NIH study with the Washington University School of Medicine to investigate food intake and behaviors (Notice of Intent to sole source)
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- NOI-26-006627
- Agency
-
NIH Clinical Center
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- PSC
- AJ11 General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Basic Research
- Place of performance
- Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center intends to sole-source a research contract with Washington University School of Medicine to investigate the role of cognitive and physical effort in food intake and eating behaviors, with a capability statement deadline of September 8, 2026. The procurement is justified under 41 U.S.C. 1901(a)(1) on the basis that only one responsible source will satisfy agency requirements.
The research partnership focuses on Dr. Alexxai Kravitz's neural mechanisms investigation, utilizing electrophysiology, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis to examine the neural circuits that modulate decision-making and feeding behavior in mice models. This work supports the NIH's Dietary Behaviors and Biopsychosocial Health Section and the IRP Bench to Bedside Award titled "Investigating the role of effort before a meal on food intake and obesogenic food behaviors" (Award ID 1522247), under the principal investigator Dr. Nicole Farmer.
Place of performance is the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, or as otherwise specified by NIH project managers. The period of performance runs from September 11, 2026, through September 10, 2027. Dr. Kravitz holds sustained extramural funding from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases through three active grants: 5R01DK136810-03, 5RO1DK138131-03, and 5RM1MH138313-02.
Interested parties may submit capability statements by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on September 8, 2026, to lu-chang.lu@nih.gov, with subject line referencing NOI-26-006627. All responses received by the closing date will be considered.
Notice text
Acquisition Description & Justification:
This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for proposal. The National Institute of Health, Clinical Center (NIH-CC) intends to negotiate on an other than full and open competition basis with the Washington University School of Medicine.
The NIH is engaged in research that investigates the role of effort before a meal on food intake and obesogenic food behaviors, and requires continued research in this subject.
The NIH has been working with the Washington University School of Medicine, specifically Dr. Alexxai Kravitz, on research involving neural mechanisms that control decision making in eating behavior. Dr. Kravitz studies neural mechanisms that control decision making and feeding utilizing cutting-edge approaches in electrophysiology, optogenetics, and behavioral analysis to investigate the neural circuits that modulate these processes in mice.
The NIH’s Dietary Behaviors and Biopsychosocial Health Section, is developing investigations into the role of cognitive and physical effort in food choice and consumption, and requires a continued partnership with Dr. Kravitz and Washington University in order to use their knowledge and expertise to help carry out this research.
Place of Performance or Delivery:
POP: 9/11/2026 – 09/10/2027
Place of Performance: NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD or as otherwise specified by the NIH project managers
The statutory authority for this sole source requirement is 41 U.S.C. 1901 (a) (1) as implemented by FAR 13.106-1 only one responsible source and no other supply of service will satisfy agency requirements. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. All responsible sources that could provide the required may submit a capability statement that will be considered by email (subject line to reference NOI-26-006627) by 5:00 PM eastern standard time on 09/08/2026 to: lu-chang.lu@nih.gov
All responses received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.
The purchase order that shall be awarded for this project shall use standard government terms and conditions.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sole Source info_Redacted.pdf | ||
| B2B_SoleSource_Kravitz_signed.pdf |
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