Scientific Review (SR) and Scientific Portfolio Analysis (SPA)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation's medical research agency - making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 different components called Institutes and Centers (ICs). Each has its own specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. All but three of these components receive their funding directly from Congress, and administer their own budgets. The overall NIH budget in 2016 was approximately $31B and the budget for the largest institute, the National Cancer Institute was approximately $5B. Headquarters for the NIH Office of the Director and the Institutes and Centers are located in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. NIH has more than 75 buildings in a campus-like environment over 300 acres. Some research is performed on campus in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, although more than 80% of research activities are conducted by scientists working in every state and around the world. This contract provides support in two areas needed for effective research activity funding: Scientific Review and Scientific Portfolio Analysis.

Scientific Review (SR) is the process of conducting initial scientific merit review of program's project research grants, multi-center clinical trials grants, training grants, research and development contracts, and research center proposals. In order to perform this function effectively, tools are needed to identify and assign the best qualified reviewers to participate in the peer review process who also do not have any conflicts of interest related to the material under review.

Scientific Portfolio Analysis (SPA) provides the ability to determine what areas of research should be funded and how much funding should be allocated. In a report by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Scientific Portfolio Analysis Workgroup (SPAWG), scientific portfolio analysis is defined as "the use of a collection of tools and resources to query the scientific portfolio to address questions that will enable the Institute to make data driven decisions about resource allocation and strategic priority setting, and to facilitate program management and oversight. Portfolio analysis activities include: coding, data gathering, data analysis, and outcome assessments (publications, publication impact, patents, guidance, policies, etc.)."

The objective of this Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) single-award contract is to provide the ability for NIH ICs to procure SR and SPA solutions on an as needed basis. This requirement is designed to provide a flexible means for the NIH to acquire needed solutions in a cost-effective, timely, and efficient manner on a project-by-project basis. The overall SR and SPA program will be managed by the NHLBI's Information Technology and Applications Center (ITAC).