Identifying Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Recruitment and Retention for Clinical Research

This is a notice of intent, not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIMH Intramural Research Program's have and objective in identifying racial and ethnic approaches to recruitment and retention for clinical research. NIMH and NIH are committed to instituting new ways to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to strengthen the biomedical enterprise by harnessing the complete intellectual capital available and bring diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and skillsets to apply to complex problems. NIMH Intramural Research Program's objective is to identify and establish a sustainable, replicable, clinical research template for effective, culturally competent outreach, engagement, recruitment, and retention of racially, ethically, and linguistically diverse populations in the DC-MD-VA catchment area. Health disparities are preventable differences in health status and outcomes that adversely affect certain populations. Research on health disparities examines the influence of environment, social determinants, and other underlying mechanisms leading to differences in health outcomes. This multidisciplinary field of science also seeks to identify evidence-based approaches to reduce the unequal burdens of morbidity and mortality among disparity populations defined as racial/ethnic minority, low socio-economic status, rural, and sexual and gender minority populations in the United States. At NIH, every Institute and Center (IC) supports research into the causes of and potential interventions for health disparities within their mission. The increasing population growth of racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities, each with its own cultural traits and health profiles, presents strategic and tactical challenges to clinical research recruitment and retention. This demographic revolution is compounded by persistent and pervasive health disparities and the historic mistrust and distrust of U.S. diverse population groups. Unique social, cultural, psychological, and economic community personalities demand tailored recruitment and retention strategies. The NIMH Intramural Program (NIMH IRP) requires an expert in researching and identifying current mental health and healthcare viewsand knowledge from diverse community members and groups. The expert is also needed to identify key stakeholders and gatekeepers in diverse communities to build trusting relationships. NIMH IRP also requires an expert to train multi-disciplinary staff in cultural humility, practices, and preferences so that all professional interactions can be inclusive and affirming. The expert should synthesize all findings to create a strategic plan to successfully recruit and retain research participants from diverse backgrounds. Based on the requirements of this need it has been determined that the vendor needs to have established expertise in health and healthcare marketing with a specialty in diverse global cultures. NIMH intends to make this award to WOSB: Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group LLC. 34 State St Teaneck, NJ, 07666-5211 201-833-9302 As such, no other vendor can provide the Government with the established expertise in health and healthcare marketing with a specialty in diverse global cultures. This acquisition is being conducted using policies unique to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures, Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstance of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. Contracts awarded using FAR Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6-Competition Requirements. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this posting. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Comments to this announcement, referencing this posting number, may be submitted to the CC, Office of Purchasing and Contracts, prior to the closing date specified in this announcement, electronically to the attention of Christopher Halstead, Contract Specialist, Christopher.Halstead@nih.gov by the due date and time marked in this notice