PMDP_SSN_031226.pdf

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Washington, DC - Cambridge, MA - Dallas, TX www.arpa-h.gov

Sources Sought Notice 75N992-26-SS-105

Program Manager Development Framework

1.0 Introduction

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is conducting market research in support of the O@ice of the Director (DIRO). ARPA-H has a requirement for a Program Manager Development Framework to further the agency’s mission.

Background:

The statutory mission and design of ARPA-H require the agency to operate in a fast, nimble, and agile manner to drive high-impact biomedical and health innovations. ARPA-H is structured to pursue bold, high-risk, high-reward projects, rapidly test and iterate solutions, and accelerate the translation of breakthrough concepts into real-world health outcomes. To accomplish this mission, ARPA-H must be supported by Program Managers capable of matching this operational tempo— bringing flexible, adaptive, and innovation-focused capabilities that can be deployed quickly and scaled e@iciently. These Program Managers must be able to support an aggressive agenda for developing and transitioning transformative health solutions that address current and emerging global health threats.

ARPA-H is statutorily required to rotate its Program Managers on relatively short, fixed terms, which creates a constant need to onboard, equip, and transition PMs without delay. This rotation model leaves no time for vendors to pause, assess, and slowly stand up a training solution. As a result, ARPA-H requires firms that can deliver a fully operational Program Management Development Framework on Day 1 of award, with no spin-up period, so that PMs can immediately begin driving programs and the agency can meet its mission within these regulatory constraints.

(reference: Text - H.R.5585 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): ARPA–H Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress)

2.0 Sources Sought Notice:

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(c)(3), responses to this Sources Sought Notice (SSN) are not o@ers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This SSN is issued solely for market research purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Quotations (RFQ). The Government will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this SSN as all costs associated with responding to this SSN will be the sole responsibility of the responding party.

All submissions to this SSN become Government property and will not be returned. Proprietary information and trade secrets shall NOT be submitted in response to this SSN. The Government will not review any submittals with proprietary information or trade secrets. The summary of the Government’s needs below is a preliminary description and does not constitute the Government’s final requirement.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5585/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5585/text

3.0 Requirement:

This requirement supports ARPA-H in executing its mission by enhancing Program Manager (PM) development, and implementation capability through an ARPA-H Program Manager Development Framework. This requirement is intended to deploy and sustain a fully operational Program Manager Development Framework by:

a. Providing a day 1 fully deployable ready-to-use Program Manager Development Framework—requiring no additional stand-up time—that is specifically designed to train and prepare Program Managers to operate e@ectively in an ARPA-like environment. The contractor shall demonstrate experience operating within an ARPA or similar high-risk, high-reward innovation culture to design, deliver, and refine the framework so that it rapidly builds and sustains program management, performer engagement, risk-mitigation, and transition-planning capabilities.

b. Strengthening the capabilities of current ARPA-H PMs through structured mentorship, cross-PM learning, and targeted skill development that improves program design, metrics definition, risk management, and transition strategies.

4.0 SSN Requested Response Areas:

Through this SSN, ARPA-H seeks capability statements from qualified vendors that demonstrate relevant qualifications and specialized experience supporting an Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)-like environment. The envisioned support will enable ARPA-H to quickly and seamlessly integrate Program Managers into the agency’s infrastructure so that they can have an immediate impact in meeting the Government’s program requirements and timelines.

Respondents should outline an approach to providing a day 1 deployable solution to ARPA’s mission and environment in the following areas:

4.1 Program Manager (PM) Framework Design and Refinement

Respondents should describe their experience in:

a. Developing PM frameworks that include competencies for:

Working e@ectively in an ARPA or ARPA-like environment.

If citing ARPA-like experience, please describe how and why the experience is ARPA-like.

Applying federal acquisition, budgeting, and oversight principles; and

Managing high-risk, high-reward R&D programs; and

b. Aligning such frameworks with an organization’s mission, culture, and strategic priorities to support PM development, and performance management.

4.2 Training and Curriculum Development

Respondents should describe their experience in:

a. Developing tiered curricula (introductory, intermediate, advanced) mapped to PM competencies.

b. Creating learning objectives, course outlines, and delivery modalities (e.g., instructor-led, workshops, simulations, self-paced); and

c. Designing training suitable for PMs with limited or no federal experience.

d. Designing training tailored to the ARPA or ARPA-like agency model.

4.3 Program Manager Workforce Development Support

Firms should demonstrate experience in PM workforce development, specifically in an ARPA or ARPA-like environment, as follows:

a. Defining lifecycle PM development pathways (onboarding through advanced skill-building); and

b. Incorporating coaching, mentoring, and applied learning (e.g., shadowing, communities of practice, cohorts).

4.4 Assessment, Measurement, and Continuous Improvement

Provide brief examples of assessment approaches and resulting improvements highlighting the following areas:

a. Designing tools and processes to assess competencies before and after training.

b. Defining metrics and feedback mechanisms to evaluate e@ectiveness; and

c. Recommending iterative updates based on assessment results.

4.5 Documentation and Knowledge Transfer

Provide brief examples of documentation and knowledge transfer e@orts that demonstrate experience as follows:

a. Developing clear documentation (e.g., competency models, curriculum maps, guidance); and

b. Delivering knowledge transfer (e.g., briefings, job aids, train-the-trainer).

5.0 Response Format and Submission:

Vendors are requested to submit their response to the SSN no later than 10:00 a.m. EDT, Monday, March 23rd, 2026. Send responses to steven.snyder@arpa-h.gov. Responses should be limited to 10 pages.

Vendors are requested to include the following information in their responses.

1. Complete Business Name, including UEI Number, Tax ID, CAGE Code, and GSA or other relevant contract numbers.

2. Contact Information (Respondent's name and title, address, telephone, e-mail).

3. Business Size and Classification (small, small-disadvantaged, SBA Certified 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, other than small, etc.). The anticipated NAICS for the Government’s requirements is 611430 (Professional and Management Training Development), with a size standard of $15 Million.

4. Capability statement and responses to the Government’s questions as identified in section 4.0 of this notice.

5. Any questions or feedback regarding the Government’s anticipated requirement.

6. Rough order of magnitude broken out on a per Program Manager cost.

A submitted response to this SSN constitutes consent for the submission to be reviewed by Government personnel and program support contractors.

Thank you for your interest in partnering with ARPA-H. We look forward to your valuable insights and recommendations.