R410--Pilot Peer Review Services Request for Information

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration is seeking research administrative services for the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence (AHBPCE) Pilot Project Peer Review Program. The contractor will develop a framework to solicit research proposals from VA and VA-affiliated researchers, identify external subject matter experts for technical peer review, and synthesize review results. Key contract requirements include establishing a secure web-based database, reviewing up to 20 pilot project proposals and 5 internal AHBPCE investigator proposals annually, and recruiting a minimum pool of 250 doctorate-level expert reviewers. The solicitation falls under NAICS code 813920 and PSC R410, with responses due by December 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the contractor's ability to minimize bias, expand the investigator pool, and facilitate a robust review process.

No specific set-aside has been designated for this procurement, meaning all business categories are eligible, including Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business, HUB Zone, 8(a), Small Business, and Large Business. The contract will have a base year with three option years, to be performed virtually and offsite. Key personnel requirements include a Project Manager with 4+ years of multidisciplinary team management and a Peer Review Manager with 2+ years of peer review process experience. Monthly progress meetings will be required, with increased frequency during review cycles. While no specific award value was mentioned, the contract will involve managing a comprehensive peer review process for research proposals related to veterans' health concerns, particularly those associated with military environmental exposure. Deliverables will include a project plan, database setup, proposal reviews, and regular progress reports.