A--To issue a solicitation for "Mouse Models for Down

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the "Repository of Mouse Models for Down Syndrome" (also known as the "Mouse Repository"). The contract will involve producing, potentially acquiring, maintaining, and distributing mouse models for cytogenetic research, with a specific focus on models for Down syndrome (human trisomy for chromosome 21).

• Maintain a breeding colony of at least 30 pairs of Ts65Dn mice to ensure colony stability and meet demand.

• Maintain and distribute other relevant mouse models, including Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, and Ts66Yah.

• Ensure an adequate supply of female mice for prenatal studies and for investigators with substantial resource needs.

• Potentially acquire and add at least one new mouse strain of interest to the investigator community.

• Apply refined procedures to cryopreserve embryos for actively produced strains.

• Distribute animal models to qualified investigators approved by NICHD.

• Characterize clinical and neurobehavioral phenotypes of mouse models.

• Publicize the availability of mouse models and related information via a user-friendly website.

• Organize monthly conference calls and convene an external Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) quarterly.

• Submit various reports, including monthly progress reports, annual progress reports, annual technical reports, draft and final progress reports, and a final transition plan.

• Contract Type: Multiple-year Cost Reimbursement type contract.

• Period of Performance: Anticipated to be September 25, 2026, through September 24, 2027, with potential for option periods extending through September 24, 2031.

• Estimated Cost: TBD for the Base Period.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: May 28, 2026, at 4:30 pm EST.

• Questions Deadline: May 1, 2026, via email.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via the eCPS website (https://ecps.nih.gov).

• Evaluation Factors: Technical, Cost/Price, and Past Performance.

• This requirement is not set-aside for small business.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• The solicitation includes numerous attachments detailing specific requirements for proposals, technical specifications, reporting, and evaluation criteria.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the production, maintenance, and distribution of aneuploid mice, with a primary emphasis on models of human trisomy for chromosome 21. The work involves sustaining a minimum of 30 breeding pairs of Ts65Dn mice and maintaining/distributing additional models like Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, and Ts66Yah. The goal is to ensure colony stability, meet research demand, prioritize genetic integrity and colony health, and support investigators in the Down syndrome research community.

• Production, maintenance, and distribution of aneuploid mice.

• Sustaining at least 30 breeding pairs of Ts65Dn mice.

• Maintenance and distribution of additional mouse models (Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, Ts66Yah).

• Prioritization of genetic integrity, colony health, and timely availability.

• Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for all reports.

• Submission of technical progress reports, including interim study data.

• Reporting of Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI).

• Invention reporting as required by FAR Clause 52.227-11.

• Packaging, marking, and shipping in accordance with Government specifications.

• Inspection and acceptance of materials and services.

• Adherence to the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

• Compliance with NIH policies on reproducibility, rigor, transparency, and public access to research.

• Data sharing plan.

• Sharing of model organisms for biomedical research.

• Contract Type: Cost-Reimbursement level of effort.

• Period of Performance: September 24, 2026, through September 24, 2031 (Base Period: Year 1; Option Periods: Years 2-5).

• Estimated Cost: Base Period is TBD. Option periods will increase the total estimated contract amount.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically and include technical and business proposals.

• Evaluation factors: Technical, Cost/Price, and Past Performance.

• Proposals will be evaluated for technical merit, cost realism, and past performance.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Specific instructions for proposal format, content, and submission are detailed in the solicitation.

• This acquisition is UNRESTRICTED.

• NAICS Code: 541714

• Small Business Size Standard: 1,000 employees.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and HHSAR clauses by reference.

• Offerors must comply with all applicable regulations and policies, including those related to human subjects, animal welfare, data sharing, and electronic accessibility.

• The Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards, or no award.

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.