Support of the Research Effort to Evaluate the Toxic and Carcinogenic Potential of Test Agents in Laboratory Animals for the NTP - Contract Extension

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The purpose of this announcement is to notify all interested parties that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) intends to extend Contract HHSN273201400015C with Battelle Memorial Institute on a sole-source basis pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The objective is to include and exercise FAR Clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, for an additional six (6) months. This extension will ensure continuation of mission critical research while the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) procurement team continues the to pursue the re-competition of these services under a new cost reimbursement contract. This notice is being published by NIEHS in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.201 and 5.204 requiring notice of a proposed contract action. This is NOT a request for competitive proposals. The statutory authority for this sole source action is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Award is subject to approval of the Justification and Approval for Sole Source (J&A). BACKGROUND The current contractor provides fundamental support and assistance for ongoing research efforts by conducting short-term and long-term studies of a variety of test agents by various routes of exposure for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT). Battelle's specialized facilities, capabilities, and expertise are critical to meet DTT program needs. Some of the specific services provided by Battelle under this contract include: 1) prestart chemistry for inhalation exposure studies; 2) in vivo rodent studies by multiple routes of exposure (e.g., inhalation, oral gavage, feed and drinking water) and 3) analysis of samples collected from in vivo studies, including for histopathology, genomic sequencing. The project is designed to study diverse agents that may include: environmental chemicals; chemicals used in manufacturing or industrial settings; naturally occurring chemicals; food additives, preservatives, colorants or flavorings; pharmaceuticals, botanically- and non-botanically-based dietary supplements; herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides; ingredients found in a wide variety of consumer products including soaps, lotions, perfumes and cosmetics; chemicals used in detergents and cleaners, etc.; naturally occurring and synthetic fibers, nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes; metals; plasticizers; flame retardants; mold or mold components; or other agents not specified at this time. Results of this research are used to make decisions regarding the protection of public health. The research supports both DTT's mission and NIEHS overall mission and goals in conducting state-of-the-art scientific research in environmental health science. Battelle Memorial Institute is considered the only contractor has a comprehensive understanding of the current technologies used at NIEHS and can meet the NIEHS and DTT's needs during the six-month extension. Award to another source during the same period of performance would result in substantial disruption, unnecessary costs to the Government, and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements and could not be expected to be recovered through competition. By utilizing the incumbent contractor for this sole source action, the NIEHS can continue day-to-day operations and avoid disruptions to mission essential work. This action will extend the period of performance of the current contract, HHSN273201400015C for six (6) months. The period of performance will be from April 15, 2024 through October 15, 2024. The extension will increase the contract value accordingly. The current contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute is considered the only contractor that can meet the NIEHS and DDT's needs given the short period of performance for the extension. Notwithstanding the stated intent, if firms believe they can fully meet the Government's requirement they may submit a written capabilities statement (NOT TO EXCEED 3 PAGES). The capabilities statement must contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement and must be received by the response date listed in this posting. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. NIEHS will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice. Questions regarding this notice can be sent via email to Kristina Filardo at filardok@niehs.nih.gov. ONLY EMAIL RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Thank you for your interest in NIEHS procurements.