Heather Kirk March 27, 2023 0 Comments

A research request was recently provided to OS AI from a Rockville-based small business IT consultancy and long-time partner to NIH looking for details related to an upcoming RFP to provide a broad set of IT support services to the National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine.  

We at OrangeSlices AI do believe in the need for more and better-informed competition, so provided below are 1) opportunity details provided by the requestor; 2) some key points of contact; and 3) related pursuit/capture data. 

The Ask: Please provide details and information related to this upcoming RFP out of the NIH NLM’s National Center for Biotechnology Information to provide a wide range of IT support services, to include system and database administration, cybersecurity, and management support services; biographic and bibliographic application development; DevOps (Development and Operations); and the ability to provide scientists and programmers with subject matter expertise in basic and applied research in fields of interest to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and NLM.  They are currently showing an estimated of approximately 90 full-time staff equivalents for year one of this 5-year contract. 

** Please note that OS AI will not speculate here as to the accuracy of any scope details provided and/or any current plans related to the timing, details, and likelihood of any recompete.  

OS AI Note: We have been made aware that NIH is currently conducting market research to determine if a small business can perform this type of work. Given the breadth and depth of the requirements, many small businesses will be challenged to respond. The National Library of Medicine has a long history of procuring many of its IT services through the use of a more traditional “staffing” model, whereby they have access to several contractors, each of whom has their own contract vehicles (many are single award). The company that delivers the best resume wins. As such, many of the contracts they recompete have existing personnel tied to them, so badges would need to be flipped.  

Is there a play here for small business? Small business has two things going for them at NLM and NCBI – 1) in the past few years some of their major partners have been acquired and are no longer small – GRSi (now DLH) and MSC (now part of Guidehouse) are two examples. As such, NLM and NCBI will need to make up these numbers; and 2) NIH has been focused much more heavily of late on supporting small businesses. Wayne Berry is the Specialist that supports NLM. If you are considering responding to this small business sources sought, making him aware of the RFQ details/number and asking for his support would be wise. (see email below.) 

Related Data:  

Sample of Key Potential Points of Contact (current or past): 

  • Delfo Sacomizhquiri, Contract Specialist, NIH –  delfo.sacomizhquiri@nih.gov 
  • Wayne Berry, Small Business Specialist, NIH – Wayne.Berry@hhs.gov
  • Eugene Yaschenko, Chief Technology Officer, Branch Chief of Information Resources, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 
  • Anna Glodek, Senior Project Manager with Guidehouse supporting National Center for Biotechnology Information 
  • Deacon Sweeney, Technical Lead, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 
  • Anatoly Mnev, Director of Software Development, NCBI 
  • Kim Pruitt, Chief, Information Engineering Branch at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 
  • Borys Pierov, DevOps Engineering Manager, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 
  • Kurt McDaniel, Software Project Manager, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 
  • Ievgeniia Radetska, DevOps Tech Lead, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 

Looking for an 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone or SDVOSB to partner with at NIH? Click Here 

You can filter the list by several key indicators, to include socio-economic status, NAICS, Contract vehicle, etc.  

Firms drawing the most attention at NIH 

Included below is a list of the large and small companies we have noted as drawing the most views by Government and industry leaders on the OrangeSlices AI consultant directory since the beginning of 2023 and that bring direct past performance and/or related relationships in support of the National Institutes of Health.  

** An Elev8 GovCon Honoree, noted for a corporate culture that demonstrates excellence, making the company a beacon for talent, for partners, and for clients.        

We cannot and will not speculate here as to the reasons for the increased interest, but whether it is a company evaluating them as a potential partner; a federal acquisition leader doing their due diligence; or a consultant weighing their next job move, this group of companies has been receiving increased interest. 

Please note that the research requestor for this item received a Premium OS AI Opp Segment report including 1) known details about how/if/when/where this contract will be competed; 2) a list of the top companies that are in position to win today (as well as those who have been making key investments and moves of late to position for a win); and 3) a detailed list of the top potential opportunity influencers any potential bidder will want to get to know.  

If you are a firm with capabilities and socio-economic status that might support this effort, comment below to let others know you are interested.  

About OrangeSlices AI  

Developed by a team of government and industry contracting subject matter experts, the OrangeSlices AI data driven platform is a publicly available searchable listing of the top information technology and consulting services contractors doing business with the Federal government today. Driven by a robust and comprehensive set of authoritative and trusted data sources, the OS.ai tool is intended to help government and industry leaders find the right partner to help deliver on the important missions of the Federal government.  

 


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