AN13--SPINAL PRIMATE STUDY -WO/WD, BONLY POP 5/25/2026 - 5/24/2027
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 qualified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs), 8(a), HubZone, and other Small Businesses capable of providing a "SPINAL PRIMATE STUDY" service. This effort supports the VA San Diego Health Care System. Responses are due by April 23, 2026, at 16:00 MST.
Scope of Work
The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of intraparenchymal spinal administration of H9-scNSC in a cervical hemicontusion spinal cord injury model in nonhuman primates (NHPs). This contract will NOT support in-life studies but focuses solely on post-mortem analysis of tissues collected from NHPs, adhering to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines (21 CFR Part 58).
Key activities include:
- Tissue processing, blocking, and sectioning of spinal cords, brains, and medulla oblongata.
- Histological staining (H&E and human-specific STEM121) of CNS tissues.
- Sectioning and staining of systemic tissues (for 3-month cohort only).
- Digital whole slide imaging of specific tissues.
- Histopathologic analysis by an ACVP-certified Anatomic Veterinary Pathologist.
- Production of a formal pathology report and data in Provantis.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought
- NAICS Code: 541380 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology))
- Set-Aside: Primarily Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Other set-asides or full and open competition may be considered if responses are inadequate.
- Estimated Value: $19 Million (for NAICS code 541380, not necessarily this specific contract).
- Period of Performance: Anticipated from May 25, 2026, to May 24, 2027 (based on title).
- Response Due: April 23, 2026, no later than 16:00 MST.
- Published Date: April 16, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Department of Veteran Affairs VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161.
Submission & Evaluation
Interested parties must submit their responses via email to jessica.brooks3@va.gov, marked Attn: Jessica Brooks, Contract Specialist. Submissions must include:
- Company name, address, point of contact, phone, fax, email.
- DUNS number, Cage Code, Tax ID Number.
- Type of small business (e.g., SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), HubZone).
- A capability statement detailing qualifications and ability to perform the required work.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
This is a Sources Sought for SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), HubZone, and other Small Businesses. Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov. SDVOSBs/VOSBs must also be registered with the VA Center for Dynamic Small Business Search (https://dsbs.sba.gov/).
Notes
This is a Sources Sought Announcement ONLY for market research purposes; it is not a solicitation or request for proposals. The government is not obligated to award a contract and will not reimburse costs associated with responding. No sub-contracting opportunities are anticipated.