Ongoing Drosophila Food Regimen

The National Institutes of Health's National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Division of Intramural Research seeks to procure precisely formulated Drosophila food supplies for ongoing cardiovascular disease and sleep disorder research. The requirement includes weekly shipments plus ad-hoc emergency deliveries as needed to support five research laboratories. The government intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order structured as a base contract plus four options, with a five-year period of performance from September 29, 2026, through September 28, 2031. The primary evaluation criterion centers on the contractor's demonstrated capability to meet the government's exacting standards, as the current Drosophila colonies are extremely sensitive to dietary variations. Small businesses, including 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, small disadvantaged, veteran-owned, and women-owned small business concerns, are invited to submit written capability statements by 10:00 a.m. EST on May 8, 2026, to Lynda.Cole@nih.gov. Award is anticipated approximately ten days after the notice date, contingent upon the government's determination that no other organization possesses the requisite capability.

This procurement carries no small business set-aside designation and represents a potential sole-source award to Lab Express LLC (UEI: FNLUX6K9RWS4), the exclusive incumbent supplier since FY17. Lab Express has been identified as the sole responsible source capable of meeting the government's standards given the specialized nature of the food formulations required and the critical sensitivity of the existing Drosophila colonies to dietary changes. While the notice does not disclose specific contract values or quantities, the base plus four options structure indicates a multi-year commitment with anticipated renewal periods. The government retains discretionary authority to compete the award based on capability statements received from other qualified small businesses, meaning the sole-source intent is not final and procurement may proceed competitively if alternative sources demonstrate equivalent capability.