NAHLN Diagnostic Testing Services

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is conducting a recompete RFQ for diagnostic testing services from NAHLN-approved laboratories, with quotations due June 16, 2027. This procurement is restricted competition under FAR 6.103-1 (Only One Responsible Source); only National Animal Health Laboratory Network-approved laboratories are eligible, precluding subcontracting by non-NAHLN firms.

The Government intends to award approximately 51 IDIQ contracts, each with a five-year period of performance and a $25 million ceiling per contract. Total estimated value is $255 million annually, or $2.55 billion over the 10-year period covered by the class justification (expiring May 31, 2036). Place of performance is Ames, Iowa. NAICS code is 541940, Veterinary Services, with a $10 million small business size standard; this acquisition is not set aside for small business.

Eligible laboratories must maintain full third-party accreditation (AAVLD or ISO 17025), demonstrate HL7 messaging interoperability with federal electronic reporting systems, hold at least two NAHLN disease approvals requiring molecular assays, maintain capacity for surveillance and surge testing, and comply with biennial self-assessment and verification. Level 1 laboratories must possess Biosafety Level 3 functionality and sustained external funding. Services encompass culture/isolation, immunoassay, molecular diagnostics (including PCR, multiplex PCR, and whole genome sequencing), and ancillary testing for endemic and foreign animal diseases, with presumptive positive or inconclusive samples forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmation.

Pricing must be firm-fixed-price unit costs for five one-year ordering periods (September 1, 2026–August 31, 2031). Evaluation criteria are technical acceptability (verified NAHLN approval required) and price fairness and reasonableness; no tradeoffs are conducted. Amendment 0001 effective July 16 revised Testing Number 5.01 to clarify morphologic evaluation of New World Screwworm specimens as "per submission" rather than "per sample." Questions are due July 2 at 12:00 PM Central Time to Stephen.Tees@usda.gov; the Contracting Officer is Stephen Tees. Forty-eight incumbent contractors currently hold IDIQ numbers under the predecessor contract.