Intent to Sole Source - Fertility Preservation Lab Services

The National Institutes of Health intends to sole source a service contract for fertility preservation laboratory services to Shady Grove Fertility at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, which permits noncompetitive procurement when only one responsible source exists and no other supply or service will satisfy agency requirements. The requirement stems from the NIH’s lack of in-house capability to perform oocyte cryopreservation and long-term storage, necessitating an ongoing partnership with WRNNMC that relies on Shady Grove’s specialized infrastructure, including a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, cryopreservation equipment, 24/7 monitoring and alarm systems, and established patient care protocols. This arrangement ensures continuity of clinical care and data integrity for NIH patients, making competition infeasible due to proprietary historical records and the unique, entrenched operational relationship already in place. The acquisition falls under NAICS code 621410 and is not subject to any set-aside provisions. The Notice of Intent does not solicit competitive proposals but invites all responsible sources to submit a capability statement by May 29, 2026, via email to Valerie Gregorio at NIH, with the subject line referencing solicitation NOI-OLAO-CC-26-002539. Responses will be considered to support the government’s determination not to compete the requirement, though the decision remains entirely at the government’s discretion. Performance will occur on-site at WRNNMC, with the contractor responsible for maintaining all equipment, staffing certified personnel, and ensuring uninterrupted storage of oocytes until directed release or disposal by the patient or heir. No contract value, pricing details, or specific technical specifications for packaging, labeling, or preservation protocols are provided, and no formal contract clauses, evaluation factors, or administrative oversight personnel are named beyond the designated contact point. The sole source justification is further supported by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) due to urgent need and the unique, non-replicable nature of the service, with no market research conducted or competition barriers addressed, since continuity of care and patient data preservation are deemed paramount and irreplaceable.