Sources Sought Notice_Laboratory Support Services_Final.pdf

Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) – Acquisition Directorate (AD) For Defense Prisoner of War/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)

Laboratory Support Services Sources Sought Notice

HQ0034-26-SS-1019

Section 1 – General Information

Document Type: Sources Sought Notice Title: Laboratory Support Services Organization: Defense Prisoner of War/MIA Accounting Agency Sources Sought Notice Post Date: October 20, 2026 Response Date: November 09, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time NAICS: The following NAICS codes may be applicable to this requirement: NAICS Code 621511, Medical Laboratories/Medical Forensic Laboratories., 541380, Testing Laboratories Services, 541620, Environmental Consulting Services, and 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Product Service Code: Q301- Reference laboratory testing Contract Value: $113 million Contract start date: 3RD Quarter of FY27 Performance Period: 12-month Base and four (4) 12-month Option Periods.

I. Security Requirement The highest security clearance requirement for this draft PWS is Secret. Contractor personnel identified by DPAA as requiring a Secret security clearance, shall possess and maintain a Secret security clearance at the time of proposal submission and throughout the period of performance as defined by the ICD 704, eligibility for Access to SCI, and reinforced in the DoDM 5105-21, V-3.

For interested 8(a) Joint Ventures (JV), the firm shall indicate if the 8(a) JV itself or the individual partner(s) to the 8(a) JV hold the required facility clearance.

II. Sources Sought WHS-AD is requesting responses from “all” sources. This includes Other than Small Businesses, Small Businesses, 8(a) Small Businesses, HubZone Small Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Businesses, Woman-Owned Small Businesses and Economically disadvantaged Women-owned Small Businesses.

III. Requirement Overview The Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) conducts global research, investigation, recovery, and laboratory operations to identify and account for unaccounted-for Department of Defense (DoD) personnel from past conflicts. These efforts support the DoD personnel accounting mission.

DPAA was established on January 30, 2015; however, its predecessor organizations have supported the personnel accounting mission for decades. DPAA operates a satellite laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, which opened in June 2013. DPAA also maintains permanent detachments that support host-nation access, logistics, and in-country requirements for investigation and recovery operations. These detachments include Detachment 1 in Bangkok, Thailand; Detachment 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam; Detachment 3 in Vientiane, Laos; and Detachment Europe in Miesau, Germany.

DPAA Scientific Analysis (SA), also referred to as the DPAA laboratory, is a large and diverse forensic skeletal laboratory staffed by forensic anthropologists, archaeologists, and odontologists.

The laboratory performs scientific analysis to support the identification of missing personnel. In 2003, the laboratory became the second Federal laboratory to achieve accreditation under the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) International Standards Program. Laboratory accreditation supports the DoD Defense Forensic Enterprise program and is consistent with DoD Directive 5110.10, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

DPAA regional directorates, including the Indo-Pacific (IP) Directorate and Europe- Mediterranean (EM) Directorate, conduct complex historical research and archaeological analysis in support of recovery, investigation, and disinterment missions. The regional directorates plan and execute field investigations and recovery operations worldwide. The Partnerships and Innovations Directorate supports these global field operations.

This contract supports DPAA laboratory and regional-directorate requirements necessary to advance the Agency’s mission of accounting for as many missing service members as feasible each year. DPAA’s planning objective is to maintain the capacity and capability to account for 200 or more individuals annually.

IV. Place of Performance All work shall take place at the following locations:

The majority of laboratory and historical work shall occur at DPAA facilities in Hawaii or Nebraska. Worldwide remote work shall be required for Field Support Program projects. Some work shall occur in Virginia (multiple locations); Washington, D.C

Section 2 – Response Instructions

To facilitate a timely and comprehensive review of all responses, firms must adhere strictly to the format and guidelines outlined below. Deviations may lead to the rejection of the response.

I. Document Formatting Requirements

Page Limit: 10 pages maximum (Supplemental Information does not count toward this limit) Font Style & Size: Times New Roman, 12-point Paper Size: Standard letter size (8.5" x 11") Classification: Do NOT include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information.

II. Required Submission Content

Your submission must include the following distinct elements, organized in the order listed below:

1. Administrative & Company Profile

• Company Information: Official company name, physical address, and designated Point of Contact (POC) name, telephone number, and email address.

• Registrations: CAGE Code and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number.

• Business Size & Schedule:

o Socio-economic category/business size status.

o Applicable GSA Schedule Contract Number(s) appropriate to meet the

Laboratory Support Services requirements.

• Security Credentials: Vendor Facility Clearance level, and the specific number of cleared staff members holding a current Secret clearance or Secret with SCI eligibility.

2. Technical Capabilities Statement

Firms must provide a narrative demonstrating their experience, staffing capacity, and technical capabilities to perform the three (3) Critical Task Areas outlined in Draft PWS Section 5:

• Critical Task 1: Laboratory Support Program (Draft PWS 5.2)

• Critical Task 2: Research Support Program (Draft PWS 5.3)

• Critical Task 3: Field Support Program (Draft PWS 5.4)

• Note: Please address the operational impact and feasibility of performing these tasks at the Contractor's site versus in Government-provided spaces.

3. GSA Labor Category (LCAT) Crosswalk

Provide a structured matrix mapping your GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) labor categories to the government LCATs described in Draft PWS Section 1.12.

• Demonstrate how your FSS qualifications align with the PWS requirements.

• Suggest alternative or closest-matching LCATs for any government categories that do not directly exist on your GSA schedule.

4. Past Performance (Within the Last 3 Years)

Provide details on similar contracts or projects performed within the last three (3) years that demonstrate relevant scale and complexity:

• Identify the client, contract number, period of performance, dollar value, and scope.

• Describe how the performance relates directly to DPAA Laboratory Support Services.

5. Intent and Sourcing Strategy

• State clearly whether your firm intends to submit a quote if a formal Request for Quote (RFQ) is issued.

• Indicate if your interest is as a Prime Contractor, Subcontractor, or part of a Teaming/Joint Venture arrangement.

III. Small Business Sourcing & Subcontracting

The following information will assist WHS/AD in establishing set-aside strategies and small business participation goals.

1. Subcontracting Methodology

• Identify which critical task areas (or specific sub-tasks) your firm intends to self-perform as the prime, and which areas you will allocate to subcontractors or partners.

2. Small Business Sourcing Matrix

Complete the following table to outline your anticipated subcontracting allocation:

Task Categories (Draft PWS Ref)

Self-Perform

Anticipated Small Business (SB) Subcontracting %

Known SB Roles & Arrangements (e.g., JV, Sub, Partner)

Laboratory Support Program (PWS 5.2)

Research Support Program (PWS 5.3)

Field Support Program (PWS 5.4)

TOTALS % %

• Small Business Participation Commitment: State the anticipated minimum overall percentage (%) of the total contract value that your firm intends to allocate to Small Business entities. This data helps the government establish a realistic Minimum Quantitative Requirement (MQR) for small business participation.

IV. Supplemental Market Research Questions

These questions assist the government in refining the final acquisition package. Responses to this section do not count toward your 10-page limit.

1. NAICS & PSC Alignment: What are your recommended NAICS and Product Service Codes (PSC) for this effort? Please provide a brief justification.

2. Barriers to Competition: Are there any requirements in the draft PWS that you find unduly restrictive to small businesses?

3. Risk Assessment: Which task areas do you perceive as carrying a moderate-to-high risk, and why?

4. Contract Type Recommendation: Based on the draft PWS scope, what contract type (e.g., FFP, T&M, Cost-Reimbursable) would you recommend to optimize performance and reduce risk?

5. Commerciality: Are these services readily available on the commercial market? State yes/no and briefly explain.

6. PWS Feedback: Provide any general clarifying questions, feedback, or recommended edits regarding the Draft PWS requirements.

Important Notice to Respondents

• Non-Attribution: The Government reserves the right to use any technical, structural, or strategic feedback provided by respondents in the development of a resultant solicitation.

• No Return: All submitted materials become Government property and will not be returned. No proprietary or sensitive markings should be included.

V. Submission of Responses: Please submit your final capability statement electronically no later than 10:00 am ET, on November 9, 2026 to the primary point of contact, Jeanelle Joseph, Jeanelle.joseph.civ@mail.mil with a copy to Rashida Webb, Rashida.d.webb.civ@mail.mil . The email subject line should be titled “RFI Response for DPAA Laboratory Support Services.”

No hard copy submissions will be accepted. Submissions to any person other than the ones listed above will not be considered. Submissions after this date will not be considered.

mailto:Jeanelle.joseph.civ@mail.mil mailto:Rashida.d.webb.civ@mail.mil