SMART IRB Governance, Administration, and Operations Support (GAOS)
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 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Translational Sciences (NCATS) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought notice for SMART IRB Governance, Administration, and Operations Support (GAOS). The purpose is to identify qualified businesses capable of supporting and enhancing the SMART IRB program. Responses are due May 8, 2026.
Scope of Work
NCATS seeks a partner to facilitate user administration, process/workflow improvements, content development/moderation, requirements gathering, and dissemination for the SMART IRB portfolio. This involves supporting three key systems: the SMARTIRB.org website, the Joinder platform (for institutional agreement), and the Online Reliance System (ORS) (for documenting IRB reliance arrangements). The contractor will focus on making Joinder and ORS processes more user-friendly to increase SMART IRB framework utilization, collaborating with NCATS ITRB on IT-related aspects.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- NAICS Code: 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Size Standard: $19.5M)
- Anticipated Period of Performance: One base year with up to four 1-year option periods (total up to five years).
- Response Due: May 8, 2026, 8:00 AM (EST)
- Published: April 29, 2026
Capability Statement / Information Sought
Interested contractors should submit documentation addressing specific capabilities, including: direct experience with reliance agreements and regulations; specific knowledge of the SMART IRB reliance agreement; access to legal counsel for regulatory advice; established relationships with government agencies (VA, DOE, DOD, NIH) and the IRB community; processes for resolving single IRB challenges and gathering public comments; management processes for ORS and Joinder platform maintenance; a distributed/national presence of content experts; an evolving evaluation system; and an active harmonization steering committee. Submissions must also include Company Name, UEI, Physical Address, Point of Contact, business type, NAICS code, and size standard.
Eligibility & Set-Aside
Respondents must indicate their business size (e.g., small business, HUBZone, 8(a), veteran-owned, woman-owned) relative to the NAICS code. The government is currently assessing the possibility of a set-aside.
Additional Notes
This notice is for market research and information purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract. Responses will not be considered proposals or quotes, and the government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by respondents. Proprietary or confidential business data should not be submitted.