STAA Infant Formula Testing (108969)

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is seeking a qualified laboratory to conduct testing of up to 150 infant formula samples for the presence and concentration of four heavy metals—arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead—along with arsenic speciation to differentiate between organic and inorganic forms. The work is governed by a Statement of Work that requires standardized laboratory reporting for each sample, including detailed descriptions of analytical methods, validation metrics, reproducibility data, and detection limitations. The contract is structured as a Firm Fixed Price arrangement with a ceiling price, and performance is limited to a four-month base period beginning upon award and ending no later than 30 days after sample receipt. The testing must be performed in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation standards, which the vendor must maintain throughout the contract period, and the accreditation must specifically cover all required tests. Proposals are evaluated on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis, with four mandatory pass/fail criteria: valid ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation covering all required tests, an attestation of full SOW compliance, complete pricing for all CLINs, and submission of required documentation. The solicitation requires vendors to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide a Unique Entity ID, CAGE code, and Taxpayer Identification Number, along with certification of company type and, if applicable, ownership status under small business categories. Technical and price quotations must be submitted separately, with all submissions due by June 17, 2026, at 12:00 ET. The Government retains broad inspection rights at contractor premises and may audit testing processes, and accepts deliverables upon submission unless rejected within 60 days. Invoicing must follow strict formatting rules, including itemized descriptions, contract and line item numbers, shipping details, electronic funds transfer information, and taxpayer identification, and is submitted either electronically or as an original with three copies. Contractors are bound by multiple regulatory clauses, including prohibitions on contracting with inverted domestic corporations and Kaspersky Lab, requirements for equal opportunity, labor standards, combating trafficking in persons, Buy American provisions, and compliance with federal contracting rules regarding subcontracting and small business participation. The Contractor’s Representative may oversee progress and inspect services but cannot modify contract terms, and all changes require approval from the GAO Contracting Officer. All offerors must submit documentation confirming their