NIH Professional, Scientific and Technical Support Services
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) is soliciting proposals for Professional, Scientific and Technical Support Services (PSTSS) under a Multiple Award Indefinite Quantity (MA IDIQ) contract. This opportunity seeks to provide specialized scientific and professional expertise to support NIH's current and emerging research priorities. Proposals are due by May 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
Scope of Work
This contract will provide a broad range of scientific and professional expertise, including:
- Specialized scientific support for basic, translational, and clinical research.
- Vaccine research and development.
- General laboratory research at Biosafety Levels 2, 3, and 4 (BSL-2, -3, -4).
- Veterinary and scientific research in Animal Biosafety Levels 2, 3, and 4 (ABSL-2, -3, -4) environments.
- Bioinformatics and computational biology services, including high-throughput genomic sequencing, proteomics, image analysis, computational and systems biology, and data analysis.
- Support for new and in-progress research projects, program deployment, implementation, international research efforts, and responses to worldwide crises and outbreaks.
- Assistance in clinical trials, biomedical knowledge expansion, and the development/implementation of domestic and international clinical trials. Services will be furnished via individual task orders issued throughout the contract period.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Multiple Award Indefinite Quantity (MA IDIQ) contract.
- Minimum Guarantee: $2,000 per IDIQ contract.
- Maximum Total Portfolio Ceiling: $3,000,000,000 (across all awarded contracts).
- Period of Performance (Base): September 15, 2026, through September 14, 2031.
- Option to Extend Services: May extend the contract period to March 14, 2032.
- Set-Aside: This opportunity is not set-aside for small business, but includes a Small Business Subcontracting Goal of 33.25%.
- NAICS Code: 541990 (Small Business Size Standard: $19,500,000.00).
- Proposal Due Date: Monday, May 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
- Published Date: April 22, 2026.
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the eCPS website and will remain valid for 120 days. Evaluation will prioritize technical factors, including experience and past performance, which are of paramount consideration. Cost/price factors are also important. Offerors must adhere to specific instructions regarding labor categories (all from Attachment 3 must be included), page limits (resumes and key personnel letters of commitment do not count towards the 50-page technical proposal limit), and margin requirements (no less than 1/2 inch). Past performance and financial capacity documentation should be provided in the Business Proposal.
Additional Notes
Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award. Key Personnel requirements include a mandatory Project Director at the IDIQ level, with other key personnel at the offeror's discretion. Security requirements involve background investigations for personnel, with Tier 2S (Moderate Risk Public Trust) being applicable. Contractors are responsible for establishing a Medical Surveillance Program. The solicitation is for NIH-wide services.