Human Cadavers, associated logistics and final disposition of cadavers for the GME Residency Program at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Statement of Work (SOW)

To provide a comprehensive supply of human cadavers and associated support services to the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) for physician and residency programs, ensuring continued ACGME accreditation and military medical readiness.

• Provide whole-body ethanol-preserved cadavers (suitable for vascular flushing/injection) and formaldehyde-embalmed cadavers.

• Include all associated logistics: 24/7 technical support, delivery, pick-up, and management of regulatory compliance for transport.

• Manage final disposition of remains, including cremation and return of ashes.

• Ethanol-preserved cadavers: 15-20% ethanol concentration, unfrozen, suitable for immediate use, room temperature storage.

• Formaldehyde-embalmed cadavers: 20-37% formaldehyde concentration, fully embalmed for 6 months of dissection, refrigeration during transport (approx. 40°F).

• Replacement cadaver within 1 week if unsuitable or compromised.

• Contractor responsible for all out-of-state transit permits and documentation.

• Delivery Period: July 1, 2026 – September 30, 2028 (Base Year + 2 Option Years).

• Place of Performance: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Bioskills Cadaver Lab, Portsmouth, VA 23708.

• Contractor personnel require base access via DBIDS.

• Full compliance with all applicable legal, ethical, and health regulations for handling human remains.

• Strict confidentiality and dignity of donors must be maintained.

• Services not required on Federal holidays.

• Contractor must maintain adequate workforce for uninterrupted performance during government operating hours (Monday-Friday, 0700-1530).

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) for the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) BioSkills Department to identify potential sources for Human Cadavers, associated logistics, and final disposition services. The current contract expires on June 30, 2026. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. No offers will be accepted, and responses do not form a binding contract.

The requirement includes:

• Whole Body Ethanol-Preserved Human Cadavers
• Whole Body Formaldehyde-Embalmed Human Cadavers
• Replacement cadavers
• All associated logistics
• Final disposition of all cadavers

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Bioskills Cadaver Lab, Portsmouth, VA 23708.

Responses are due by May 13, 2026, by 5 pm EST and must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format to Ms. Lisa Wilk (lisa.c.wilk.civ@health.mil) and Ms. Carol Uebelacker (carol.e.ubelacker.civ@health.mil).

Submissions must include:

• A Cover Page (1 page) with title, organization, points of contact, and CAGE Code.

• A Capabilities Statement addressing:

  • Understanding and ability to perform the scope in the DRAFT SOW.
  • Experience with similar work.
  • Existing contract vehicles (if any).
  • Whether services are offered to the general public under similar terms.

• This is an RFI, not a solicitation. Do not request a copy of a solicitation.

• No phone calls will be accepted.

• Potential Offerors are responsible for monitoring for future solicitations.

• A DRAFT Statement of Work (SOW) is available, with updates regarding Ethanol and Formaldehyde concentrations.

• NAICS Code: 621991 (Blood and Organ Banks)

• PSC Code: 6555 (Human Tissue and Cadavers)

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide a comprehensive supply of human cadavers and associated support services to the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) for physician and residency programs, ensuring compliance with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements and supporting military medical readiness.

• Provide whole-body ethanol-preserved cadavers suitable for vascular flushing/injection and whole-body formaldehyde-embalmed cadavers.

• Services include supply, delivery, and management of human cadavers.

• Offer 24/7 technical support.

• Manage all regulatory compliance for transport.

• Handle final disposition of remains, including cremation and return of ashes.

• Ethanol-preserved cadavers must be delivered unfrozen, suitable for immediate use, with high tissue viability, and capable of room temperature storage.

• Formaldehyde-embalmed cadavers must be fully arterially embalmed for dissection longevity of 6 months.

• Replacements for unsuitable or compromised specimens must be provided within one week of notification.

• Delivery Period: July 1, 2026 – September 30, 2028 (Base Year and two Option Years).

• Place of Performance: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA.

• Contractor personnel must obtain base access via DBIDS.

• Contractor must demonstrate full compliance with all applicable legal, ethical, and health regulations for handling human remains.

• Strict confidentiality and dignity of donors must be maintained.

• Contractor is responsible for all out-of-state transit permits and documentation.

• Contractor personnel must identify themselves as contractor support staff.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks to identify potential sources capable of providing human cadavers, associated logistics, and final disposition services for the Defense Health Agency (DHA) at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP). The government is also assessing if these supplies are commercial in nature. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. No offers will be accepted, and no contract will be formed based on responses.

The current contract for these services expires on June 30, 2026. The requirement includes Whole Body Ethanol-Preserved Human Cadavers, Whole Body Formaldehyde-Embalmed Human Cadavers, all associated logistics, and final disposition.

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA 23708 (Bioskills Cadaver Lab).

• NAICS: 621991 (Blood and Organ Banks)
• PSC: 6555 (Human Tissue and Cadavers)

Responses must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format by May 13, 2026, 5:00 PM EST.

Required Content:

• Cover Page (1 page): Title, Organization, POC information (name, address, phone, email), CAGE Code.

• Capabilities Statement: Must address:

  • Understanding and ability to perform the scope detailed in the DRAFT SOW.
  • Experience with similar work.
  • Existing contract vehicles (e.g., GSA schedule).
  • Whether services are offered to the general public under similar terms.

• Ms. Lisa Wilk: lisa.c.wilk.civ@health.mil

• Ms. Carol Uebelacker: carol.e.ubelacker.civ@health.mil

• No solicitation currently exists; do not request a copy.

• No phone calls will be accepted.

• Potential Offerors are responsible for monitoring for future solicitation releases.

• All expenses for responding are the responder's responsibility.

• Proprietary information will be handled accordingly.

• Responses will not be returned.

• Questions regarding future RFPs will not be entertained at this time.