AJ11--Research & Development Support Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Announcement to identify potential sources capable of providing Research & Development Support Services for a VA Merit Research Award. This effort supports the development of treatments for Achilles tendon injuries at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. Responses are due by June 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST.
Scope of Work
The required services involve supporting pre-clinical research utilizing a mouse model. Key tasks include:
- Animal Care: Maintaining mouse colonies, breeding, husbandry, and daily health checks in compliance with VA policy (Handbook 1200.7).
- Experimental Procedures: Performing experimental tendon surgeries (unilateral tendon transection, collagenase injections), administering recombinant protein/vehicle treatments, and providing post-operative care.
- Testing & Characterization: Conducting pain behavior testing (von Frey, grip strength, gait testing) and Achilles tendon tissue characterizations (collagen crosslink analysis via HPLC, tensile testing).
- Documentation: Assisting with experimental protocol development, maintaining detailed laboratory records, and communicating results in oral and written forms.
Deliverables include 250 mouse surgeries and post-operative care per year, pain behavior testing on 92 mice per year, and tendon tissue characterizations on 250 mice per year.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Product Service Code: AJ11 (General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Basic Research)
- NAICS Code: 541715
- Period of Performance: One base year with four 12-month option periods.
- Place of Performance: Contractor's Location.
- Government-Furnished Equipment/Information: None.
Submission Requirements
Interested parties must submit a detailed Capability Statement demonstrating their qualifications and ability to perform the described services. General statements of capability are not acceptable. Responses must include:
- Company Name, Address, Point of Contact, Phone, Fax (if applicable), and Email.
- SAM Unique Entity ID, Cage Code, and Tax ID Number.
- Business Type (e.g., SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB, small, large).
- Federal Supply Schedule Contracting # (if applicable).
- General Pricing.
Submission Instructions & Deadline
- Submission Method: Email only to jameel.gordon@va.gov.
- Subject Line: "Sources Sought Notice No. 36C24526Q0550 – Research & Development Support Services."
- Response Deadline: June 2, 2026, by 11:00 AM EST.
Important Notes
This is a Sources Sought Announcement for market research purposes only and is not a solicitation or request for proposals. The Government is not obligated to award a contract based on this notice. Follow-on work may be possible based on research outcomes.