Screening of Investigational Therapeutics to Treat, Modify or Prevent Epilepsy for the NINDS Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP)
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 Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a Sources Sought notice for Research and Development (R&D) services to support its Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP). This market research aims to identify qualified sources capable of performing preclinical pharmacological evaluations of investigational therapeutics for epilepsy. Responses are due April 6, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will conduct preclinical pharmacological evaluations of potential therapeutic agents (small molecules, natural products, peptides, biologics, biomedical devices) for epilepsy treatment, modification, or prevention. Key performance areas include:
- Established Workflow for Drug Resistant Epilepsy: Implementing acute and chronic seizure assays.
- Models of Disease Prevention and Modification: Identifying compounds that prevent epilepsy development or are disease-modifying.
- Pharmacokinetic Studies: Determining plasma and brain levels of investigational compounds in rat and mouse models.
- Ancillary Studies: Potentially including models for epilepsy co-morbidities and ADME studies.
- New Testing Approaches: Adapting, developing, validating, and implementing human-based research approaches (e.g., organoids, iPSCs, human brain slices) as needed.
The preponderance of work is expected to be performed by the prime contractor, with limited domestic subcontracting. Animal facilities must be AAALAC International accredited and comply with OLAW/PHS policies.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research (R&D)
- Anticipated Period of Performance: One 12-month base period (Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027) with up to nine 12-month option periods.
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: April 6, 2026, 9:00 A.M. EST
- Published: March 23, 2026
- Place of Performance: Bethesda, MD (and contractor facilities)
Capability Statement Requirements
Interested small businesses must submit documentation addressing each project requirement, including:
- Total number of employees and professional qualifications.
- Any relevant GSA Schedule or GWAC contracts.
- Company Name, UEI, Physical Address, and Point of Contact.
- Business type, applicable NAICS code (AN12), and size standards.
- Responses are limited to ten (10) pages (excluding cover, executive summary, references).
- Submissions must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format, 11-12 point font, 1-inch margins, single/double spacing.
Submission Details
Responses must be submitted electronically via email to Rieka Plugge (rieka.plugge@nih.gov). This is for information purposes only and does not guarantee a solicitation or contract award.