A--Mouse Models for Down Syndrome

The National Institutes of Health, through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, is seeking qualified small businesses to establish and operate a centralized repository for maintaining, breeding, and distributing genetically defined mouse models of Down syndrome for biomedical research. The initiative focuses on sustaining established strains such as Ts65Dn, Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, and Ts66Yah, with a requirement to maintain minimum breeding colonies of at least 30 pairs per strain to ensure consistent availability of mice, particularly females. The contractor is responsible for comprehensive care including pathogen-free facility management, periodic health screening, fertility assessments, phenotypic characterization using standardized neurobehavioral and clinical protocols, cryopreservation and embryo implantation, and dissemination of detailed strain information to the scientific community. Approximately 75–80% of distributed mice will be provided at no cost to federally funded investigators, with recipients covering only shipping and handling fees. The program includes quarterly meetings of a Scientific Advisory Board to guide operational priorities and ensure alignment with research needs, alongside publicization of genotyping, husbandry, and phenotypic data to maximize accessibility and utility. The anticipated contract is structured as a cost-reimbursement award with a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, potentially spanning five years, with an expected performance start date of September 25, 2026. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management, submit a detailed capability statement in PDF format demonstrating experience with partial trisomy mouse models, and provide resumes of proposed key personnel including the Principal Investigator. Evaluation is based on the ability to execute the eight core responsibilities outlined in the solicitation, though no explicit numerical weights or scoring criteria are provided. While the document does not specify pricing, delivery terms, or packaging standards, it requires adherence to NIH distribution protocols, validated genotyping methods, and documented SOPs for health monitoring and phenotyping. Submission of responses to the sources sought notice was due by March 19, 2026, with the formal solicitation expected to be issued in April 2026 through SAM.gov and closed by June 1, 2026. The contract will be administered from the NICHD office in Bethesda, Maryland, with Gannon White serving as the primary contracting officer and Gisele Beaudoin as the contract specialist. Only small business entities, including those designated as small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, veteran