Bid guide
How to bid on NCI Oncology Clinical Trial System Management and Support for HHS
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is seeking information from small businesses to support its oncology clinical trial enterprise systems. This work involves maintaining, enhancing, and modernizing a suite of integrated enterprise applications known as CTEP-ESYS, which are critical for managing cancer treatment clinical trials.
The NCI needs support for various technical areas including application operations, cloud migration, clinical trial informatics, system integration, data and AI/ML support, cybersecurity, and user support. This is an opportunity for technology firms to potentially provide services for a mission-critical system that supports cancer research and treatment.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This is a Request for Information (RFI) or Sources Sought notice, not a request for proposals. The deadline for responses is September 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. At this time, the NCI will collect all submitted information to assess the capabilities of small businesses.
The information gathered will help the government determine the appropriate acquisition method for a future solicitation, including whether a small business set-aside is possible. The anticipated period of performance for the eventual award is July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2032, including options, with one expected award.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for small businesses specializing in Computer Systems Design Services, under NAICS code 541512, with a small business size standard of $34 million. The NCI is specifically looking for firms capable of providing enterprise-level informatics, application development, modernization, and operational support.
Firms with experience in supporting complex biomedical, clinical research, healthcare, regulatory, and clinical trial operations are particularly well-suited. This includes expertise in cloud modernization, DevSecOps, data management, AI/ML capabilities, and maintaining mission-critical systems without disruption.
How to respond
To access the opportunity, you will need to click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid.
You may need a free account to view any associated documents, though this is not always required for every bid. Review all available documents to understand the full scope of information requested by the NCI.
Practical tips for a competitive response
When responding to a Sources Sought notice, clearly demonstrate your firm's specific capabilities and experience relevant to the NCI's needs. Highlight past performance with similar enterprise-level informatics, application modernization, and operational support projects, especially those involving clinical trials or biomedical research.
Address each technical consideration mentioned, such as supporting integrated custom applications, cloud modernization, DevSecOps, and AI-assisted capabilities within enterprise workflows. Provide concrete examples of how your firm has successfully managed mission-critical operations and modernized legacy components without service disruption. Emphasize your ability to support security, privacy, and compliance for federal information systems.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from National Institutes of Health; the original posting controls.