Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Board

Background

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to secure a contractor to provide scientific review and administrative organization for the Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Board (KSCHIRB). The goal of this contract is to facilitate the review of grant proposals from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, ensuring that funding decisions are based on thorough evaluations by leading researchers in spinal cord and head injuries.

Work Details

The contractor will be responsible for: 1. Providing grant review and administrative organization for grant proposal applications to KSCHIRB. 2. Assisting KSCHIRB in establishing funding mechanisms for spinal cord and head injury research. 3. Recruiting a peer review Study Section of experts in spinal cord and head injury trauma. 4. Conducting annual peer review meetings to evaluate grant applications from UK and UofL faculties. 5. Making recommendations regarding grant funding applications, including collating voting results and calculating final priority scores. 6. Negotiating contracts between KSCHIRB and universities receiving grants. 7. Maintaining records as required by KRS 211.502(6), including copies of grant applications, recommendations, determinations, and progress reports by December 1st annually. 8. Providing up to 40 consultations with KSCHIRB members as needed throughout the contract period.

Period of Performance

The initial term of the contract is anticipated to be from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with options for two additional two-year renewals.

Place of Performance

The services will primarily be performed in Kentucky, specifically involving interactions with the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Louisville (UofL).

Bidder Requirements

Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience in NIH Research Protocols as a funded investigator and five years as an NIH Study Section member. They must also be regularly engaged in providing grant review services for at least one year prior to submission.