PEI Microsoft Form

OMB # 0925-0767
Exp., Date 3/31/2027

Path to Excellence and Innovation Initiative
University Application

The Path to Excellence and Innovation (PEI) Initiative is designed to assist Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs) in competing for, securing, and managing contracts with the National Institutes
of Health (NIH). This will be accomplished by strengthening the academic institutions’ contracting
infrastructure and improving collaboration with business partners.

The Applicant
Institution Name:
Institution Address:
Application submitted by:
Title:
Email:
Telephone number:
Are you authorized to commit the institution to a contract: Yes
Alternate Point of Contact:
Title:
Email:
Telephone number:
Eligibility
Within the past five years, has this institution performed as either
Past Performance
a prime or a subcontractor on a federal contract?
Yes

Organizational Capabilities

Provide one contract or subcontract
Agency:
Contract Number:
Please select one or more capabilities that are related to the
NIH mission from the list below.
https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/mission-goals
Biomedical Research and Development
Information Technology
Business and Professional Support Services
Public Health Outreach/Communications and Research
Laboratory Services/Products
Construction Services

NIH Centers

Identify 2 or 3 NIH Institutes and/or Centers with contracts
this university will pursue . Enter in the boxes below.
https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/list-nih-institutes-centers-offices

Institute or Center 1

Institute or Center 2

Institute or Center 3

Management Support

Applicant must submit an official letter from the institution’s
President or President's designee.

Willingness to subcontract

Subcontract means any contract, as defined in FAR subpart 2.1,
entered into by a subcontractor to furnish supplies or services for
performance of the prime contract or a subcontract. It includes,
but is not limited to, purchase orders, and changes and
modifications to purchase orders.
Is this college or university willing to subcontract for the first 3
to 5 opportunities pursued with a designated PEI business
partner?
Yes

Readiness Assessment
Capability Statement
Infrastructure

Does this university have a capability statement? Yes
Which positions are currently in place on your contracts team?
Select all that apply.
Business Development
Contracts Manager
Proposal/Technical Writer
Cost Accounting Manager
Administrative Support

Commitment
Acceptance into the PEI Initiative will require a commitment to participate in infrastructure
development and other activities to obtain the knowledge and resources necessary to
successfully compete for, secure, and manage contracts from the National Institutes of Health.
By checking the box below you are acknowledging that this applicant institution is prepared to
make a commitment to the following:
Devote a minimum of 10 hours per month to PEI activities
Willingness to participate in all PEI infrastructure development activities
Selection of a Business Partner from the PEI Database or bring a preferred Business Partner
Create a joint capability statement with selected Business Partner
Work with Business Partner to create a PEI Business Development Strategy
Meet at least monthly with Business Partner
Willingness to participate in NIH capability briefings as appropriate
Pursue opportunities identified from the PEI database
Willingness to respond to Sources Sought or Solicitations
Willingness to request debriefings for any Solicitations not won
Willingness to work with the PEI Accelerator to upload reports into the PEI database

Supporting Documents Checklist
Please submit these documents along with the university’s application to the PEI Initiative.
Capability Statement
Letter from the institution’s President or President's designee.

Submission Deadline: October 20, 2025
Email completed application and supporting documents to: PEI@nih.gov
For questions about the program, contact: the NIH Small Business Programs Office: 301-451-3861

Burden Statement
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 45 minutes per contract or grant entered,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this
burden, to: NIH, Project Clearance Branch, 6705 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7974, Bethesda, MD 20892-7974, ATTN: PRA
(0925-0767*). Do not return the completed form to this address.