CRO Support for NCATS Medicinal Chemistry for Lead Optimization

The Master Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for CRO Support for NCATS Medicinal Chemistry for Lead Optimization is designed to support the Division of Preclinical Innovation (DPI) at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) in its drug development research. The primary objective of this contract vehicle is to facilitate the identification of preclinical drug candidates with enhanced efficacy, optimized pharmacokinetic properties, and minimal predicted toxicity. Awarded on September 26, 2019, with a last order date of September 25, 2024, the contract enables NCATS to engage multiple Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to provide specialized synthetic chemistry and lead optimization services.

Task orders under this IDIQ consistently focus on synthetic chemistry support and lead optimization for specific therapeutic targets, predominantly in the realm of substance use disorder and neurological research. The delivery orders have typically ranged from $1,000 for initial conference calls to approximately $1.7-$3.7 million for substantial research efforts, with performance periods spanning 24 months. Frequent prime contractors include the University of Minnesota, Organix Chemistry Solutions LLC, Research Triangle Institute, and other specialized research organizations. All task orders to date have been awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, specifically the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. No set-aside designations have been used, and performance locations have been distributed across various U.S. research facilities, including Minneapolis, Woburn, Research Triangle Park, and other locations with strong medical research capabilities.