NCATS Scientific and Technology Support Services (STSS)

This request is to initiate a new PCAIS entry for the Scientific and Technology Support Services (STSS) recompete acquisition. NCATS requires continued scientific and technical support to operate and maintain its highly specialized research environment. This environment includes laboratory instruments, automated systems, data tools, scientific platforms, development environments, and computational resources that allow scientists to run experiments, analyze results, manage data, and share information with collaborators across NIH and partner organizations. These systems form an integrated scientific ecosystem that must operate reliably and securely for NCATS research activities to continue.

NCATS previously pursued two RFQs for this requirement; however, both RFQs were canceled. The most recent PCAIS/PAA/DER entry was used to support a six-month modification to the current award to maintain continuity of services while NCATS revised the acquisition strategy for the follow-on requirement.

This new request supports the recompete acquisition for the follow-on STSS contract under the revised acquisition strategy. The follow-on contract is necessary to ensure continued support for NCATS scientific systems, platforms, data environments, computational tools, laboratory technology workflows, development and innovation activities, infrastructure and cloud operations, user support, security and compliance activities, and transition services necessary to maintain continuity of operations. Without continued contractor support, NCATS could experience disruptions to active research projects, scientific data pipelines, laboratory systems, and specialized technical services that support the NCATS translational science mission.

The requested support requires specialized expertise in data science, informatics, scientific platforms, data analysis, development and innovation, infrastructure/cloud operations, and scientific computing that is not available at the necessary level within the current federal workforce. Approval of this acquisition is necessary to prevent interruption of research operations, protect prior federal investment, and ensure NCATS can continue advancing translational science and the development of new medical treatments and technologies.