Research Coordinator Support Services for NHLBI Novel Structural Heart Intervention Protocols

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is pursuing a sole-source acquisition under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for research coordinator support services essential to its Division of Intramural Research clinical protocols involving novel catheter-based interventions, specifically the VINTAGE and SESAME procedures. The contract, solicited under number 75N98026Q00751, is exclusively awarded to Emory University due to its irreplaceable expertise, institutional exclusivity restrictions, and unique role as the only entity whose personnel are qualified and authorized to perform these investigational procedures on-site. Emory’s research coordinators are mandated by institutional policy to be university employees only, and no other organization can replicate this capability without disrupting ongoing clinical trials and compromising protocol integrity. The period of performance spans one year from September 22, 2026, to September 21, 2027, with performance occurring in Bethesda, Maryland at NHLBI’s facility. While the exact monetary value is not disclosed due to the absence of pricing details in the available documentation, the acquisition relies on the attached Notice of Intent for essential information that is not publicly accessible. Offerors were required to submit responses via email to designated contracting officers by July 30, 2026, and must maintain active SAM.gov registration with a valid DUNS number and certified business size under the NAICS code 561990, which carries a $16.5 million size standard. No competitive evaluation was conducted; award is based solely on Emory’s unique qualifications and operational necessity. Payment and invoice procedures are governed by federal requirements through SAM.gov, though specific payment office or invoicing method details are not provided. No formal inspection criteria, packaging specifications, evaluation factors, or contract clauses beyond general FAR Part 13 applicability were detailed, reflecting the streamlined nature of this simplified acquisition. The sole-source determination is firmly grounded in Emory’s proprietary clinical expertise, longstanding institutional collaboration with NHLBI, and regulatory limits on personnel involvement in IRB-sponsored trials.