AJ11--Research Core Services - Gut Microbiome in Gastro and Liver Disease - RICHMOND | EDA: 9/26/25

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Virginia VA Health Care System has issued a Special Notice regarding its intent to negotiate a sole source contract for research core services related to gut microbiome studies in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The notice pertains to contract opportunity AJ11--Research Core Services - Gut Microbiome in Gastro and Liver Disease - RICHMOND, which is categorized under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). The VA intends to award this contract without full and open competition pursuant to FAR 6.302-3, which permits sole source awards to educational institutions for essential research capabilities. The posting date is July 25, 2025, with responses due by August 1, 2025. This notice serves as advance notification of the agency's procurement intentions rather than a competitive solicitation.

The contract's primary objective is to secure animal husbandry and animal research activities from the National Gnotobiotic Rodent Research Center (NGRRC) at the University of North Carolina to support VA-funded research studies focused on targeting gut microbiome in gastrointestinal and liver diseases in US Veterans, specifically the BCCMA study and CMA4 research examining the intersection of gut microbiome, cirrhosis, and PTSD. The VA requires specialized expertise in gnotobiotic microbiome rodent models and facilities that the NGRRC provides as a NIH-sponsored educational institution. While this is not a request for competitive proposals, any responsible source believing they can meet the requirements may submit a capability statement to Lynn Portman at lynn.portman@va.gov by August 1st at 12PM EST. The government retains sole discretion in determining whether to proceed with competition based on any responses received, and telephone responses will not be accepted.