36C24526Q0669.docx

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System Contracting Officer (90C) P.O. Box 1000, Bldg. 101, Room 26 Perry Point MD 21902

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Robert O'Keefe Jr.

robert.okeefejr@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS

Contractors Lab/Facility

See notice for details

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/locations/baltimore

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 05 Title: A Joint‑Targeted Drug Delivery Approach for Arthritis Therapy – Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics

1. Purpose This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for market research in accordance with FAR Part 10. This is not a solicitation, and it does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation or make an award. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeks to identify qualified vendors capable of performing preclinical toxicology and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies on an experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment involving peptide-displaying liposomes containing dexamethasone.

2. Requirement Overview The VA requires a contractor to perform GLP-compliant toxicity testing and GLP or non‑GLP pharmacokinetic studies in adult rats. These studies support advancement toward a future FDA Pre‑IND meeting for the patented joint-targeted liposomal delivery system developed under prior VA-funded research.

3. Summary of Required Services

A. Toxicity Studies (GLP Required)

• Receive peptide‑displaying liposomes containing ≥150 mg dexamethasone, ≥80% encapsulation efficiency, with Certificate of Analysis.

• Conduct single‑dose intravenous toxicity testing in 20–32 rats (male and female).

• Record clinical observations, weight, and food intake over a 14‑day period.

• Conduct blood testing for organ damage markers (liver, kidney, heart, muscle, etc.).

• Perform euthanasia, necropsy, and histopathology of major organs.

B. Pharmacokinetic (PK) Studies (GLP or non‑GLP)

• Administer single IV doses to 12–24 rats (balanced sexes).

• Observe and weigh animals before and after dosing.

• Collect blood samples at 8–10 defined time points (10 min through 48 hours).

• Process plasma and store at −20°C.

• Perform chemical extraction and LC‑MS/MS quantification of dexamethasone and metabolite 6‑hydroxydexamethasone (6OHDEX).

• Generate PK parameters (t½, Cmax, AUC, etc.).

C. Final Deliverable

• Comprehensive written report summarizing toxicity, PK parameters, and analytical results.

4. Place of Performance Vendor’s laboratory.

• Toxicology tasks must be performed under GLP.

• PK tasks may be performed under GLP or non‑GLP.

5. Period of Performance – 1 year of service (if necessary) September 15, 2026 – September 14, 2027.

6. Requested Information from Interested Vendors

Please submit the following in your capability statement:

· Company name, address, point of contact, phone, and email.

· Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and confirmation of active SAM.gov registration.

· Business size and socio‑economic status under NAICS 325412.

· Demonstrated technical capability and experience performing:

· GLP toxicology studies

· Rodent PK studies

· LC‑MS/MS analysis

· Histopathology and necropsy

Relevant past performance for biomedical R&D or FDA preclinical support.

Any additional information proving capability to meet the requirements.

7. Socio‑Economic Categories of Interest

The VA encourages responses from:

· SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, Small businesses, Large businesses

8. Point of Contact for Responses

Contracting Officer: Robert O’Keefe Jr.

Email: robert.okeefejr@va.gov

Please submit all capability statements directly to the Contracting Officer for review no later than (NLT) July 31, 2026 – 0900 Eastern Standard Time.

Your email subject line should read:

· Response to Sources Sought Notice – Approach for Arthritis Therapy – Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics

(NAICS 325412 / PSC AJ13)

9. Disclaimer

Upon completion of Market Research, a Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA) will be required of selected vendors. The CDA must be fully executed before any proprietary information is released. Selected vendors will receive exclusive access to solicitation materials and proprietary documents once the CDA is completed.

This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes only. Information received will assist the Government in shaping the acquisition strategy. This notice does not constitute a solicitation, does not request quotes, and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

Sources Sought Notice