Pain Neuroscience Education

The contractor will deliver a comprehensive pain neuroscience education program focused on evidence-based training for understanding pain signals, targeting both adolescents and adults. The curriculum will cover core neurological and biopsychosocial concepts including peripheral and central sensitization, threat appraisal by the brain, nociception, stress and endocrine responses to pain, and endogenous strategies for pain modulation. Instructional materials will include participant workbooks, applicable software licenses, and one to two pre-recorded training sessions designed with imagery, metaphors, and relatable examples to enhance comprehension. The program will also include a train-the-trainer component to enable local implementation and sustainability. A critical requirement is the evaluation of the curriculum’s cultural competence and identification of necessary adaptations to ensure relevance and effectiveness across diverse populations served by the Indian Health Service. The initiative is managed by the Indian Health Service with primary coordination through Cynthia Gunderson and a contracting officer to be determined. The opportunity is posted under NAICS code 541990, indicating it falls under other scientific and technical consulting services. While no set-aside designation or specific location for performance is specified, the program is intended to support health services across Native communities. The contractor must ensure all materials are adaptable, culturally responsive, and ready for deployment in settings with varied linguistic, cultural, and healthcare contexts. The overall goal is to equip providers with the knowledge and tools to deliver consistent, accurate, and empathetic pain education that bridges scientific understanding with lived experience.