Clinical Research Support and Collaboration for NHGRI Protocols
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF.NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OLAO · Response deadline: Fri, 13 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health, is seeking clinical research support and collaboration services for NHGRI protocols. This work falls under NAICS 541690, "Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services." The broad category covers specialized scientific consulting that supports research operations rather than laboratory bench science itself.
For NHGRI specifically, this typically means services that facilitate the institute's clinical research studies—potentially including protocol development support, regulatory navigation, data management coordination, patient recruitment consultation, or operational collaboration with clinical partners. The emphasis on "support and collaboration" rather than direct research execution suggests the contractor will work alongside NHGRI staff and external investigators to keep studies running effectively. The place of performance in Bethesda, Maryland, places this work at or near NIH's main campus, where NHGRI is headquartered.
Given that this is a "Combined Synopsis/Solicitation," the notice serves dual purposes: it announces the requirement and provides the actual solicitation documents for offerors to respond to directly.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Health and Human Services, Department of; National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Health OLAO |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 75N98026R00034 |
| NAICS | 541690 |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside - Total |
| Response deadline | November 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern |
| Place of performance | Bethesda, MD |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses under the Small Business Set Aside - Total program. To bid, your business must:
- Qualify as small under the NAICS 541690 size standard (see the solicitation for the specific employee or revenue threshold)
- Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active status
- Hold any required federal certifications for small business participation
Because this involves clinical research support at a major biomedical research institution, the contracting officer will likely evaluate whether offerors have relevant scientific or regulatory backgrounds. Prior experience supporting NIH-funded research, institutional review board (IRB) processes, or clinical trial operations would strengthen eligibility, though the specific evaluation criteria are in the solicitation documents.
How to put together a competitive bid
For clinical research consulting services, bids typically win on demonstrated expertise, personnel qualifications, and understanding of federal research environments rather than price alone. Focus on these elements:
Personnel credentials: Identify key personnel with direct experience in genomic medicine, clinical research operations, or NIH intramural research programs. Highlight any former NIH staff or investigators with established relationships. CVs and role-specific narratives carry significant weight in scientific services acquisitions.
Relevant past performance: Cite contracts supporting federal clinical research, particularly at HHS agencies. Include performance metrics where available—study completion rates, regulatory approval timelines, or collaboration outcomes. If you lack direct NIH experience, emphasize comparable work at academic medical centers or other federal research institutions.
Technical approach: Describe how your team would integrate with NHGRI's existing protocol infrastructure. Address knowledge of NIH-specific processes such as the Intramural Research Program's administrative requirements, the NIH Clinical Center's operational framework, or data sharing expectations. Be specific about collaboration models—see the solicitation for whether NHGRI envisions embedded support, advisory services, or a hybrid model.
Compliance precision: Scientific consulting proposals for NIH often require detailed safety plans, conflict of interest disclosures, and human subjects protections documentation. Even as a support contractor, you may need to demonstrate institutional understanding of these frameworks.
Small business strengths: Emphasize responsiveness and dedicated attention that larger firms may not match. If you partner with other small businesses for specialized capabilities, ensure any subcontracting arrangements comply with set-aside rules.
Next steps
Download the full solicitation package from SAM.gov using solicitation number 75N98026R00034. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation format means the notice itself may contain the complete requirements, attachments, and instructions for proposal preparation. Review all sections carefully—clinical research support contracts at NIH often include detailed statement of work attachments and specific formatting requirements.
Note the firm deadline of November 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern. Late submissions to NIH acquisitions are typically rejected without exception. Confirm your SAM.gov registration is current and that your business size status is properly documented in the system before preparing your response.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →