Addressing Institutional Child Abuse

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Mission Acquisition Solutions (OMAS) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine using simplified acquisition procedures for certain commercial products and commercial services authorized by FAR Subpart 13.5. The sole-source acquisition is supported by a written justification prepared and approved in accordance with FAR 13.501.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes only a notice; quotations are not being requested, and separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Requirement

HHS requests to have the National Academies conduct a comprehensive study of youth residential programs—including therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, boot camps, group homes, and other congregate care settings serving youth in order to examine the prevalence, causes, and scope of child abuse, neglect, and deaths; identify gaps in oversight and data collection; identify Federal and State funding sources that support youth residential programs and barriers to blending and braiding funding to expand community-based alternatives; and evaluate existing standards of care and regulatory practices.

An initial report will be issued within 3 years, followed by recurring reports every 2 years for a period of 10 years, with findings and recommendations to improve accountability, strengthen safeguards expand community-based alternatives, and promote the health, safety, and well-being of youth in residential care settings.

The anticipated period of performance is:

Baseline Study— 36 month period of performance, nonseverable

Optional Task 1, study and recommendations, 24 months, nonseverable

Optional Task 2, study and recommendations, 24 months, nonseverable

Optional Task 3, study and recommendations, 24 months, nonseverable

Period of Performance is 108 months including all Optional Tasks.

The 10-year statutory authority expires in Sept 2036.

Price

The contractor shall provide a firm-fixed-price quotation for the required advertising placement and associated publication services.

The Government anticipates award of a firm-fixed-price purchase order.

Applicable FAR Provisions and Clauses

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition:

• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
• FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services

Additional applicable FAR and HHSAR provisions and clauses will be incorporated into the resulting purchase order.

Responses

The proposed acquisition action is for items and services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.501. If you believe you can provide the items or services requested, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency, to the Contracting Officer, Anne Mineweaser, at anne.mineweaser@hhs.gov referencing notice number HHS-OAMS-NOI-26-7571MN26Q00084by 12:00 P.M. on September 3, 2026. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract acquisition based upon responses to the notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

Any solicitation resulting from the analysis of information obtained will be announced to the public in Federal Business Opportunities in accordance with FAR Part 5. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).