Long-Evans (LE) or Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's National Center for Toxicological Research is procuring Long-Evans or Sprague-Dawley rats for a developmental neurotoxicity research protocol to assess the effects of acetaminophen. The solicitation requires specific health certifications, with rats coming from housing rooms tested negative for multiple pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, along with detailed documentation about breeding and origins. Vendors must provide warranties on rat health and replace any injured or deceased animals at no additional cost to the government. The evaluation will be conducted using lowest-priced technically acceptable criteria for this firm-fixed-price commercial item contract. The original deadline of July 24, 2025 was extended twice, with final offers now due July 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM Central Time, submitted via email to the FDA's Office of Acquisition and Grant Services.

This procurement operates under NAICS code 112990 with a small business size standard of $2.75 million, though the most recent amendment indicates it is now a full and open competition rather than a small business set-aside. The contract requires delivery of 407 timed pregnant rats, 10 young female rats, and 10 young male rats through multiple shipments scheduled between August 2025 and December 2026. Performance will take place in Jefferson, Arkansas, where the FDA's toxicological research facility is located. The government reserves rights to inspect delivered animals and request replacements or price adjustments for non-conforming specimens. No incumbent contractors or specific award values are mentioned in the solicitation materials, though the research protocol is identified as E0782511 for the acetaminophen study.