Preclinical Validation of Behavioral Economic Methods for Abuse Potential Assessment

The Food and Drug Administration seeks preclinical validation of behavioral economic methods for abuse potential assessment under an 8(a) sole source intent, with capability statements due August 4, 2026. The FDA intends to award a firm-fixed price contract to Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, under FAR Part 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source) authority using simplified acquisition procedures.

The contractor shall validate behavioral economic demand curve analysis as described in Banks et al. 2026 and establish a quantitative framework for comparing relative abuse potential of novel compounds against known drugs of abuse. Multi-site validation must confirm robustness and reproducibility of the methodology, with concurrent sensitivity evaluation to detect differences in essential value among drugs with varying mu-opioid receptor efficacy. The contractor must collect two data types: fixed-ratio dose-effect curves for at least four unit doses plus vehicle, and demand curves for at least two unit doses for both a positive control drug and a test drug. The same animal cohorts shall be utilized for both standard dose-effect curves and behavioral economic demand curves to preserve catheter patency, conserve resources, and ensure robust statistical power. NAICS code is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; PSC is B529, Special Studies/Analysis–Scientific Data. Interested firms submit capability statements to Telisha Wilson at Telisha.wilson@fda.hhs.gov by August 4, 2026; however, the Government retains sole discretion in determining whether to compete this requirement.