Notice of Intent to Sole Source - NIEHS Support Services for Epidemiology - Contract HHSN273201600003I- Extension of Ordering Period for IDIQ Contract and Increase to IDIQ Ceiling
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 Institute of Environmental Health Services (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract Modification to Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. (SSS), DLH, LLC. This modification is for Support Services for Epidemiology under existing IDIQ contract HHSN273201600003I. The purpose is to extend the ordering period and increase the IDIQ ceiling to ensure continuity of mission-critical research while a new full and open competition is pursued. This is not a solicitation.
Scope of Work
The modification will extend the contract for 24 months (June 29, 2026, to June 29, 2028) and increase the IDIQ ceiling by $20,000,000.00, raising the total to $132,000,000.00. The services provided by DLH, LLC are critical for the NIEHS Epidemiology Branch and include:
- Research and managerial/programmatic support
- IT and regulatory infrastructure
- Epidemiological studies, data management, and statistical support
- Support for long-running studies and PI-directed analyses
- Management of historical study data, biospecimens, databases, and laboratory systems
- Operation of a secure computing environment and biorepository freezers
- On-site laboratory space, IRB submissions, and documentation of scientific decisions
- Ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and responding to public health emergencies.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Modification
- Current Contractor: Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. (SSS), DLH, LLC
- Extension Period: June 29, 2026, to June 29, 2028 (24 months)
- Ceiling Increase: $20,000,000.00 (New Ceiling: $132,000,000.00)
- Product Service Code: AJ11 (General Science And Technology R&D Services)
- Place of Performance: Silver Spring, MD, United States
- Capabilities Statement Due: March 4, 2026, 4:00 p.m. EST
- Published Date: February 17, 2026
Eligibility / Set-Aside
This action is being pursued on a sole source basis under the authority of 41 U.S.C. §3304(a)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, citing only one responsible source. There is no set-aside designation for this specific modification.
Submission & Evaluation
This is not a solicitation. However, interested parties who believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit a capabilities statement with sufficient documentation. This information will be used for planning and market research to determine if competition is advantageous. The government is not obligated to award a contract based on these responses. Submissions should be emailed to sarah.bank@nih.gov and lisa.schaupp@nih.gov.
Additional Notes
The extension is necessary to prevent a lapse in critical services essential to the NIEHS Epidemiology Branch and to allow the NIH procurement team to complete the re-competition process for these services under a new full and open contract. Transitioning to a new contractor at this time would cause significant disruptions and risks to public health and ongoing research.