Survey Monkey_FY24_ATRP_ RFI_v2_12April.docx

ATRP Survey Monkey Subject: Arthritis Research Program Fiscal Year 2024 Stakeholder Request for Information

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS; IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

1.0 DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The Government reserves the right to use any information submitted in public documents or websites. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained. The information which is being requested shall be entered into Survey Monkey; therefore, the Government is unable to protect proprietary/sensitive information. Interested parties shall not submit proprietary and/or sensitive information through Survey Monkey.

2.0 SUBJECT: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) will hold a stakeholders meeting where individuals with relevant expertise and experience will be brought together to identify knowledge gaps, targeted outcomes, and product needs that can advance the state of the science and improve patient care. To expedite the process, the CDMRP is currently requesting information on the identification of knowledge gaps, targeted outcomes, and product needs that can advance the state of the science and improve patient care for individuals diagnosed with arthritis. The CDMRP will select stakeholders who respond to this RFI for invitation to attend the virtual Stakeholders meeting. Response to this RFI does not guarantee an invitation.

3.0 BACKGROUND: Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related diseases that can cause inflammation, swelling, or pain around one or many joints leading to disability. A Peer Reviewed Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) is included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 at $10 million (M). The FY24 ATRP will be managed by the CDMRP according to Congressional intent to support research relating to the detrimental impact of arthritis “on all forms of arthritis including osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis”. All CDMRP-funded research must be relevant to Service Members, their Families, Veterans, and/or the American public. The full text for the appropriation supporting the inception of the Arthritis Research Program can be found on page 270 in the House Appropriations Committee on Defense Document. (Retrieved from: https://www.congress.gov/118/crpt/hrpt121/CRPT-118hrpt121.pdf).

The CDMRP will utilize its two-tier review process (http://cdmrp.army.mil/about/2tierRevProcess) to efficiently manage the ATRP. The CDMRP will also hold a virtual ATRP Stakeholders meeting in May 2024 where individuals with relevant expertise and experience will be brought together to identify knowledge gaps, targeted outcomes, and product needs that can advance the state of the science and improve patient care. After the stakeholders meeting, a vision setting meeting will be held to recommend an investment strategy for the FY24 appropriation to answer some of the unmet medical needs, knowledge gaps, and consumer concerns identified during the stakeholders meeting.

4.0 RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS:

Please provide responses to the RFI below. It is anticipated that your input will take 10-15 minutes.

The CDMRP will hold a virtual Stakeholders meeting on May 2024, where individuals with relevant expertise and experience will identify knowledge and treatment gaps that can advance the state of the science and improve patient care.

In order to expedite the process, the CDMRP is currently requesting information on the identification of knowledge gaps in areas of diagnosis, prevention, interventions, outcome assessment tools, and patient needs in the area of arthritis.

*Questions denoted with an asterisk are required. All other questions are optional.

1. *What area of research do you feel requires the most additional investment? (Select up to two)

· Prevention strategies for early-onset arthritis/osteoarthritis/post-traumatic osteoarthritis

· Interventions to increase mobility

· Interventions targeting tissue regeneration

· Interventions to reduce pain associated with arthritis

· Understanding of the impact of sex differences on disease progression and/or intervention outcomes

· Understanding of the biomarkers present before symptoms occur that lead to arthritis

2. *The following research topics focus on improving understanding and prevention. Please indicate which of the following topics you believe are the most underfunded. Up to two research topics may be selected.

· I am not experienced in this particular area

· Pathobiology

· Risk factors leading to accelerated degeneration

· Factors supporting healing or slowing progression

· Epidemiology (including impact of sex differences on disease progression)

· Impacts of systemic inflammation

· Early diagnosis

3. *The following research topics focus on treatment options for arthritis. Please indicate which of the following topics you believe are the most underfunded. Up to two research topics may be selected.

· I am not experienced in this particular area

· Intra-articular and non-articular

· Regenerative medicine

· Rehabilitation

· Surgical interventions

· Tissue healing

4. *The following research topics focus on outcomes for arthritis. Please indicate which of the following topics you believe are the most underfunded. Up to two research topics may be selected.

· I am not experienced in this particular area

· Outcomes assessments (including long-term disability)

· Holistic care (including role of nutrition and stress)

· Pediatric

· Rheumatoid arthritis

· Tissue healing

· Patient satisfaction and preferences For the purposes of responding to this RFI, please use the following research continuum definitions:

5. Please rank (1-6) the following areas of the research continuum based on which will have the most impact to the least impact. A score of 1 indicates that research area will have the MOST impact on the topic while a score of 6 indicates that research area will have the LEAST impact.

Osteoarthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Juvenile arthritis

Other types of arthritis

6. Based on the state of the science for each topic listed below, please select the one research stage that would benefit from the greatest investment per type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Juvenile arthritis

Other types of arthritis

7. Is there a specific rare type of arthritis that you believe requires more research?

Yes No If yes, please indicate type of arthritis below:

DEMOGRAPHICS AND INTEREST IN STAKEHOLDERS MEETING PARTICIPATION

8. Which of the following best describes your role in the arthritis research community? (Select all that apply)

· Academia

· Clinician

· Foundation/Non-Government Organization

· Governmental Program Administrator

· Industry

· Patient/Caregiver/Advocate

· Other (please specify)_________________________________________________________

9. From the list of topics below, please select the primary topic that most closely aligns with your area of expertise/interest. A secondary topic may also be selected, if applicable.

· Juvenile arthritis

· Other types of arthritis (please specify) ___________________________________________

10. If you would like to be contacted regarding attendance at the upcoming FY24 ATRP Stakeholders Meeting (virtual meeting May 2024, date TBD), please provide your name, organization, email address, and phone number.

The ATRP Stakeholders meeting attendee list will be balanced across disciplines, as appropriate, to facilitate discussion. The CDMRP may not be able to accommodate all interested respondents. However, the outcomes of the ATRP Stakeholders meeting will be made publicly available on the ATRP webpage.

Organization:

First name:

Last name:

Email address:

Phone number:

5.0 CONTACT INFORMATION: Any and all questions related to this RFI shall be directed to Joshua McKean at Joshua.d.mckean3.civ@health.mil. Responses shall be submitted by no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on 28 April 2024.