A -- Centralized Medicinal Chemistry Service Facility for Optimization of Candidate Compounds for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

The SMA Project, initiated by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), is preparing to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for establishing a centralized medicinal chemistry service facility focused on optimizing candidate compounds for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a severe neurodegenerative disease affecting children. The RFP is expected within 30 days and will offer an opportunity for responsible offerors to submit proposals aimed at advancing therapeutic development through this milestone-driven research program. Prospective participants are encouraged to join the SMA Project ListServ to receive immediate notification upon the RFP release, with additional announcements to be posted on the federal procurement portal FedBizOpps. The solicitation, designated JL-19704-3, will be accessible through the SMA Project’s Open Solicitations webpage, with proposals due at least four weeks after the RFP issue date. The management and coordination of this initiative are supported by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), working on behalf of NINDS. The contract focuses on securing expert services to enhance medicinal chemistry efforts in the development of treatments for SMA, reinforcing the program’s commitment to accelerating therapeutic options for this debilitating condition.