Animal Health & Diagnostic Testing Services

The contract for Animal Health & Diagnostic Testing Services under solicitation number 75N98026Q00366 is issued by the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Logistics and Operations, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, and is aimed at securing commercial laboratory services to support the health monitoring of NIH animal research colonies. The work involves performing serological analyses, PCR assays, bacterial cultures, and confirmatory testing such as Western Blot and IFA on animal sera and tissues to detect symptomatic and subclinical diseases that could compromise research integrity or pose zoonotic risks. Performance is required to be delivered at a primary location in Bethesda, Maryland, with the contractor responsible for picking up samples from designated sites and transporting them to their own facility for testing. Turnaround times are strictly defined: serology results within three working days, PCR within seven, and hematology or blood chemistry within two, with expedited service required during outbreaks. All test data must be submitted electronically to the NIH DVR database and retained electronically for the duration of the contract, with samples stored at –70°C for six months post-testing to enable reanalysis. The contract is structured as a Firm Fixed Price arrangement with a base year running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and includes four one-year options extending through June 30, 2031, with a possible six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8. Proposals will be evaluated using a trade-off approach, with the Technical Proposal and Program Plan carrying the highest weight at 50%, followed by Organizational Experience and Past Performance at 20% each, and Personnel Experience and Availability at 10%. Price is not the determining factor; offers with higher pricing may be selected if superior technical merit or lower performance risk justifies the cost. Key personnel must meet stringent qualifications, including a Ph.D. or DVM with ACLAM board certification and five years of experience for the Project Supervisor, and a bachelor’s degree with one year of supervisory experience for Laboratory Supervisors. The contractor must provide collection supplies, maintain calibrated equipment, follow validated testing methodologies, and implement training programs reviewed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative. While no specific packaging standards like MIL-STD are cited, sample integrity during transport and barcoded traceable labeling are required. The solicitation is open to all responsible offerors with no set-aside, and submissions must be made electronically