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Contract Opportunity

Subject: Arthritis Research Program Fiscal Year 2024 Stakeholder Request for Information

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS; IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

1.0 DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The Government reserves the right to use any information submitted in public documents or websites. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained. The information which is being requested shall be entered into Survey Monkey; therefore, the Government is unable to protect proprietary/sensitive information. Interested parties shall not submit proprietary and/or sensitive information through Survey Monkey.

2.0 SUBJECT: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) will hold a stakeholders meeting where individuals with relevant expertise and experience will be brought together to identify knowledge gaps, targeted outcomes, and product needs that can advance the state of the science and improve patient care. To expedite the process, the CDMRP is currently requesting information on the identification of knowledge gaps, targeted outcomes, and product needs that can advance the state of the science and improve patient care for individuals diagnosed with arthritis. The CDMRP will select stakeholders who respond to this RFI for invitation to attend the virtual Stakeholders meeting. Response to this RFI does not guarantee an invitation.

3.0 BACKGROUND: Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related diseases that can cause inflammation, swelling, or pain around one or many joints leading to disability. A Peer Reviewed Arthritis Research Program (ATRP) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) is included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 at $10 million (M). The FY24 ATRP will be managed by the CDMRP according to Congressional intent to support research relating to the detrimental impact of arthritis “on all forms of arthritis including osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis”. All CDMRP-funded research must be relevant to Service Members, their Families, Veterans, and/or the American public. The full text for the appropriation supporting the inception of the Arthritis Research Program can be found on page 270 in the House Appropriations Committee on Defense Document. (Retrieved from: https://www.congress.gov/118/crpt/hrpt121/CRPT-118hrpt121.pdf).

The CDMRP will utilize its two-tier review process (http://cdmrp.army.mil/about/2tierRevProcess) to efficiently manage the ATRP. The CDMRP will also hold a virtual ATRP Stakeholders meeting in May 2024 where individuals with relevant expertise and experience will be brought together to identify knowledge gaps, targeted outcomes, and product needs that can advance the state of the science and improve patient care. After the stakeholders meeting, a vision setting meeting will be held to recommend an investment strategy for the FY24 appropriation to answer some of the unmet medical needs, knowledge gaps, and consumer concerns identified during the stakeholders meeting.

4.0 RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS:

See attached Document for Response Instructions. Actual survey can be accessed at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FY24_arthritis_RFI

5.0 CONTACT INFORMATION: Any and all questions related to this RFI shall be directed to Joshua McKean at Joshua.d.mckean3.civ@health.mil. Responses shall be submitted by no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on 28 April 2024.

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