RFI Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) for Pandemic Response Program

The Defense Health Agency is seeking industry input through a Request for Information to assess capabilities for providing full lifecycle vendor-managed inventory support for its Pandemic Program Personal Protective Equipment, beginning with N95 respirators and potentially expanding to surgical masks, gloves, disposable gowns, and pharmaceuticals. This initiative aims to establish a robust supply chain model capable of managing up to nine million N95 respirators under Government-Owned Material arrangements, including procurement, secure and environmentally controlled storage, real-time inventory tracking by lot number and expiration date, shelf-life monitoring, distribution, and replenishment. Vendors must demonstrate the ability to comply with NIOSH certification under 42 CFR Part 84, FDA cGMP, OSHA, and DOT regulations, source materials exclusively from Trade Agreement Act-compliant countries, and provide annual supply chain risk assessments. Response capabilities must include a structured recall management process and a comprehensive end-of-contract drawdown plan for government inventory, with options for buy-back, credit, or transfer to a follow-on contract. Responses are due by 5:00 PM EDT on July 17, 2026, and must be submitted electronically to specified DHA contracting points of contact with a clearly labeled subject line. There is no prescribed format for submissions, and marketing materials will not be reviewed. The initiative is strictly for market research and planning purposes; no contract will be awarded based on this RFI, and the government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in providing information. Performance is expected to originate from Frederick, Maryland, with delivery timelines of 72 hours for continental U.S. locations and 72 hours to the Medical Air Bridge for overseas destinations, followed by an anticipated 10 to 14 days for final OCONUS delivery. All proprietary or sensitive information provided will be handled confidentially and shared only with authorized DHA personnel and support contractors involved in the market research process.