Animal Care and Laboratory Support Services to the Vaccine Research Center
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 National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRC), is soliciting proposals for Animal Care and Laboratory Support Services. This contract requires qualified personnel, materials, equipment, and facilities for the housing and care of Non-Human Primates (NHPs) to support VRC research in developing vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases. The contract may also support broader NIAID research, including rapid responses to public health emergencies. Proposals are due May 15, 2026.
Scope of Work
- Provide housing, feed, veterinary care, and technical service support for 500 NHPs annually, with options to increase to 800 NHPs.
- Support VRC investigators in handling and administering BSL-2 and BSL-3 infectious agents into NHPs.
- Offer scientific and technical expertise for animal modeling experimentation.
- Maintain animal health records, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and a Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) program.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, DOT, and IATA for hazardous materials.
- Submit various reports, including Monthly Progress, Final, FCOI, and Section 508 Annual Reports.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Anticipated to be a multiple-year Cost-Reimbursement type, level of effort/term contract.
- Period of Performance: A 7-year potential duration, including a Base Period from February 15, 2027, to February 14, 2028, and six one-year option periods.
- Level of Effort: Estimated at 8 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) for the base and each option period.
- Set-Aside: Not set-aside for small business.
- Place of Performance: Bethesda, MD.
- Product/Service Code: AN11 (Health R&D Services; Health Care Services; Basic Research).
Submission & Evaluation
- Proposal Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026, by 3:00 PM local time (extended by Amendment 1).
- Questions Deadline: April 15, 2026, by 3:00 PM local time.
- Proposals must be submitted electronically via the eCPS website.
- Evaluation will be based on technical, cost, and past performance factors.
- Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).
- Receipt of Amendment 1 must be acknowledged in proposals.
Additional Notes
This solicitation includes numerous attachments with detailed instructions for technical and business proposals, forms, and other relevant information. Key personnel requirements are stringent, and compliance with Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals is mandatory. Specific requirements for handling select biological agents/toxins and highly pathogenic agents are also detailed.