A--Study Coordinating Center for Lung Health Cohort

The National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is soliciting proposals for a cost-reimbursement, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to establish a Study Coordinating Center for the Lung Health Cohort, a longitudinal study enrolling up to 4,000 community-dwelling adults aged 25–35 across 17 U.S. metropolitan regions. The contract, identified by solicitation number RFP-75N92026R00008, has a maximum estimated value of $49,400,000 and a performance period extending from March 1, 2027, through February 28, 2033, comprising a one-year base period and five one-year option periods. The primary responsibilities include managing study personnel, data, and biospecimens; coordinating five-year follow-up exams using the Airways Clinical Research Centers network; conducting CT image quality assessments; and ensuring seamless transition of all study assets to any future contractor. Proposal submissions are due by June 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET through the NIH electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) website, with mandatory submission of two sealed PDF volumes: a technical proposal not exceeding 30 narrative pages and a business proposal with no page limit, each required to be word-searchable and formatted to letter size with 10–12 point font. Proposals must include completed attachments addressing human subjects compliance, data management plans, Section 508 accessibility, cost breakdowns, and subcontracting plans, all submitted through specified portals including the HHS Small Business Customer Experience system. The solicitation imposes rigorous compliance obligations under HHS and NIH policies, including strict adherence to 45 CFR 46 for human subjects protection, mandatory Institutional Review Board certification via OMB Form 0990-0263, and Federal Wide Assurance documentation. All deliverables must meet HHS accessibility standards, requiring 100% compliance with WCAG Level A, 98–100% with WCAG Level AA, no critical blockers, and submission of a VPAT and accessible PDFs. Key personnel roles are designated as essential, subject to HHSAR 352.237-75, and require pre-approval for substitution. The contractor must maintain an IT Security System Plan updated annually