Positive Pressure Suits

SOL #: SS-75N98026Q00250Sources Sought

Overview

Buyer

Health And Human Services

National Institutes Of Health

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OLAO

BETHESDA, MD, 20892, United States

Place of Performance

Bethesda, MD

NAICS

Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (315990)

PSC

Clothing, Special Purpose (8415)

Set Aside

Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5) (SBA)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/5035bdb4c4c643cdaf3658646e556b74/view

Timeline

Posted

Apr 23, 2026

Last Updated

May 8, 2026

Response Deadline

May 15, 2026, 5:00 PM

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) is conducting a Sources Sought to identify qualified small business sources for Bio-Safety Level 4 (BSL-4) positive pressure suits. These suits are essential for researcher safety in high containment laboratories and require specific technical capabilities. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity. Responses are due May 15, 2026.

Scope of Work

NIH requires BSL-4 positive pressure suits for periodic replacement due to wear from chemical showers and daily use. Key requirements include:

Material: Resistant to daily quaternary virucidal chemical showers.
Filtration: In-line HEPA filtration system connecting to a facility-provided breathing air system via standard Parker quick connections.
Air Delivery: Utilizes 60 PSI air, delivering 25 cfm, with HEPA filter exhausted. Air hose hookup shall be on the right side.
Design: All seams must be air and watertight. The suit’s feet must be stocking type to fit into a shoe or boot.
Noise Level: Internal noise must be below the OSHA standard (90 decibels) to allow clear communication.

Contract & Timeline

Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
Set-Aside: Total Small Business (FAR 19.5) under NAICS 315990 (500-employee size standard)
Response Due: May 15, 2026, 1:00 PM EST
Published: May 8, 2026

Submission Requirements

Interested small businesses must submit capability statements demonstrating their ability to provide suits meeting the minimum requirements. Statements must indicate business size. This is a market survey, not a request for proposals.