Lifeline Mobile

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for repairs and modifications to mobile research vehicles used in the HANDLS study program. The HANDLS study, which has been ongoing since 2004, investigates age-related health disparities in Baltimore using three mobile medical research vehicles as community-based platforms for clinical research. Two vehicles require repairs: MRV1, a 50-foot customized trailer with three functional exam areas, and MRV2, a 43-foot self-propelled truck containing areas for participant interviews, cognitive testing, and audio/vision testing. The contract falls under NAICS code 811210 for Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance and is designated as an 8(a) sole source opportunity. The NIH intends to award this non-competitive contract to Lifeline Mobile, the original manufacturer of these custom-built vehicles.

The primary purpose of this sole source notice is to maintain the specialized mobile research vehicles that are critical to the ongoing HANDLS study, with repairs scheduled at different times to minimize disruption to the research program. The base period of performance runs from September 3, 2025, to August 31, 2026, with MRV2 repairs occurring from September 3 through October 15, 2025, and MRV1 repairs scheduled from July 1 through August 7, 2026. Repair work includes replacing awnings, repairing wiring, testing systems, replacing interior cabinetry, and updating task lighting. Lifeline Mobile was selected as the sole source due to their unique knowledge of the vehicles' original construction and access to the blueprints. Interested parties may submit capability statements electronically to the contract specialist by August 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, though this is structured as a small business set-aside under the 8(a) program. The contract maintains the government's financial investment in these specialized research platforms while ensuring continued safe clinical spaces for workers and study participants.