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), is conducting a Small Business Sources Sought to identify capable organizations for maintaining the NIH Brain Development Cohorts (NBDC) Biobank. This biobank processes, stores, analyzes, and distributes de-identified biological samples and data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM (ABCD) Study and HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study. Capability statements are due by July 2, 2026.
Scope of Work
This opportunity requires managing a large biobank, including:
- Sample and Data Management: Safely process, store, and track 500,000-700,000 biospecimen samples (e.g., blood, saliva, DNA, urine) under various conditions, with expert quality control. Provide collection kits to 48 research sites, manage tracking via a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), maintain chain of custody, and resolve discrepancies. Centrally manage and 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 and back-end), support Biospecimen Access Program features, and ensure FISMA-low compliance. Maintain and develop APIs and cyberinfrastructure for secure data exchange.
- Laboratory Requirements: Demonstrate experience in biobanking, LIMS, and database management. Provide scientific and technical expertise for evaluating researcher inquiries. If requested, provide 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, be a co-signatory of the Specimen Transfer Agreement, and be eligible to receive a Certificate of Confidentiality.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- NAICS Code: 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology, 1,000 employee size standard)
- Response Due: July 2, 2026, 1:00 p.m. EST
- Published: June 18, 2026
- Agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Evaluation
Interested small businesses must demonstrate extensive experience in the technical areas listed, including previous similar projects, professional qualifications of personnel, and availability of facilities and equipment. The Government will assess the appropriateness of professional and technical personnel classifications and other relevant information.
Additional Notes
This is a Sources Sought Notice for information and planning purposes only and is not a request for proposals. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses. Proprietary information should be marked. Responses will be used to determine the availability of small businesses. Capability statements must be submitted electronically to Shaun Rostad at shaun.rostad@nih.gov.