Support for Development, Maintenance and Distribution of Identifiers for Research Resources to Serve Replicable, Reproducible and Generalizable Biomedical Research

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the technical evaluation factors for a solicitation related to "Support for Development, Maintenance and Distribution of Identifiers for Research Resources to Serve Replicable, Reproducible and Generalizable Biomedical Research." The government will award a contract based on best value, with technical factors being more important than price, though price will differentiate proposals with similar technical scores.

The technical proposal will be evaluated based on the following factors:

• Factor 1: Technical Approach (Volume I)

  • Addresses existing problems with unique identification of DCM's research resources.
  • Demonstrates ability of proposed technology platforms to integrate and achieve SOW objectives.
  • Proposes changes to drive scientific reporting and authentication of biomedical research.
  • Demonstrates ability to promote 'FAIR' principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
  • Highlights advantages in performance and ability to produce data at scale.
  • Demonstrates effectiveness in refinement, improvement, or new applications.
  • Identifies how Offeror would capitalize on existing public/private resources and organizational partners.
  • Demonstrates scalability of proposed approach.

• Factor 2: Personnel Qualifications and Staffing

  • Evaluates the offeror's ability to perform the contract successfully based on proposed personnel's experience, skills, and qualifications.
  • Resumes for key personnel are required (max 2 pages each), detailing relevant experience, education, and certifications.
  • Subfactors include demonstrating qualifications for roles, experience with proposed technology platforms, experience with electronic systems for authentication of biological reagents, experience communicating with resources and managing data, and a track record of disseminating tools and working with scientific literature.

• Factor 3: Organizational Capacity

  • Evaluates the offeror's facilities, research environment, management structure, teaming relationships, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Assesses proposed organizational support, equipment, and physical resources.
  • Examines benefits of proposed organizational features and the availability of resources for electronic information handling.

• Factor 4: Past Performance (Volume II)

  • Assesses the offeror's ability to staff and manage similar activities and indicates the likelihood of success.
  • Evaluated based on relevance of past performance, working experience, customer satisfaction, timeliness, quality of service, professionalism, and achievement of project goals.

• Proposals will be evaluated using adjectival ratings (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor) for Factors 1, 2, and 3, and relevancy/confidence ratings for Factor 4.

• Proposal risk will also be assessed (High, Medium, Low).

• Past performance will be rated as Very Relevant, Relevant, Somewhat Relevant, or Not Relevant.

• Government confidence in the offeror's ability to perform will be rated using confidence ratings (Substantial, Satisfactory, Limited, No Confidence, Unknown Confidence).

• This document focuses solely on the technical evaluation factors and does not detail specific submission instructions or deadlines, which are likely found in other parts of the solicitation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items to procure "Support for Development, Maintenance and Distribution of Identifiers for Research Resources to Serve Replicable, Reproducible and Generalizable Biomedical Research." This announcement serves as the sole solicitation; proposals are requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

The Statement of Work (SOW) and relevant terms and conditions are included as attachments. Specific details regarding the work are to be found within these attached documents.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: TBD

• Estimated Value: TBD

• Proposals are due by June 01, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

• Questions are due by May 21, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

• Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with FAR Clause 52.212-2.

• Evaluation factors include: Technical Approach, Personnel Qualifications and Staffing, and Organizational Capacity.

• The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous, considering price and other factors. Best value will be determined, with the possibility of selecting a higher-priced quote if it offers superior technical merit or lower performance risk.

• Options will be evaluated by adding their total price to the basic requirement's price.

• Offerors must include a completed copy of FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items. If annual representations have been completed electronically via SAM.gov, only paragraph (b) of this provision needs to be completed.

• This solicitation is being released unrestricted.

• NAICS Code: 541690

• Small Business Size Standard: 19.0M

• Set-aside Status: Women-Owned Small Business Set-Aside

• The solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses effective through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-07.

• FAR Clause 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors) has an addendum.

• FAR Clause 52.212-4 (Contract Terms and Conditions) applies, with an addendum.

• FAR Clause 52.212-5 (Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders) applies, with specific clauses indicated in Attachment 5.

• The Government may exercise an option to extend performance for up to six months under FAR 52.217-8.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To support the development, maintenance, and distribution of identifiers for research resources, aiming to promote replicable, reproducible, and generalizable biomedical research.

• Maintain and develop research resource identifiers (RRIDs) to promote identification, discovery, and reuse.

• Improve search capabilities based on ontological models for genotypes and phenotypes.

• Conduct analyses of gaps in model resources (models, cells, tissues, human NAMs) and knowledge.

• Develop methods to assess the value and impact of ORIP-supported model resources and related biomaterials.

• Collaborate with federal staff, third-party personnel, and stakeholders.

• Maintain an integrated index of various databases.

• Curate new resources (model resource centers and NAMs).

• Disseminate information about the unique identification system.

• Onboard NAMs identification system, focusing on human-derived cells for organoids and tissue models.

• Analyze publications and patents related to ORIP-supported research models.

• Develop approaches to analyze the impact of research models.

• Develop a rigor and transparency index quality metric for assessing research models.

• Monthly verification of links and outreach to sources.

• Weekly verification of data integrity in the index.

• Annual reports on summary statistics and raw data.

• Monthly updates to dashboard features.

• Deliverables must meet SOW requirements and COR guidance.

• Anticipated period of performance: one 11-month base period with four 12-month options.

• Base Year: August 29, 2026 - August 28, 2027

• Option Years: August 29, 2027 - August 28, 2031

• Place of Performance: Contractor's place of operation.

• Demonstrated experience with ORIP and NIH-supported resources.

• Proven ability in designing and maintaining web-based platforms for scientific data access.

• Expertise in data analysis, evaluation, and statistical methods.

• Advanced knowledge of quantitative and qualitative statistical principles.

• Experience with ontologies and common data elements.

• Specialized experience in informatics for genotype and phenotype data.

• Proven track record in developing and maintaining identifiers.

• Established relationships with model resource centers.

• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports.

• Capacity to deliver integrated tools for data validation.

• Experience with ontology-informed operational management.

• Experience in community engagement and training.

• Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for electronic and information technology.

• Adherence to organizational conflict of interest regulations.

• Contractor must not perform inherently governmental functions.