Technical & Logistical Support for NIH Laboratory Animal Research (LARC IV)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting contractual support to provide a wide range of technical and support services required for the proper care and use of laboratory animals for NIH animal programs. The NIH is one of the world's largest biomedical research organizations and is the focal point for US Government health research initiatives. It is comprised of 30 different categorical Institutes and Centers (ICs) which conduct research in a variety of scientific disciplines including molecular biology, immunology and infectious disease,hematology and tissue transplantation, genetics, physiology, neurology, virology, bacteriology, pharmacology/toxicology, metabolism, biochemistry, cardiology, opthalmology, dermatology, and dentistry. Twenty-two ICs have laboratory animal programs providing research support for NIH intramural scientists. NIH Laboratory animal programs involve the use of approximately 575,000 square feet of space located primarily in twenty-six buildings on the Bethesda campus and thirteen buildings at the NIH Animal Center in Poolesville, MD. Remote facilities include four leased facilities in Rockville and Gaithersburg and two Government owned facilities in Baltimore, MD. All NIH animal programs and facilities comply with applicable laboratory animal regulations, guidelines and standards, and are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC). The purpose of this acquisition is to provide a wide range of technical and support services required for the proper care, use and humane treatment of laboratory animals to any NIH IC animal program. Functions include: Veterinary medicine, animal care and husbandry, veterinary and research technical support, data management, cage and environment sanitation, routine maintenance of animal care equipment, animal transportation, logistical and clerical support. Support will be provided to projects involving a full range of biomedical research and scientific disciplines. Continuous high quality animal care shall be provided as set forth in the applicable animal welfare regulations, standards and guidelines. Animals must be maintained under carefully controlled conditions to minimize research variables and allow the accurate interpretation of laboratory results. Consequently, it is essential that animal colonies be properly maintained to avoid any situation or condition that might unnecessarily adversely affect animal health and ongoing research. The Contractor shall maintain strict adherence to all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The procurement action will be partially set-aside for small business concerns at the task order level. Multiple, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity task order type contracts are anticipated. The contracts are expected to be awarded for one twelve (12) month base period with four (4) twelve (12) month option periods. Individual task orders containing options are expected. It is anticipated that eighteen (18) task orders will be competed among awardees. Of the eighteen (18), the Contracting Officer reserves thirteen (13) of the task orders for small business concerns. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541940, Size Standard $7.5M, Veterinary Services. Requests for the above solicitation may be requested via telephone (301-435-8447) or email (kathmank@od.nih.gov). Alternatively, the solicitation will be made available on FedBizOpps.