Animal Feed and Bedding Supplies

The National Institutes of Health, through the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare under the Department of Health and Human Services, is seeking information from small business vendors to support an upcoming indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity requirements-type acquisition for animal feed, bedding, enrichment, and housing supplies. This procurement is specifically designated as a small business set-aside under NAICS code 311119 and is intended to serve rodent colonies at the NIH Building 35/35A Shared Animal Facility and the NINDS rodent colonies in Building 10 ACRF, both located in Bethesda, Maryland. The acquisition mandates the exclusive use of brand-name products, including specific lines from Purina, Clear H2O, Ancare, Datesand, Shepherd Specialty Papers, The Anderson's Inc., and Innovive, to ensure compliance with rigorous research protocols and animal welfare standards. Minimum and maximum quantity ranges are provided for key items such as LabDiet 5L8F, LabDiet 5R31, DietGel 76A, and others, though unit prices and total contract value are not disclosed, as this is a sources-sought notice and not a formal solicitation. Vendors must be certified small businesses, and the government is actively seeking responses from 8(a) firms, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Woman-Owned Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. Responses must include the vendor’s name, address, UEI number, point of contact details, business size and type as defined by the Small Business Administration, and documentation of technical qualifications related to the supply of laboratory animal nutrition and husbandry products. Quality control is critical, with particular emphasis on pest and mold prevention, and timely delivery is considered imperative. The government may award up to two contracts to vendors capable of supplying at least four of the required items if doing so provides best value. The response deadline is June 12, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. EST, and all submissions must be directed to the primary point of contact, Luz Casey, at [email hidden]. Packaging, inspection procedures, contract administration, and payment terms are not specified at this stage, as the notice is solely for market research to identify capable vendors prior to formal solicitation.