NIH Brain Development Cohorts Biobank
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 National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has issued a Sources Sought Notice to identify Small Business organizations capable of maintaining the NIH Brain Development Cohorts (NBDC) Biobank. This biobank is a critical resource for processing, storing, analyzing, and distributing de-identified biological samples and data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study and HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. Capability statements are due by July 2, 2026.
Scope of Work
The selected vendor will manage a large-scale biobank, initially transferring over 550,000 samples and receiving approximately 170,000 new samples annually. Key responsibilities include:
- Sample and Data Management: Safely process, store, and track 500,000-700,000 biospecimens (e.g., blood, DNA, saliva) across various types and storage conditions. Provide collection kits to 48 research sites, maintain an auditable Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), ensure chain of custody, and resolve data discrepancies. Efficiently distribute biosamples to approved investigators.
- Technical & Informatics Requirements: Maintain and update databases linking phenotypic/genotypic information, manage and enhance the NBDC Biobank portal (front-end/back-end, Biospecimen Explorer, kit ordering, access program features), and ensure system compliance with FISMA-low and NIH security requirements. Develop and maintain APIs for secure data exchange.
- Laboratory Requirements: Demonstrate expertise in biobanking, LIMS, and database management. Provide scientific/technical evaluation for sample inquiries. Optionally, offer CLIA-certified laboratory capabilities (directly or via subcontracts) for metabolic, hematologic, genotyping, sequencing, and gene-expression analyses.
- Collaboration & Governance: Establish strong collaborative relationships with ABCD and HBCD Data Centers, co-sign the Specimen Transfer Agreement, and be eligible for a Certificate of Confidentiality.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (for market research and planning purposes only)
- Set-Aside: Small Business (seeking all types: 8(a), VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, WOSB)
- NAICS: 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology), Size Standard: 1,000 employees
- Response Due: July 2, 2026, 1:00 p.m. EST
- Published: June 18, 2026
Submission Requirements
Interested small businesses must submit capability statements demonstrating extensive experience in the technical areas listed. Submissions should include:
- Outline of previous similar projects and techniques.
- Names and professional qualifications of personnel with biomedical research experience.
- Description of available facilities and equipment.
- Company details: name, address, point of contact, SAM.gov UEI, phone/fax/email, NAICS Code(s), business size and status, and type(s) of business.
Additional Notes
This is not a Request for Proposals and does not commit the Government to a contract. Responses will not be compensated. The Government reserves the right to use submitted information for planning.