trans-NIH leadership and coordination on NIH-wide data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) activities.
Key Contractor Responsibilities include:
- Maintaining compliance with the Antideficiency Act and executing complex NIH disbursement processes.
- Supporting mandated activities under Executive Orders 14212 and 14179, including management of the Generalist Repository Ecosystem Initiative (GREI) and administering NIH's AI Use Case Inventory.
- Providing landscape analysis, stakeholder mapping, and program development for open data initiatives.
- Serving as the dedicated point of contact for AI and data science training across NIH, managing the NIH Coursera Learning Program and Azure cloud infrastructure.
Justification for Limited Sources
The award is a logical follow-on to an existing NIH-awarded single-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) 75N98024A00074, originally competed via GSA MAS to Covalent Solutions, LLC. The justification cites FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) for economy and efficiency, as the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order. Covalent Solutions, LLC has been providing these services since February 14, 2024, and is considered uniquely qualified due to their successful history.
Contract Details & Timeline
- Type: Limited Sources Justification for a logical follow-on Task Order.
- Contractor: Covalent Solutions, LLC.
- Original BPA: Competed via GSA MAS, with Covalent's GSA Schedule rates previously determined fair and reasonable.
- Duration: This short-term Task Order will be utilized until support can be transitioned to a new competitive contract vehicle.
- Anticipated New Competitive Vehicle Award: No later than Quarter 2 of fiscal year 2027 (FY27).
- Published Date: February 25, 2026.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact Russell Pfeiffer at russell_pfeiffer@ibc.doi.gov or 703-464-3600.