I-Corps Program at the National Cancer Institute.

Active

Contract Opportunity

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), plans to procure, on a sole source basis, support for the I-Corps at NCI from:

National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance, Inc. (dba.VentureWell)

100 Venture Way

Hadley, MA 01035

The response close date of the notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.501(a) and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services and the business size standard is $19.5M.

National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance, Inc., (dba. VentureWell), has over 25 years of experience in helping scientists bring early-stage technologies to the marketplace, which aligns with the goal of NCI’s I-Corps Program. Since 2014, they have collaborated with the NIH on I-Corps initiatives, including those at NIH SEED and NCATS, and have worked specifically with NCI on these programs, with the most recent program concluding earlier this year. Additionally, VentureWell has been a key partner in the NSF’s I-Corps program for over 13 years, including managing the National Innovation Network which brings together federal agencies, universities, and other stakeholders that are a key component of this early entrepreneurial engine. VentureWell has contributed to bringing technological innovations to millions of people across the U.S. and more than 90 countries. Beyond assisting innovators, they are innovators themselves, demonstrating flexibility and openness to new ideas.

VentureWell is an ideal organization to manage the I-Corps program for several key reasons:

Cross-Agency Consistency: VentureWell has consistently managed I-Corps programs not only for the NSF but also for other federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Their involvement across agencies ensures that the training and approach are consistent and high-quality, while still being tailored to the unique needs of each federal organization. This consistency is crucial to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the program across different sectors. Furthermore, the consistency also means that in certain instances, the participants from the NSF I-Corps program as well as the broader NIH I-Corps program (cohort 1 and 2) can forego the NIH I-Corps program- which is a general requirement for the Small Business Transition Grant Awardees as well as Concept Award Awardees. There are currently 3 cohorts at NIH, 2 that are NIH-wide and the third cohort is NCI-specific. More information on the NIH wide program, which is also run by VentureWell is available here (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-25-212.html).

Specialized Training Infrastructure: VentureWell operates a dedicated instructor training program specifically for the NIH I-Corps instructors. This ensures that those leading the program are well-versed in both the broader I-Corps methodology and the specific needs of NIH awardees. Their ability to consistently train and manage a robust network of qualified instructors guarantees high-quality, targeted instruction.

Comprehensive Support and Networking: Beyond running the core program, VentureWell manages the National Innovation Network, which brings together university innovators and federal agencies to share insights, experiences, and performance metrics. This conference fosters collaboration, feedback, and continual improvement of the I-Corps program. It also highlights VentureWell’s commitment to supporting the broader innovation ecosystem.

In summary, VentureWell’s extensive experience, proven consistency across agencies, specialized training capabilities, and commitment to fostering innovation networks make it the ideal partner to lead and manage the I-Corps program.

Given VentureWell’s experience working with NCI on the I-Corps program, their collaborative approach, and deep understanding of the scientific sector, they are well-positioned to serve as a capable vendor. Their work on the pilot program and their capability statement in response to the Pre-solicitation notice demonstrate their understanding of NCI SBIR’s needs and readiness to deliver the required services effectively.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party, especially a small business, believes it can meet the Government’s needs, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quote for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient details to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Contract Specialist, Elizabeth Vitucci, at elizabeth.tucker@nih.gov no later than 03:00 P.M. EST on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 (11/20/24). A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government reserves the right to use the information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. To receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.GOV. Please reference the notice number 75N91025Q00003 on all correspondence.

***Please reference attached Statement of Work for more details pertaining to the nature of the work to be performed.***

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