High Flow Filters for NICHD Aquatics Facility

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is conducting market research for high flow filter cartridges/elements to support their Shared Zebrafish Facility at their Bethesda, Maryland location. This sources sought notice seeks information from qualified small businesses regarding their capability to supply specialized filters with specific technical requirements: 6-inch diameter, 40-inch length, 20-micron filtration rating, minimum flow rate of 170 GPM, and a service life of at least 6 days with a preference for 12+ days. The agency is particularly interested in understanding the availability of small business sources across various categories including HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, 8(a), veteran-owned, woman-owned, and small disadvantaged businesses, as well as the availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States. Interested parties must submit 10-page capability statements electronically to Jacob Balenson at Jacob.balenson@nih.gov by August 4, 2025, at 1700 EST, addressing manufacturing capabilities, supply chain management, technical support, past performance, and quality assurance. The submission deadline was extended from the original July 28, 2025 date, and all responses must reference Sources Sought Notice #75N94025Q00142.

This opportunity does not include any set-aside designation and no incumbent contractors are identified in the documentation. The estimated contract structure includes a base period from December 31, 2025, to December 30, 2026, followed by four one-year option periods, creating a potential five-year total performance period. The anticipated delivery schedule requires approximately 128 filters monthly, delivered in two shipments of 64 filters each throughout the month to the facility in Bethesda, Maryland. The procurement falls under NAICS code 333310 (Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees, and PSC code 4610 for Water Purification Equipment. The agency emphasizes this is strictly a market research effort with no commitment to issue a formal solicitation, and no budget or estimated contract value information has been disclosed at this preliminary stage.