Develop evaluations and benchmarks for assessing chemical and biological capabilities of AI models
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 1333ND25QNB100143
- Agency
-
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- PSC
- R499 Support- Professional: Other
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), specifically the U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), is procuring services to develop evaluations and benchmarks for assessing chemical and biological capabilities of AI models through multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs). The procurement seeks contractors to provide resources for pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) of frontier AI models, focusing on their potential chemical and biological risks and capabilities. Contractors must demonstrate expertise in biological subdisciplines including synthetic biology, virology, bacteriology, and molecular biology, with particular emphasis on recruiting experts with relevant affiliations and demonstrated knowledge in these domains. The evaluation will be conducted on a best value basis, assessing both technical capabilities and pricing, with specific requirements for Project Manager qualifications and detailed management plans for expert recruitment processes. The solicitation deadline is June 17, 2025, at 3:30 PM Eastern Time, with communications directed to Billy Wong at NIST.
This procurement utilizes full and open competition with no set-aside designations, operating under NAICS code 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The contract structure includes multiple BOAs with a base period of one year and four optional one-year extensions, with the total aggregate value of orders under all BOAs not to exceed $3.0 million. The procurement follows simplified acquisition procedures under FAR 13.5 for commercial services, with firm fixed-price orders and fully loaded labor rates to be negotiated at the BOA level. Awards have been announced and are referenced under Notice ID 1333ND25GNB100001 on SAM.gov. The solicitation underwent multiple amendments (A001 through A004) to address questions and clarify requirements, including changes to the primary point of contact and statement of work modifications.
Notice text
7 versions
Update #7 · Latest ·
Award announcement
Awards for the subject solicitation has been made. Please see the award notice posting under Notice ID 1333ND25GNB100001: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/978fe1e0d010451fbf9eb2092e4faff8/view
Amendment A004
The solicitation is hereby amended to change the primary point of contact, incorporate changes to the statement of work, and incorporate changes to the Addendum to 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, and extend the due date for quotations.
Reference the attached document for amendment details.
END
Amendment A003
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted.
END
Amendment A002
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted and incorpoate a change to Amendment A001, question 19.
END
Amendment A001
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted. Reference the attached document.
END
Solicitation Number 1333ND25QNB100143
The solicitation has been uploaded. Reference the attached document.
END
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is one of the defining technologies of our era. Its emergence, together with its multiplying contexts of use and increasing capabilities, presents enormous opportunities as well as significant present and future harms.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is advancing the science, practice, and adoption of AI safety across the spectrum of risks. AISI is conducting pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) on frontier models of chemical and biological capabilities and risks. In doing so, AISI seeks to ensure that its projects, evaluations, and tools reflect the best available science, and to coordinate closely with a diverse set of Al stakeholders who are developing and conducting evaluations to assess chemical or biological capabilities and risks.
The Government has a requirement to provide or develop resources for various aspects of assessing frontier Al model chemical and biological capabilities and risks on an as needed basis. Multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) will be awarded for a base period of one year with four 1-year option periods.
The NAICS code for this requirement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The required services are commercial in nature and are being procured using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Full and open competition will be utilized.
The competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ), amendments, and all questions and answers related to this procurement shall be made available via the Internet at the System for Award Management website (www.SAM.Gov) under RFQ number 1333ND25QNB100143.
Potential quoters shall be responsible for downloading the solicitation and amendments, if any, from www.sam.gov after the solicitation has been posted. It is, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each potential quoter to monitor www.sam.gov for any amendments or other information related to the solicitation.
Any communications regarding this acquisition must be made in writing and forwarded via email to carol.wood@nist.gov, and shall identify the solicitation number, company name, company address, as well as point of contact email address and phone number. Quoters must await the release of the solicitation before submitting questions. Please review the solicitation thoroughly before submitting questions.
NIST anticipates posting the solicitation approximately seven days after the date of publication of this notice.
This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent Contractor.
All Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology approvals relevant to Executive Order 14222 entitled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” have not yet been secured for the intended work. Award cannot be made until all required approvals are obtained. The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if all required approvals cannot be obtained. The Government will not be responsible for bid and proposal cost or any other costs incurred by any quoter if the solicitation is cancelled relevant to the required approvals.
Update #6 ·
Amendment A004
The solicitation is hereby amended to change the primary point of contact, incorporate changes to the statement of work, and incorporate changes to the Addendum to 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, and extend the due date for quotations.
Reference the attached document for amendment details.
END
Amendment A003
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted.
END
Amendment A002
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted and incorpoate a change to Amendment A001, question 19.
END
Amendment A001
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted. Reference the attached document.
END
Solicitation Number 1333ND25QNB100143
The solicitation has been uploaded. Reference the attached document.
END
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is one of the defining technologies of our era. Its emergence, together with its multiplying contexts of use and increasing capabilities, presents enormous opportunities as well as significant present and future harms.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is advancing the science, practice, and adoption of AI safety across the spectrum of risks. AISI is conducting pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) on frontier models of chemical and biological capabilities and risks. In doing so, AISI seeks to ensure that its projects, evaluations, and tools reflect the best available science, and to coordinate closely with a diverse set of Al stakeholders who are developing and conducting evaluations to assess chemical or biological capabilities and risks.
The Government has a requirement to provide or develop resources for various aspects of assessing frontier Al model chemical and biological capabilities and risks on an as needed basis. Multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) will be awarded for a base period of one year with four 1-year option periods.
The NAICS code for this requirement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The required services are commercial in nature and are being procured using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Full and open competition will be utilized.
The competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ), amendments, and all questions and answers related to this procurement shall be made available via the Internet at the System for Award Management website (www.SAM.Gov) under RFQ number 1333ND25QNB100143.
Potential quoters shall be responsible for downloading the solicitation and amendments, if any, from www.sam.gov after the solicitation has been posted. It is, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each potential quoter to monitor www.sam.gov for any amendments or other information related to the solicitation.
Any communications regarding this acquisition must be made in writing and forwarded via email to carol.wood@nist.gov, and shall identify the solicitation number, company name, company address, as well as point of contact email address and phone number. Quoters must await the release of the solicitation before submitting questions. Please review the solicitation thoroughly before submitting questions.
NIST anticipates posting the solicitation approximately seven days after the date of publication of this notice.
This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent Contractor.
All Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology approvals relevant to Executive Order 14222 entitled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” have not yet been secured for the intended work. Award cannot be made until all required approvals are obtained. The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if all required approvals cannot be obtained. The Government will not be responsible for bid and proposal cost or any other costs incurred by any quoter if the solicitation is cancelled relevant to the required approvals.
Update #5 ·
Amendment A003
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted.
END
Amendment A002
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted and incorpoate a change to Amendment A001, question 19.
END
Amendment A001
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted. Reference the attached document.
END
Solicitation Number 1333ND25QNB100143
The solicitation has been uploaded. Reference the attached document.
END
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is one of the defining technologies of our era. Its emergence, together with its multiplying contexts of use and increasing capabilities, presents enormous opportunities as well as significant present and future harms.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is advancing the science, practice, and adoption of AI safety across the spectrum of risks. AISI is conducting pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) on frontier models of chemical and biological capabilities and risks. In doing so, AISI seeks to ensure that its projects, evaluations, and tools reflect the best available science, and to coordinate closely with a diverse set of Al stakeholders who are developing and conducting evaluations to assess chemical or biological capabilities and risks.
The Government has a requirement to provide or develop resources for various aspects of assessing frontier Al model chemical and biological capabilities and risks on an as needed basis. Multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) will be awarded for a base period of one year with four 1-year option periods.
The NAICS code for this requirement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The required services are commercial in nature and are being procured using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Full and open competition will be utilized.
The competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ), amendments, and all questions and answers related to this procurement shall be made available via the Internet at the System for Award Management website (www.SAM.Gov) under RFQ number 1333ND25QNB100143.
Potential quoters shall be responsible for downloading the solicitation and amendments, if any, from www.sam.gov after the solicitation has been posted. It is, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each potential quoter to monitor www.sam.gov for any amendments or other information related to the solicitation.
Any communications regarding this acquisition must be made in writing and forwarded via email to carol.wood@nist.gov, and shall identify the solicitation number, company name, company address, as well as point of contact email address and phone number. Quoters must await the release of the solicitation before submitting questions. Please review the solicitation thoroughly before submitting questions.
NIST anticipates posting the solicitation approximately seven days after the date of publication of this notice.
This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent Contractor.
All Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology approvals relevant to Executive Order 14222 entitled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” have not yet been secured for the intended work. Award cannot be made until all required approvals are obtained. The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if all required approvals cannot be obtained. The Government will not be responsible for bid and proposal cost or any other costs incurred by any quoter if the solicitation is cancelled relevant to the required approvals.
Update #4 ·
Amendment A002
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted and incorpoate a change to Amendment A001, question 19.
END
Amendment A001
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted. Reference the attached document.
END
Solicitation Number 1333ND25QNB100143
The solicitation has been uploaded. Reference the attached document.
END
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is one of the defining technologies of our era. Its emergence, together with its multiplying contexts of use and increasing capabilities, presents enormous opportunities as well as significant present and future harms.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is advancing the science, practice, and adoption of AI safety across the spectrum of risks. AISI is conducting pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) on frontier models of chemical and biological capabilities and risks. In doing so, AISI seeks to ensure that its projects, evaluations, and tools reflect the best available science, and to coordinate closely with a diverse set of Al stakeholders who are developing and conducting evaluations to assess chemical or biological capabilities and risks.
The Government has a requirement to provide or develop resources for various aspects of assessing frontier Al model chemical and biological capabilities and risks on an as needed basis. Multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) will be awarded for a base period of one year with four 1-year option periods.
The NAICS code for this requirement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The required services are commercial in nature and are being procured using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Full and open competition will be utilized.
The competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ), amendments, and all questions and answers related to this procurement shall be made available via the Internet at the System for Award Management website (www.SAM.Gov) under RFQ number 1333ND25QNB100143.
Potential quoters shall be responsible for downloading the solicitation and amendments, if any, from www.sam.gov after the solicitation has been posted. It is, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each potential quoter to monitor www.sam.gov for any amendments or other information related to the solicitation.
Any communications regarding this acquisition must be made in writing and forwarded via email to carol.wood@nist.gov, and shall identify the solicitation number, company name, company address, as well as point of contact email address and phone number. Quoters must await the release of the solicitation before submitting questions. Please review the solicitation thoroughly before submitting questions.
NIST anticipates posting the solicitation approximately seven days after the date of publication of this notice.
This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent Contractor.
All Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology approvals relevant to Executive Order 14222 entitled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” have not yet been secured for the intended work. Award cannot be made until all required approvals are obtained. The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if all required approvals cannot be obtained. The Government will not be responsible for bid and proposal cost or any other costs incurred by any quoter if the solicitation is cancelled relevant to the required approvals.
Update #3 ·
Amendment A001
The solicitation has been amended to respond to questions submitted. Reference the attached document.
END
Solicitation Number 1333ND25QNB100143
The solicitation has been uploaded. Reference the attached document.
END
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is one of the defining technologies of our era. Its emergence, together with its multiplying contexts of use and increasing capabilities, presents enormous opportunities as well as significant present and future harms.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is advancing the science, practice, and adoption of AI safety across the spectrum of risks. AISI is conducting pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) on frontier models of chemical and biological capabilities and risks. In doing so, AISI seeks to ensure that its projects, evaluations, and tools reflect the best available science, and to coordinate closely with a diverse set of Al stakeholders who are developing and conducting evaluations to assess chemical or biological capabilities and risks.
The Government has a requirement to provide or develop resources for various aspects of assessing frontier Al model chemical and biological capabilities and risks on an as needed basis. Multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) will be awarded for a base period of one year with four 1-year option periods.
The NAICS code for this requirement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The required services are commercial in nature and are being procured using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Full and open competition will be utilized.
The competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ), amendments, and all questions and answers related to this procurement shall be made available via the Internet at the System for Award Management website (www.SAM.Gov) under RFQ number 1333ND25QNB100143.
Potential quoters shall be responsible for downloading the solicitation and amendments, if any, from www.sam.gov after the solicitation has been posted. It is, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each potential quoter to monitor www.sam.gov for any amendments or other information related to the solicitation.
Any communications regarding this acquisition must be made in writing and forwarded via email to carol.wood@nist.gov, and shall identify the solicitation number, company name, company address, as well as point of contact email address and phone number. Quoters must await the release of the solicitation before submitting questions. Please review the solicitation thoroughly before submitting questions.
NIST anticipates posting the solicitation approximately seven days after the date of publication of this notice.
This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent Contractor.
All Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology approvals relevant to Executive Order 14222 entitled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” have not yet been secured for the intended work. Award cannot be made until all required approvals are obtained. The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if all required approvals cannot be obtained. The Government will not be responsible for bid and proposal cost or any other costs incurred by any quoter if the solicitation is cancelled relevant to the required approvals.
Update #2 ·
Solicitation Number 1333ND25QNB100143
The solicitation has been uploaded. Reference the attached document.
END
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is one of the defining technologies of our era. Its emergence, together with its multiplying contexts of use and increasing capabilities, presents enormous opportunities as well as significant present and future harms.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is advancing the science, practice, and adoption of AI safety across the spectrum of risks. AISI is conducting pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) on frontier models of chemical and biological capabilities and risks. In doing so, AISI seeks to ensure that its projects, evaluations, and tools reflect the best available science, and to coordinate closely with a diverse set of Al stakeholders who are developing and conducting evaluations to assess chemical or biological capabilities and risks.
The Government has a requirement to provide or develop resources for various aspects of assessing frontier Al model chemical and biological capabilities and risks on an as needed basis. Multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) will be awarded for a base period of one year with four 1-year option periods.
The NAICS code for this requirement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The required services are commercial in nature and are being procured using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Full and open competition will be utilized.
The competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ), amendments, and all questions and answers related to this procurement shall be made available via the Internet at the System for Award Management website (www.SAM.Gov) under RFQ number 1333ND25QNB100143.
Potential quoters shall be responsible for downloading the solicitation and amendments, if any, from www.sam.gov after the solicitation has been posted. It is, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each potential quoter to monitor www.sam.gov for any amendments or other information related to the solicitation.
Any communications regarding this acquisition must be made in writing and forwarded via email to carol.wood@nist.gov, and shall identify the solicitation number, company name, company address, as well as point of contact email address and phone number. Quoters must await the release of the solicitation before submitting questions. Please review the solicitation thoroughly before submitting questions.
NIST anticipates posting the solicitation approximately seven days after the date of publication of this notice.
This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent Contractor.
All Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology approvals relevant to Executive Order 14222 entitled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” have not yet been secured for the intended work. Award cannot be made until all required approvals are obtained. The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if all required approvals cannot be obtained. The Government will not be responsible for bid and proposal cost or any other costs incurred by any quoter if the solicitation is cancelled relevant to the required approvals.
Update #1 ·
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is one of the defining technologies of our era. Its emergence, together with its multiplying contexts of use and increasing capabilities, presents enormous opportunities as well as significant present and future harms.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is advancing the science, practice, and adoption of AI safety across the spectrum of risks. AISI is conducting pre-deployment testing, evaluation, validation, and verification (TEVV) on frontier models of chemical and biological capabilities and risks. In doing so, AISI seeks to ensure that its projects, evaluations, and tools reflect the best available science, and to coordinate closely with a diverse set of Al stakeholders who are developing and conducting evaluations to assess chemical or biological capabilities and risks.
The Government has a requirement to provide or develop resources for various aspects of assessing frontier Al model chemical and biological capabilities and risks on an as needed basis. Multiple Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) will be awarded for a base period of one year with four 1-year option periods.
The NAICS code for this requirement is 541690 with a small business size standard of $19.0 million. The required services are commercial in nature and are being procured using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
Full and open competition will be utilized.
The competitive Request for Quotation (RFQ), amendments, and all questions and answers related to this procurement shall be made available via the Internet at the System for Award Management website (www.SAM.Gov) under RFQ number 1333ND25QNB100143.
Potential quoters shall be responsible for downloading the solicitation and amendments, if any, from www.sam.gov after the solicitation has been posted. It is, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each potential quoter to monitor www.sam.gov for any amendments or other information related to the solicitation.
Any communications regarding this acquisition must be made in writing and forwarded via email to carol.wood@nist.gov, and shall identify the solicitation number, company name, company address, as well as point of contact email address and phone number. Quoters must await the release of the solicitation before submitting questions. Please review the solicitation thoroughly before submitting questions.
NIST anticipates posting the solicitation approximately seven days after the date of publication of this notice.
This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent Contractor.
All Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology approvals relevant to Executive Order 14222 entitled “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” have not yet been secured for the intended work. Award cannot be made until all required approvals are obtained. The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if all required approvals cannot be obtained. The Government will not be responsible for bid and proposal cost or any other costs incurred by any quoter if the solicitation is cancelled relevant to the required approvals.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| AMENDMENT A004.pdf | ||
| AMENDMENT A003.pdf | ||
| AMENDMENT A002.pdf | ||
| AMENDMENT A001.pdf | ||
| REQUEST FOR QUOTATION.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Pre-Solicitation | |
| Develop evaluations and benchmarks for assessing chemical and biological capabilities of AI models | Pre-Solicitation |
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