Health Science Futures (HSF) Mission Office Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO)
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 Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) for its Health Science Futures (HSF) Mission Office. This ISO seeks solution summaries and proposals for cutting-edge, disease-agnostic research projects aimed at expanding technical possibilities and removing limitations in future healthcare. Amendment 3 introduces significant updates to submission requirements. Responses are due March 6, 2029.
Scope of Work
The HSF Mission Office supports research programs with potential for translational real-world change. This ISO focuses on developing approaches that overcome scientific and technological barriers to advance healthcare. Projects should align with the general scope of the HSF mission.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Innovative Solutions Opening (Solicitation)
- Set-Aside: None
- Product/Service Code: AN13 - Health R&D Services; Health Care Services; Experimental Development
- Response Due: March 6, 2029
- Published (Latest Amendment): January 8, 2026
Key Amendment 3 Updates
Amendment 3, effective immediately, modifies several proposal documents. If a solution summary was previously submitted, but a proposal has not yet been submitted, the proposal will be evaluated under this amendment. Key changes include:
- Administrative & National Policy Requirements: Updates to Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI), Research Security, and Intellectual Property (IP) sections. IP updates include definitions of rights categories and a consolidated "Background IP and Data Assertions" table. The "Software Component Standards" section was eliminated. Human Subjects Research (HSR), Animal Subjects Research (ASR), and Biosecurity sections were also updated.
- Cost Proposal Document: Instructions for "Level of Effort and Labor Costs" were updated, defining "burdened labor rate" and "fully burdened labor rate." The threshold for supporting documentation for planned materials and equipment purchases increased from $5,000 to $10,000 per unit cost.
- Cost Proposal Workbooks: Instructions clarified that ARPA-H assumes no profit/fee if not included. The material/equipment threshold update was also reflected.
Submission Requirements
Proposers must submit solution summaries and proposals via the ARPA-H solutions portal at https://solutions.arpa-h.gov. Questions should be directed to https://solutions.arpa-h.gov/Ask-A-Question/.
Appendix A - Solutions Summary Template is critical for bidders, outlining the required content, structure, and formatting for submissions. This includes a six-page limit (excluding citations) and specific guidelines for sections such as:
- Concept Summary: Description of solution, innovation, and impact.
- Proposed Work: Deliverables, milestones, technical approach, risks.
- Team Organization and Capabilities.
- Basis of Estimate (BOE): Detailed breakdown of all project costs (labor, materials, travel, profit/fee, resource sharing).