RAPID VI

REAL-WORLD APPLICATION FOR INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT VI (RAPID VI)

Draft RFP #: FDA-SSN-75F40125Q00192
Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Contracting Office: FDA Office of Acquisition and Grants Services
Contract Type: BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement)
Contract Ceiling: $35,000,000
NAICS Code: 541512 – Computer Systems Design Services
Business Pools: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
Expected Release Date: August 2025 (Deltek)
Link to Draft RFP / Opportunity: View on SAM.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The RAPID VI BPA is the FDA’s flagship vehicle for advancing regulatory science through real-time data, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based infrastructure. This program supports mission-critical FDA decision-making across drug safety, medical product surveillance, and clinical data review.

With a $35M ceiling, RAPID VI provides a sandbox and operational environment for deploying next-gen analytics, prototyping AI/ML tools, and managing integrated data platforms. The opportunity aligns with federal health priorities in modernizing review processes and strengthening AI governance and scalability.

📄 View Draft RFP on SAM.gov
📰 FDA’s RAPID AI Platform Strategy Evolves with RAPID VI

rTurner Consulting is actively supporting capture strategies for clients aiming to participate. Contact us to get started with teaming, solutioning, or proposal development.

CORE SCOPE AREAS

The government seeks industry solutions to deliver the following capabilities:

●    AI/ML and Generative AI Development
●    Cloud-native and Multi-Cloud DevSecOps
●    Human-Centered Design (HCD)
●    Advanced Data Integration & Data Mesh Architecture
●    Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs)
●    Rapid Prototyping and Regulatory Analytics Tooling
●    Real-Time Clinical Trial Data Infrastructure
●    Maintenance and Enhancement of AI Sandbox and Production Environments

Tech Stack Considerations:
Open Source, COTS, Hybrid Cloud (AWS, Azure), Containerized Workloads, Appian, R-Studio, Tableau, Jupyter, Qlik, HuggingFace, GPU Clusters

EVALUATION OR SELF-SCORING CRITERIA (IF APPLICABLE)

Evaluation criteria

●    Experience in prototyping & deploying AI/ML in cloud environments
●    Past performance in regulated or health IT environments
●    Capability in LLMs, NLP, and data lake infrastructure
●    Agile software development metrics and DevSecOps practices
●    Maintenance and operational readiness for FDA platforms

Mandatory Technical Domains or Task Orders

●    Platform/System Architecture
●    Software Development
●    Data Engineering and Analytics
●    AI/ML Tooling
●    Cybersecurity & Risk Management
●    Program Management & Governance

Additional Points Criteria

●    Facility Clearance (if required for secure data handling)
●    Certifications: CMMI Level 3+, ISO 27001, 9001, etc.
●    SBIR/OTA experience and FDA past performance preferred
●    Peak load scalability and cloud-agnostic solutions

CAPTURE STRATEGY TIPS

Actionable Recommendations

●    Self-assess team capabilities aligned with RAPID VI technical areas
●    Engage early for teaming or subcontracting opportunities
●    Ensure resumes and LOEs for qualified AI/Cloud/DevSecOps experts
●    Align past performance with tasks like sandbox support, AI model dev, FDA environments
●    Build validated demos or work samples in regulatory science/health IT
●    Pre-position certifications or security credentials (especially for cloud/AI ops)

Ideal Prime or Partner Profile

●    Proven performance in AI/ML, NLP, and cloud-native environments
●    Experience with federal health agencies (FDA, NIH, CDC)
●    Ability to prototype and deploy in regulated data environments
●    Demonstrated experience in rapid tool delivery and multi-cloud scaling
●    Strong documentation, compliance, and DevSecOps maturity

TIMELINE & MILESTONES

Stay alert for updates—we’ll keep you posted as the opportunity evolves.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE

FPDSplus is our free GovCon procurement data search and analytics tool. It is FREE to use. Just register for an account and start building charts and graphs!

Top Vendors by Category (via FPDS / FPDSplus)

●    TOP OTSBs (HHS, last 5 years)

Source: FPDS Chart 1: Most successful Vendors within an Agency

●    TOP VENDORS with $10M to $50M contracts at HHS

Source: FPDS Chart 2: Teaming partners based on Agency prime contracts

●    TOP SB VENDORS at HHS  over the last five years

Source: FPDS Chart 3: Successful Vendors within an Agency based on contract totals

🔗 Visit FPDSplus Dashboard
Use it to generate charts by agency, NAICS, award size, and more.

HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU

At rTurner Consulting, we help GovCon firms win complex technical opportunities. Our services include:

●    Strategic teaming and matchmaking
●    Proposal development and writing
●    Self-scoring analysis and improvement
●    Technical solutioning with DoD SMEs
●    Capture coaching and readiness reviews

📬 Contact Us | 📞 Schedule a Call | 💬 Live Chat

RESOURCES & LINKS

●    SAM.gov Opportunity Posting
●    FDA RAPID VI Draft SOW PDF
●    FPDS Contract History (Incumbent)
●    SBIR.gov Innovation Portal

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