To issue a solicitation for "Mouse Models for Down

Pre-Solicitation Notice

This is a notice of intent to issue a solicitation for the recompete of the contract titled "Repository of Mouse Models for Down Syndrome." The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is seeking a contractor to produce, maintain, and distribute aneuploid mice, with a primary focus on models of human trisomy for chromosome 21 (Down syndrome).

• Maintain a breeding colony of various mouse strains relevant to Down syndrome research, including but not limited to Ts65Dn, Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, and Ts66Yah.

• Ensure an adequate supply of mice to meet investigator demands, anticipating the supply of 1200-2400 mice per year.

• Acquire new strains of interest to the investigator community.

• Convene a quarterly external Scientific Advisory Board.

• Evaluate mouse fertility semiannually.

• Distribute requested mouse models to NIH-funded and non-NIH funded investigators.

• Periodically test animals for pathogens.

• Characterize clinical and neurobehavioral phenotypes of mouse models.

• Publicize the availability of mouse models and detailed information about them.

• The requirement is classified under NAICS 541714.

• A single cost-reimbursement type contract is anticipated.

• The period of performance is expected to begin around September 25, 2026, with a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, totaling up to five years.

• The solicitation (RFP 75N94026R00006) will be available on or about April 14, 2026.

• Proposals are due on or about June 1, 2026.

• The RFP will be available electronically through "Contract Opportunities" on SAM.gov.

• Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for the RFP and any amendments.

• All inquiries must be submitted electronically to the points of contact listed.

• The solicitation will be issued through full and open competition procedures.

• Potential offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) Database to receive a government contract award.

• Primary: Gisele Beaudoin, Contract Specialist (gisele.beaudoin@nih.gov)

• Secondary: Gannon White, Contracting Officer (gannon.white@nih.gov)

• This notice is a pre-solicitation synopsis and not a request for proposal. No quotes or bids will be accepted.

• This notice does not obligate the Government to make an award.

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is for market research and planning purposes only, not a solicitation. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at NIH is seeking information on the availability and capability of qualified small businesses to perform a potential Research & Development (R&D) requirement. The goal is to identify potential sources for a "Repository of Mouse Models for Down Syndrome."

Potential contractors will be responsible for:

• Breeding, maintaining, and distributing mouse models of Down syndrome (specifically those with genetic backgrounds relevant to human chromosome 21 synteny).

• Maintaining specific strains such as Ts65Dn, Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, and Ts66Yah.

• Ensuring an adequate supply of mice to meet investigator demands, anticipating approximately 1200-2400 mice per year.

• Potentially acquiring new strains of interest.

• Convening a quarterly Scientific Advisory Board.

• Evaluating mouse fertility and distributing animals to approved investigators.

• Periodically testing animals for pathogens.

• Characterizing clinical and neurobehavioral phenotypes of mouse models.

• Publicizing the availability of mouse models and associated data.

• Anticipated contract type: Cost-reimbursement.

• Anticipated period of performance: One-year base period plus four (4) one-year option periods (total of five years).

• Anticipated award: Single award.

• This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, abstracts, or quotations.

• Interested small businesses should submit a capability statement demonstrating experience, qualifications, facilities, and ability to perform the effort.

• Capability statements must include specific business information (Unique Entity ID, Company Name, Address, POCs, accounting system, company type).

• Submission Deadline: March 19, 2026, 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Submission Method: Electronically via e-mail to Gannon White (gannon.white@nih.gov) and Gisele Beaudoin (gisele.beaudoin@nih.gov) in PDF format.

• No individualized feedback will be provided on submitted capability statements.

• This notice is specifically for Small Business Sources Sought (SBSS).

• All small business organizations (SB, SOB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, and SDVOSB) are encouraged to respond.

• Organizations not considered small businesses under NAICS Code 541714 should not respond.

• Based on responses, the acquisition may be solicited as a small business set-aside.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in responses.

• The Government is not obligated to award a contract or pay for information provided.