Defense Health Agency Seeks Research Review Contractors
The agency is soliciting bids for a multi-year contract to manage the evaluation of biomedical research grant applications.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Life Sciences
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The Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity has issued a solicitation for a new multiple-award contract to support the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The successful bidder will manage the Biomedical Research Application Portal and facilitate scientific merit reviews.
Why it matters
This contract is essential for the efficient processing and scientific evaluation of medical research applications funded through the Defense Health Agency. It ensures that the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs maintain rigorous standards for peer review and compliance.
The solicitation is classified under NAICS code 813920, with the previous five-year contract held by General Dynamics Information Technology valued at $171 million. The new contract supports the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
The players
Defense Health Agency
This agency provides health support to the U.S. Armed Forces and manages medical research programs.
Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
This organization serves as the contracting arm for the Defense Health Agency for specialized medical research support.
General Dynamics Information Technology
This company provides technology and professional services and held the previous five-year support contract.
The details
The contract requires the awardee to manage the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal, including conducting compliance checks on all incoming submissions. Task orders for scientific merit peer reviews will be distributed to awardees through a fair-opportunity process.
Timeline
January 2022: General Dynamics Information Technology secured the previous contract.
October 19, 2026: The solicitation notice was posted to SAM.gov.
December 2, 2026: Deadline for prospective bidders to respond to the solicitation.
December 3, 2026: Leaders will share fiscal 2027 contracting priorities at the 2026 Healthcare Summit.
The Big Picture
The recent suspension of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Phase II requirements by the Department of War significantly alters the compliance landscape for current federal contract bidders. This move reflects a shift in how the military manages administrative burdens within its acquisition ecosystem.
The outcome of this contract directly impacts the efficiency and speed at which federal medical research grants are processed and reviewed. Researchers and institutions relying on funding from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs may see changes in how their applications are handled.
The takeaway
This solicitation highlights the administrative scale required to maintain federal medical research initiatives. Prospective bidders should ensure strict adherence to the Solicitation Module protocols within the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment to remain eligible.
What happens next
The deadline for potential contractors to submit proposals through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment is December 2, 2026. Agency leaders are also scheduled to outline fiscal 2027 contracting priorities on December 3, 2026, at the 2026 Healthcare Summit.
Further reading
For more information on the research landscape, visit the United States Life Sciences section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Executive Gov.
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