Systematic Reviews to inform the updated NHMRC Statement on Electronic Cigarettes

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is seeking a Supplier to undertake systematic reviews of the evidence on one or both of two identified topics to inform an updated NHMRC Statement on Electronic Cigarettes.

About

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has provided funding to NHMRC to develop an updated Statement on Electronic Cigarettes (the updated Statement) to replace the 2022 NHMRC CEO Statement on Electronic Cigarettes (the 2022 Statement). The Electronic Cigarettes Advisory Committee (the Committee), in prioritising topic areas for review in the updated Statement, has advised that two new research questions should be answered by systematic review to inform the updated Statement.

Purpose

The aim of the updated NHMRC Statement is to better understand the current evidence relevant to e-cigarettes and their impacts on individual and population health.

Scope

Potential suppliers may choose to quote to conduct one or both systematic reviews. If a supplier chooses to quote for more than one review, they should address how they intend to deliver all of the services within the required timeframe and any associated cost savings.

Systematic Review 1: Health and wellbeing impacts of electronic cigarettes on young people

NHMRC is seeking a Supplier to conduct a systematic review assessing global evidence on the health and wellbeing impacts of young people, including the developmental, psychological, emotional and educational impacts. See the Statement of Requirement (Attachment C) for further information.

Systematic Review 2: Motivators, barriers and enablers for vaping cessation

NHMRC is seeking a Supplier to conduct a mixed-methods systematic review assessing global evidence on the motivators, barriers and enablers for vaping cessation. This will include segregated analysis and presentation of qualitative and quantitative data/studies. See the Statement of Requirement (Attachment C) for further information.

Deliverables for both systematic reviews

The scope includes:

• Deliverable 1: draft research protocol
• Deliverable 2: final research protocol
• Deliverable 3: preliminary results synthesis and summary of findings table for a single outcome
• Deliverable 4: draft systematic review report and draft technical report
• Deliverable 5: final systematic review report and final technical report

Potential suppliers should provide enough detail to ensure NHMRC have a clear understanding of their offer and that all requirements have been addressed. Unclear or contradictory statements may impact upon the assessment of the Response.

Contractor Requirements

For a Potential Supplier's Response to be eligible for consideration, the Potential Supplier's Response must comply with the matters addressed in A.B.4.2 of the Commonwealth ATM Terms.

Conditions for Participation

Potential Suppliers must demonstrate that the proposed team includes the following capability:

• An information scientist or research librarian
• Experience in conducting systematic reviews
• Methodological expertise or demonstrated understanding of research methodology

• Potential Suppliers quoting to conduct the systematic review on vaping cessation must also demonstrate access to content expertise in mixed methods systematic reviews
• Content expertise in electronic cigarettes, smoking and/or nicotine dependence is preferred, but not essential
• All Specified Personnel will be required to provide a completed disclosure of interest form (Attachment A) alongside their Response to the Approach to Market
• Potential Suppliers must be willing for all Specified Personnel to sign a Deed of Confidentiality (Attachment B) prior to commencing work
• NHMRC cannot consider individuals or organisations with links to the tobacco, vaping or electronic cigarettes industry (including links via immediate family members)

Contract Terms and Conditions

• Proposed Start Date: Monday, 2 November 2026
• Contract Term: The Contract will remain in force for a period of 12 months from the date the Contract is entered into
• Contract Extension Option: One period of up to 3 months

Instructions to Tenderers

Responses must be lodged electronically via AusTender before the Closing Time and in accordance with the Response lodgement procedures set out in the ATM documentation and on AusTender. All queries for technical or operational support must be directed to the AusTender Help Desk, with contact details available on the Contact Us page of the AusTender website. The Closing Time will be displayed on the relevant AusTender webpage together with a countdown clock that displays, in real time, the time left until Closing Time (for more information refer to AusTender Terms of Use). For the purpose of determining whether a Response has been lodged before the Closing Time, the countdown clock will be conclusive.

Enquiries

• Contact: Naomi Picker
• Email: tenders@nhmrc.gov.au