Notice of Intent to Sole Source Human Cadavers for the GME Residency Program at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

The Defense Health Agency, through Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, is seeking to procure human cadavers prepared using the Soft Cure Thiel Method, along with flushed and embalmed cadavers for the General Medical Education (GME) Residency Training Program. The agency intends to award this contract on a sole-source basis to the Virginia Department of Health, citing that it is the only source capable of providing Soft Cure Thiel Method cadavers with delivery via ground transport within 2 hours of the vendor's facility. Key contract requirements include monthly delivery of cadavers to the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Bioskills Cadaver Lab during standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM), contractor personnel obtaining base access, and proper handling of cremated remains in accordance with Virginia Code. Responses to this Notice of Intent must provide clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and would not hinder the mission objective. The deadline for submission of comments or questions regarding this notice is April 23, 2026, and inquiries should be directed to Contract Specialist Lisa Wilk (lisa.c.wilk.civ@health.mil) or Contract Officer Carol Uebelacker (carol.e.uebelacker.civ@health.mil).

This procurement carries no set-aside designation and the potential incumbent is the Virginia Department of Health. The estimated contract value is $395,700.00 for a Firm-Fixed-Price contract consisting of a base year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) and two option years, extending through June 30, 2029. The Government requires delivery of 26 human cadavers annually, specifically comprising 63 soft cure Thiel method cadavers, 12 flushed cadavers, and 3 embalmed cadavers over the three-year contract period. Soft cure cadavers are scheduled for monthly delivery typically in pairs, while formaldehyde cadavers are delivered in the June/July timeframe and flushed cadavers are delivered as needed based on training schedules, typically scheduled two months in advance. The contractor must ensure all personnel wear identification badges, disclose contractor status in communications, and maintain compliance with federal and state requirements regarding the handling and disposition of human remains.