NIGP 49063: Natural Science Equipment and Supplies

NIGP 49063 Natural Science Equipment and Supplies, an Item code, covers preserved specimens, chemicals, live organisms, micromedia, and general laboratory consumables that state and local governments—particularly school districts—purchase for K-12 science instruction and research support. Recent solicitations show districts buying non-formalin-preserved specimens, chemicals with current Safety Data Sheets, live materials, micromedia, and associated equipment across multiple campuses and instructional levels, often bundled with teaching supplies in broader instructional-materials procurements. The issuing-body mix is dominated by independent school districts, which solicit under this code to supply science laboratories and classroom instruction across dozens to hundreds of school sites; Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) in Texas and Cobb County School District (CCSD) in Georgia appear as active repeat buyers in the recent record. Vendors typically must establish online ordering platforms, accept purchase orders and procurement cards, deliver within ten business days with inside delivery included, provide quarterly usage reports, and maintain assigned account representatives. Contracts are generally as-needed with no minimum-purchase guarantees, priced as percentage discounts from catalog or manufacturer lists, and renewed annually at the district's discretion.

Activity is concentrated in Texas and Georgia. Cobb County School District issued IFB B26128 on May 15, 2026, requesting science specimens, chemicals, supplies, and equipment for all 112 school sites serving 105,738 students, with responses due June 16, 2026, and an estimated annual expenditure of $175,000; the district requires E-Verify compliance, $1 million Commercial General Liability insurance, and willingness to extend pricing to surrounding Metro-Atlanta entities. Katy ISD issued RFP #2428KD-A (posted August 14, 2026, with responses due May 29, 2026) for teaching and instructional materials across multiple departments, including science supplies alongside broader instructional categories, with a contract term running through October 22, 2027, and options to renew through October 23, 2030. The School Board of Seminole County, Florida, posted a notice of intent to sole-source five tonnes of Anorthosite Highlands Simulant from Space Resource Technologies (procurement 25260122S-VG, responses due June 9, 2026) for the ePathways Department at approximately $20,000 annually, though vendors could submit evidence of comparable products to challenge the sole-source designation. No set-aside or disadvantaged-enterprise restrictions appear across these solicitations; Texas and Florida require standard certifications including W-9 and criminal-background compliance.