NLCP-RFI-2026-2 Market Research-8-13-26.docx

NLCP-RFI-2026-Market Research Request

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

National Laboratory Certification Program

This is not a solicitation announcement.

This Request for Information is issued for market research purposes only.

The Government is issuing this Request for Information / Sources Sought Notice to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources, including small businesses and other organizations, to support the National Laboratory Certification Program. Responses will assist the Government in acquisition planning and in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy. The Government has not made a final determination regarding the acquisition strategy for this requirement.

Important Notice This Request for Information does not obligate the Government to award a contract or issue a solicitation. Responses to this notice will not be considered offers and will not be accepted as proposals. No solicitation is currently available. Responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to any future solicitation, a request to be added to a prospective offerors list, or a request to receive a copy of a solicitation. All information received may be used by the Government for market research, acquisition planning, commerciality analysis, capability assessment, and small business planning. Respondents are responsible for clearly marking proprietary information. The Government will not reimburse respondents for costs associated with preparing or submitting a response.

Background The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Division of Workplace Programs, is conducting market research to identify qualified sources capable of supporting the National Laboratory Certification Program.

The National Laboratory Certification Program is the scientific and forensic laboratory certification program specified in the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs. The program supports the scientific reliability, forensic validity, and legal supportability of drug testing results reported by HHS-certified laboratories for Federal agencies and for industries regulated by the Department of Transportation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The National Laboratory Certification Program is a mission-critical Federal program that supports public safety, workplace safety, Federal agency compliance, laboratory certification and oversight, performance testing, laboratory inspections, scientific and regulatory support, and the integrity of Federal workplace drug testing.

The Government is interested in the existing capabilities of providing technical, scientific, forensic toxicology, laboratory inspection, performance testing, reporting, applied study, administrative, and cost recovery support necessary to maintain continuity of National Laboratory Certification Program operations.

Purpose of the Request for Information The purpose of this notice is to support market research under FAR Part 10 and to assist the Government in determining whether qualified sources exist that can meet the full, integrated National Laboratory Certification Program requirement. The Government is particularly interested in understanding whether capable sources exist in the commercial marketplace, through existing governmentwide contract vehicles, through modified commercial services, through teaming arrangements, or through other acquisition approaches.

Responses will help the Government assess whether this requirement may be suitable for a small business set-aside, full and open competition, use of an existing contract vehicle, or another acquisition strategy. No acquisition strategy determination has been made.

Anticipated Requirement.

The specific contract type, period of performance, and final acquisition strategy have not yet been determined and will be informed by this market research. For planning purposes, the contract is anticipated to feature a base period with subsequent option periods.

To help the Government evaluate market capability, respondents should review the following preliminary core objectives anticipated for this program:

· Controlled Substance Management: Possessing the legal authority and infrastructure to securely obtain, store, handle, and use drug standards, controlled substances, metabolites, and challenge materials to validate performance testing panels.

· Laboratory Performance & Remediation: Conducting technical evaluations of performance testing results and supporting timely remedial actions when laboratory deficiencies are identified.

· Oversight & Inspection: Maintaining a semiannual laboratory inspection program and supporting the full application, certification, and ongoing oversight lifecycle.

· Subject Matter Expertise: Providing qualified Federal workplace drug testing laboratory science expertise to prepare technical critiques, inspection reports, and scientific documentation.

· Applied Studies & Specialized Testing: Conducting applied studies to inform the Mandatory Guidelines and providing technical/regulatory support for urine, oral fluid, hair, and alternative biological specimens.

· Program Administration & Cost Recovery: Supporting inspector training, complex data management, secure stakeholder communications, and programmatic cost-recovery functions (e.g., fee tracking and invoicing support).

Day-One Readiness and Continuity Requirement Because the National Laboratory Certification Program supports Federal workplace drug testing and public safety functions, immediate continuity of operations is essential. The Government is evaluating the market's capability to fully assume all program responsibilities on the first day of contract performance without disruption to laboratory oversight, performance testing cycles, or data integrity.

Respondents should provide high-level corporate capabilities or past examples demonstrating their ability to rapidly scale specialized forensic staff and manage complex contract transitions without service gaps. Respondents must demonstrate a clear path to day-one readiness, including access to required forensic toxicology expertise, valid legal authority to handle required controlled substances/challenge materials, and a viable risk-mitigation strategy for contract transition. Teaming arrangements, joint ventures, and subcontracting approaches are highly encouraged to meet these highly specialized requirements.

Requested Information Responses must include the following administrative and market data:

Corporate profile: Company name, address, point of contact, including name, title, phone number, and email), Unique Entity ID (UEI), and cage code.

Socioeconomic status: business size and specific designations under NAICS 541690 (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, or large business) and/or whether the entity is a nonprofit organization, university, research organization.

Business Role: Preferred role for this requirement (e.g., Prime contractor, Subcontractor, or Teaming Partner).

Market Research: Commercial Solutions Availability Statement Attachment A is a Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) issued for market research purposes to identify the availability of commercially routine services or products. Attachment B provides a high-level workflow process of the NLCP program.

Please provide a brief statement addressing the following points:

· Whether these services are commercially available (or available with minor modifications).

· Whether any areas of the Draft PWS conflict with standard commercial practices or would prevent a commercial vendor from bidding.

· Whether you currently offer similar services to the general public or non-Government customers under similar terms and conditions.

· Whether your services are offered in support of a commercial product.

· Any modifications required to meet the Government’s specific requirements.

· Existing governmentwide contract vehicles (e.g., GSA Schedules, IDIQs) where your services are currently available.

Capability Questions Respondents should provide concise answers to the following questions. Focus responses on relevant experience and high-level corporate methodologies and commercially availability information.

1. Forensic Toxicology & Lab Oversight: Describe your organization's experience and technical capability to support complex performance testing (PT) cycles and laboratory inspections for forensic or workplace drug testing laboratories.

Scientific & Regulatory Expertise: Detail your access to subject matter experts qualified to provide technical assistance, scientific writing, and regulatory support across multiple biological specimen types (e.g., urine, oral fluid, hair).

Day-One Staffing & Teaming Strategy: Explain your strategy for securing a qualified workforce (including key forensic personnel) by the first day of performance. If applicable, explain how your proposed teaming or subcontracting structure will preserve operational independence and quality control.

Transition & Continuity Methodology: Describe your corporate approach to managing high-stakes contract transitions. What generic frameworks do you utilize to prevent service gaps in data management, cost-recovery support, and stakeholder communication?

Market Feasibility & Set-Aside Rationale: Based on your industry knowledge, do you believe this full integrated requirement can be successfully performed by a Small Business prime/team, or does it require a Large Business/Research Institution? Provide a brief rationale.

Risk & Dependency Identification: Identify the primary technical, logistical, or regulatory risks (such as laboratory capacity or access to controlled challenge materials) associated with this program, and outline standard industry mitigations for them.

Submission Instructions: Responses shall not exceed 11 pages, using font size 10 or larger. A standard corporate capability statement may be attached as a separate appendix and will not count toward the page limit.

Responses shall be emailed to: David Romley david.romley@hrsa.gov.

CC: Elizabeth Van Absher EVanAbsher@HRSA.Gov

Responses must be received no later than Monday, August 24, 2026 by 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

The subject line must include: Reference No. NLCP-RFI-2026-2 Market Research Response

Government Use of Information The Government may use responses to inform market research, acquisition strategy, small business considerations, commerciality analysis, contract type considerations, transition planning, risk assessment, and solicitation planning. The Government may contact respondents for additional information or clarification, but the Government is not obligated to do so.

Summary This Request for Information is intended to determine the availability and capability of qualified sources capable of supporting the full integrated National Laboratory Certification Program requirement. The Government is seeking information regarding capability, capacity, day-one readiness, continuity of operations, teaming or subcontracting strategies, commercial availability, existing contract vehicle availability, and potential acquisition approaches. No final acquisition strategy determination has been made.

National Laboratory Certification Program – Request for Information / Market Research Notice