SS_75N992-26-SS-104_031226.pdf

Sources Sought #75N992-26-SS-104

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Health Science Futures

Standardized Micro- and Nano- Plastics

I. The intent of this Sources Sought notice is to gauge industry interest, capabilities, and relevant experience to support Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Health Science Futures Office (HSF) by providing standardized micro- and nanoplastics to enable technology research and development activities.

II. Specifically, ARPA-H is looking for the capability to provide micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) materials with the following attributes:

Size distribution Required: Statistical distribution of fragments, centering at ~150 nm.

Option: At least three size categories: < 200 nm, between 200 nm and 1 µm, and between 1 µm and 5 µm.

Shape Irregular, non-spherical.

Option: Fibers.

Chemical Composition

Each sample contains only one MNP type (e.g. only polyethylene (PE), or only polypropylene (PP)).

Option: Polymers include, at minimum, PE, PP, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon 6 (Ny-6), plus additional relevant plastics such as poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane (PU), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR).

Additives No particular additives required. Standard additives or a mix of additives found in typical consumer products to create representative plastic samples are acceptable.

Option: Minimizing additives, by using weathered materials as a starting point.

Quantity/Scale 5-10 grams annually for 5 years.

These materials would be produced and characterized by the vendor and then distributed to researchers for metrology and toxicology studies.

III. Sources Sought Response Format:

Responses will be evaluated solely for market research purposes. Consequently, the Government is primarily interested in Qualified Sources providing specific technical details indicating how that source can meet the Government’s needs. Interested parties, at a minimum, should provide the following information:

a) Name of Entity and Point(s) of Contact

b) Address, Telephone Number and Email Addresses(s) of POC

c) Vendor Cage Code, Unique Entity ID and DUNS Number, if any.

d) The anticipated NAICS Code for this effort is 326199 All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing with a corresponding size standard of 750 employees, 325211 Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing with a corresponding size standard of 1,250 employees, or 541713, Research and Development in Nanotechnology, with a corresponding size standard of 1,000 employees. Identify the business size and type (small business, academic institution, FFRDC, national lab, etc.), applicable Socioeconomic Categories, and number of employees in relation to the proposed NAICS Codes: 326199, 325211 and/or 541713.

e) Concise technical description of the offeror’s capabilities in providing the above service/supplies. Please indicate if you currently have the proven capability to synthesize or otherwise manufacture each type of MNP or if additional research and development would be required (and if so, please provide the anticipated timeline). Please describe the methods used to characterize the materials.

f) Indicate if your entity would respond to a Request for Proposal. Include if your entity would propose as the prime or subcontractor.

g) Indicate if subcontracting possibilities exist and/or if all or some of the efforts may be performed by a single vendor.

h) Provide, in this response, with at least 2 relevant (within the last 36 months) contracts/orders, or other entities with a brief description of services/supplies provided for the same or similar type of work. If no such formal agreements exist, please provide a summary of prior performance for the same or similar type of work.

i) Provide in this response any active contracts/orders or agreements with the U.S.

Government (e.g. GWAC, GSA schedule, BPA, etc.) that may be utilized for this requirement.

Include the Government point of contact.

j) Provide a rough estimate or cost range of the annual cost to obtain the requirement. If you have a pricelist, please provide it with your submittal.

k) Indicate how quickly your company would be able to provide the requirement (e.g. within XX days of contract award).

IV. Response to this Sources Sought Notice should not exceed 3 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font and 1-inch margins, inclusive of charts, graphs, or other illustrations. All responses to this notice must be UNCLASSIFIED and must be received electronically no later than 3:00 pm (Eastern) on 24 March, 2026. Submit responses to: elaine.wong@arpa-h.gov.

Requests received after the due date will not be considered or responded to. When submitting a response, please use “Microplastics Sources Sought 75N992-26-SS-104” in the email subject line. Any responses submitted through different channels or to a different email address will not be considered. The Government will NOT acknowledge receipt of submissions and is under no obligation to provide feedback. The Government will review the responses to assess relevance and potential performance capabilities.

V. Disclaimers and Important Notes This announcement contains all information required to submit a response. Submission of a response is entirely voluntary and is not required to propose to a subsequent solicitation.

This announcement does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released in the future, it may be synopsized at SAM.gov website.

It is the responsibility of any potential offerors/bidders to monitor this site for release of any solicitation or synopsis. The Government will NOT provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this notice. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary and non-personal identifiable information. If company proprietary information is submitted, it must be appropriately and specifically marked. It is the submitter’s responsibility to clearly define to the Government what is considered proprietary data. Any proprietary information should clearly be labeled as “Proprietary”. The Government will not publicly disclose proprietary information obtained as a result of this notice information obtained as a result of this notice.

Submissions may be reviewed by Government personnel and support contractors bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements.