Contracts Disputes Act Claims Analysis Support RFQ

The Indian Health Service, under the Department of Health and Human Services, is seeking commercial services through a hybrid Labor-Hour/Materials contract for Contract Disputes Act claims analysis and Contract Support Cost proposal support, issued as Request for Quotation 75H70426Q00040 under FAR Part 12. The solicitation requires vendors to submit a two-volume response: a technical volume limited to 25 pages detailing approach, staffing, and experience, and a price volume containing completed pricing tables and financial data, both submitted electronically by 12:00 PM EST on August 4, 2026, to cynthia.cason@ihs.gov. The contract has a base performance period from August 16, 2026, to August 15, 2027, with four optional one-year extensions, and work will be performed primarily off-site with occasional travel to IHS headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. All deliverables must be submitted electronically, with no physical packaging or labeling requirements, and must comply with Section 508 accessibility standards. The government will evaluate proposals using a best-value trade-off approach where technical merit—specifically understanding of scope, staffing quality, and past performance—carries significantly more weight than price, and any technically unacceptable submission will be disqualified. The contract incorporates numerous FAR and HHSAR clauses governing commercial item acquisition, whistleblower rights, subcontracting restrictions, security, payment processing, and disputes, including mandatory clauses for personal identity verification, System for Award Management maintenance, and prohibitions on inverted domestic corporations. Contractors must have a current Unique Entity Identifier in SAM.gov, represent their small business status accurately, and comply with strict security protocols including federal background checks, safeguarding of sensitive unclassified information, and coordination of facility and system access through the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Key personnel—including a designated Contract Manager and alternate—must be available during standard business hours and any substitution requires prior written approval. Invoicing must be done exclusively through the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform, and all documents must be clearly marked as contractor-generated products. The only verifiable cost figure provided is a not-to-exceed amount of $236,823 for travel and other direct costs across the base and four option years; labor costs are not specified in the solicitation but will be evaluated for reasonableness. The government retains final acceptance authority through the COR and may award to the offeror offering the best overall