NIH-wide Doctoral Partnership Training Program - University of Cambridge

NON-COMPETITIVE

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION

7571PS26Q00128

Title: NIH-wide Doctoral Partnership Training Program - University of Cambridge

 (i)        This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in part 12 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The Solicitation number is 7571PS26Q00128 issued as a Request for Quotation to support the Doctoral Partnership Training Program at the University of Cambridge.

This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

THIS IS A NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) COMBINED SYNOPSIS SOLICITATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME). 

The Office of Mission Acquisition Solutions (OMAS), Office of Acquisitions (OA), on behalf of The National Institute on Allergy Infectious Diseases (NIAID), intends to negotiate and award a purchase order without providing for full and open competition (including brand-name) to University of Cambridge, Research Operations Office, Greenwich House, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3-0TX, United Kingdom for the NIH Fellows roster.

This acquisition is conducted as non-competitive for a commercial product or commercial service and is conducted pursuant to FAR Subpart 12.201-1—Simplified Procedures, in accordance with 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1901 Simplified acquisition procedures Pursuant to FAR subpart 12.102(b) Restricting Competition, in accordance with FAR 6.103-1(b)

 (ii)       This requirement is for the following services: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Medical Sciences, the University of Cambridge of the United Kingdom, and the NIH-wide Global Doctoral Partnership (NGDP) Program have a shared interest in fostering collaborative research.  The NIH provides, through its offices and investigators, the recruitment of exceptional students from the United States who will carry out graduate-level training and research for the 2025-2026 academic year under coordinated mentors at the NIH and University of Cambridge.  This acquisition seeks to cover the tuition fees for both new (incoming) and continuing students in the program for the 2025-2026 academic year.  The program of study shall include co-supervision for trainees at the University and the NIH.  Basic and applied research shall be carried out by the trainees at both institutions.

Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements: 

University of Cambridge
Research Operations Office
Greenwich House
Madingley Road
Cambridge
CB3 0TX
UNITED KINGDOM

(iii)       Description of requirement:

The University of Cambridge shall provide 33 graduate-level training and research for students for the 2026-2027 academic year.  In addition to administrative oversight, the University shall provide for the following functions:

1. Shared core values (NIH and University)
   1. Advance the NIH mission of global outreach and training by contributing internationally collaborative research in areas of emerging and infectious disease, global health, and international medicine.
   2. Common government pursuit of public health care and health care initiatives.
2. University requirements

1. The partnering University must have a tutorial system where faculty fellows teach students in groups of one to three on a weekly basis.  The tutorial system is uniquely required for the student training in the International PhD Program because there is no formal didactic component required for degree completion.  The tutorial system will allow students to receive direct feedback on their NIH projects.  It will also provide an opportunity to discuss the published literature and to learn how to think critically like a scientist.
2. University provides access to classes for students virtually online or safely in-person.
3. Shared training between the NIH and the University.  Students spend a maximum of two years at the partner institution.  The remaining two years of PhD experiential work must be spent at the NIH.
4. Demonstrated emphasis on quality research with supplemental coursework and skills enrichment opportunities available but not mandatory.
5. The students in the graduate partnership program work collaboratively in any one of the 27 Institutes and centers that make up the NIH.  These include but not limited to: NCI-CCR, NCI-DCEG, NEI, NHGRI, NHLBI, NIA, NIAAA, NIAID, NIAMS, NICHD, NIDA, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIDDK, NIMH, NINDS, NLM, VRC, NCATS, CIT, NIEHS, CC.  The degree conferring institution that partners with the NIH must have a pool of researchers that the research expertise found at the NIH.  The partnering institution must have various schools and program that are available as training environments (centers).
6. Demonstrated evidence of academic history of scientific research and training spanning seven to eight centuries.
7. Common requirements for mentorship and training of graduate students.
8. Demonstrated performance: evidence of students who have successfully completed doctoral degrees through a partnership-training program.
9. Abundant opportunities to form collaborations between Principal Investigators based on common program missions and shared biomedical interests in global health and medicine.
10. Existing network of published principal investigators.
11. Common access to contemporary and technologically advanced research facilities.
12. Opportunity for international collaboration and intellectual transfer without language barriers.  English must be spoken exclusively in NIH laboratories.
13. Infrastructure and staff dedicated to international training collaborations.
14. Research specialties in infectious disease, cancer, immunology, neurology, vaccine research, genomics, child health, and human development.
15. Clinical aspect integrated into graduate training with hospitals located on University campus.
16. Administrative oversight
    1. Supervision of existing student participants who have been accepted into the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program and who are continuing training for the 2025-2026 academic scholastic year.
       • The 2026 scholastic enrollment of existing students shall consist of multiple participants. 
    2. Reviewing University application packages for matriculating students to ensure that all admission documents have been received, reviewed, and validated.
    3. Informing students of Visa requirements.
    4. Notifying student program participants of his/her acceptance to the university and college.
    5. Provision of research opportunities in university laboratories with qualified faculty members who will serve as mentors and advisors to the students in the program.
    6. Participation and support of annual research colloquia and other program activities.
    7. Facilitation of the entry of U.S. students into the full college life of the University as members of the Colleges at the University.
    8. Provision of University housing for students in the program.

(iv)       The Government anticipates award of a firm fixed-price purchase order for this acquisition, and the anticipated period of performance will begin on or around 09/30/2026 through 09/29/2027 for one year.

(v)        The provisions at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul

https://www.hhs.gov/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar-overhaul

(End of provision)

1. The following FAR provisions are required by FAR 12.2025(a), and incorporated by reference:

• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

1. The following FAR provisions are required as applicable to this requirement and incorporated by reference:

• See Attachment #1: Table (Table # 12-2) under FAR 12.205 (a)(3).
• FAR 52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (Sep 2024)
• FAR 52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (Jun 2020)
• FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management—Registration (NOV 2025)

1. The following HHSAR provisions are applicable to this requirement and incorporated by reference:
   • HHSAR 352.203.70 Anti-Lobbying JUN 2026 (RFO DEVIATION) (HHSAR CD 2026-11)
   • HHSAR 352.208-70 Printing and Duplication FEB 2026 (RFO DEVIATION) (HHSAR CD 2026-02)
   • HHSAR 352-293.79 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility FEB 2024 (RFO Deviation) (HHSAR CD 2024-01, Amendment 1)

(vi)       The clauses at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul

https://www.hhs.gov/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar-overhaul

(End of clause)

1. The following FAR clauses are required by FAR 12.205(b)(1) for all solicitations and incorporated by reference:

• FAR 52.212-4, Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

1. The following FAR clauses are required as applicable to this requirement and incorporated by reference:

• See Attachment Table# 12-2 under FAR 12.205 (a)(3)

c) The following HHSAR clauses are applicable to this requirement and incorporated by reference.

• HHSAR 352.233-70 Choice of Law (Overseas) DEC 2015
  • HHSAR 352.203-70 Anti-Lobbying JUN 2026 (RFO DEVIATION) (HHSAR CD 2026-11)
  • HHSAR 352.208-70 Printing and Duplication FEB 2026 (RFO DEVIATION) (HHSAR CD 2026-02)
• HHSAR 352-293.79 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility FEB 2024 (RFO Deviation) (HHSAR CD 2024-01, Amendment 1)

POST AWARD EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE

 a. Contractor Performance Evaluations

Interim and Final evaluations of Contractor performance will be prepared on this contract in accordance with FAR Subpart 42.15. The Final performance evaluation will be prepared at the time of completion of work. In addition to the Final evaluation, Interim evaluation(s) will be prepared Annually as follows on [TBD].

Interim and Final evaluations will be provided to the Contractor as soon as practicable after completion of the evaluation. The Contractor will be permitted sixty days to review the document and to submit additional information or a rebutting statement. If agreement cannot be reached between the parties, the matter will be referred to an individual one level above the Contracting

Officer, whose decision will be final.

Copies of the evaluations, Contractor responses, and review comments, if any, will be retained aspart of the contract file, and may be used to support future award decisions.

b. Electronic Access to Contractor Performance Evaluations

RFP Handbook 7/25-86

Contractors may access evaluations through a secure Web site for review and comment at the following address: https://www.cpars.gov .

End of clause.

CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The following Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract:

The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.

[The alternate COR is responsible for carrying out the duties of the COR only in the event that the COR can no longer perform his/her duties as assigned.]

The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to:

(1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule;(4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. Any signed agreement shall be incorporated by reference in Section K of the contract The Government may unilaterally change its COR designation.

End of clause.

EVALUATION

            The provision of the FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEVIATION) (RFO AUG 2025), applies to this acquisition. 

1. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors will be used to evaluate offers:

1. Technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement;
   1. Past performance; and
   2. Price see FAR 12.203 (a) (DEVIATION) (RFO July 2026)

Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price.

1. Notice of award. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer furnished to the successful Offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

The following invoice instruction is included and will be incorporated in the final award:

• Agency Invoicing Instructions (Attachment #3).

The Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov, the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

(vii)      All offers must be received by 9:00a.m., Eastern Daylight/Standard Time, on Monday, September 28, 2026, and reference solicitation number 7571PS26Q00128. Responses must be submitted electronically to Michelle Cecilia, Contract Specialist at michelle.cecilia@nih.gov, cc valerie.whipple@nih.gov.

A determination by the Government whether to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered to determine whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis as indicated above, or to conduct a competitive procurement.

(viii)     The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices. The associated NAICS code 611310, Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools and the small business size standard is $34.5 million.

FAR DEVIATION STATEMENT: “System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offers based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.”

Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror’s capability of fulfilling the requirement at Cambridge University as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. The price proposal/quote must include the labor categories, an estimate of the number of hours required for each labor category, fully loaded fixed hourly rate or each labor category, breakdown and rationale for other direct costs or materials, and the total amount.

The Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.