Description
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) seeks a qualified contractor to supply post‑mortem human brain and associated tissue on a continuous, indefinite‑delivery basis to support research into neurological and psychiatric disorders. The contractor will identify eligible donor cases from medical examiner offices or hospitals within a 150‑mile radius of NIH Bethesda, obtain next‑of‑kin consent, perform rapid extraction, package specimens on ice, and ship them to the NIH Brain Collection Core within strict time windows (≤12 hours after extraction, ≤48 hours after death). The effort includes providing basic clinical histories, regulatory compliance documentation, and a report on cause of death. This is an IDIQ contract with multiple awardees, emphasizing technical capability, volume of referrals, and specimen quality.
• Scope: Daily case review, consent coordination, rapid autopsy, tissue (brain, blood, nasopharyngeal swab, optional tissues) extraction, packaging, and shipping.
• Eligibility: Brains of all ages, sexes, races; must be within 150 mi of Bethesda; must meet inclusion criteria (neuropsychiatric disorders or healthy controls) and avoid listed exclusion criteria.
• Delivery: Specimens must reach NIH within 12 hours of extraction; shipping logistics handled by contractor with ice‑making equipment (reimbursed).
• Contract type: Multiple‑Award IDIQ, competitive RFP, award based on best value (technical > price).
• Required certifications: SAM registration, UEI, TIN, small‑business certifications as applicable.
• Timeline: Offer due 09/11/2026; performance expected on an ongoing basis.