Maze Engineers Brand Name Rodent Sleep Deprivation Chambers

The Defense Health Agency seeks 12 Maze Engineers brand-name rodent sleep deprivation chambers for sleep deprivation and sleep fragmentation research, with proposals due August 12, 2026 and questions due August 3, 2026. The procurement is set aside for Women-Owned Small Businesses and limits competition to a single brand based on unique technical specifications.

Place of performance is Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, with delivery required within 10 calendar days of award. The chambers must have internal dimensions of 38 centimeters diameter by 30 centimeters height, external dimensions of 42 centimeters length by 42 centimeters width by 50 centimeters height, with transparent acrylic cylinders, polycarbonate bases, and secured lids. The motor must operate below 40 decibels with variable speed from zero to a minimum of 100 meters per minute. The system must support automated start and stop, four rotation modes (Clockwise, Counterclockwise, Alternate, and Random), periodic breaks adjustable from zero to 240 seconds with one-second precision, and custom daylight control for user-defined illumination periods.

NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) applies, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. Evaluation uses a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable basis, weighing technical approach (brand name compliance and reseller authorization) and past performance against price. Proposals must be submitted in three volumes—technical, past performance, and priced—with non-priced proposals limited to 25 pages. Firm fixed price applies to both chambers and shipping. Contracting Officer is Sharew Hailu (sharew.hailu.civ@health.mil, 301-619-9201); Contract Specialist is Nathaniel Reus (nathaniel.a.reus.civ@health.mil, 301-619-9209).