PathServ_Intent to Sole Source_EPL

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.

The purpose of this announcement is to notify all interested parties that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) intends to extend Contract HHSN273201500014C with Experimental Pathology Laboratories (EPL) on a sole-source basis pursuant to 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The objective is to extend the term of the contract with the award of one (1) 12-month option. This extension will ensure continuation of mission critical research while the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) procurement team continues the to pursue the re-competition of these services under a new cost reimbursement contract.

This notice is being published by NIEHS in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.201 and 5.204 requiring notice of a proposed contract action. This is NOT a request for competitive proposals. The statutory authority for this sole source action is 41 U.S.C.3304(a)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Award is subject to approval of the Justification and Approval for Sole Source (J&A).

BACKGROUND

The current contractor provides Pathology Services to the Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) and Division of Intramural Research (DIR) of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) as well as the interagency National Toxicology Program. This contract performs necropsy, histology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, digital imaging, electron microscopy, molecular pathology, and special pathology investigations; and pathology peer review of toxicology studies performed under other NIEHS R&D contracts, to ensure that final pathology data reported to the public are accurate, consistent and complete. In addition, since pathology results are crucial endpoints for most guideline toxicology studies, there is a need for accuracy and consistency of pathology diagnostic criteria across studies conducted at different times and by different laboratories. The pathology peer-review process conducted under this contract is a rigorous and an integral part of providing high quality pathology data from guideline studies, relying on review by pathology experts. In addition to ensuring accuracy and consistency of the data, pathology peer review can improve the quality of the study by identifying the need for specialized techniques, evaluations, or mechanistic investigations to improve the translation of the study information. Results of this research are made available to the public and used to make decisions regarding the protection of public health. The research supports both DTT’s mission and NIEHS’ overall mission and goals in conducting state-of-the-art scientific research in environmental health science.

EPL is considered the only contractor that has a comprehensive understanding of the current technologies used at NIEHS and can meet the NIEHS and DTT’s needs during the 12-month option. Award to another source during the same period of performance would result in substantial disruption, unnecessary costs to the Government, and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements and could not be expected to be recovered through competition. By utilizing the incumbent contractor for this sole source action, the NIEHS can continue day-to-day operations and avoid disruptions to mission essential work.

Once the Justification and Approval for Sole Source (J&A) is approved, this action will add by modification an option to extend the period of performance of contract HHSN273201500014C for 12 months. The revised period of performance will be from 28 July 2025 through 27 July 2026. This extension will increase the contract value accordingly. The current contractor, ILS is considered the only contractor that can meet the NIEHS and DDT’s needs during the extension’s period of performance.

Notwithstanding the stated intent, if firms believe they can fully meet the Government's requirement they may submit a written capabilities statement (NOT TO EXCEED 3 PAGES). The capabilities statement must contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement and must be received by the response date listed in this posting. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. NIEHS will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice.

Questions regarding this notice can be sent via email to Ms. Julie Bardo at Julie.bardo@nih.gov. ONLY EMAIL RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Thank you for your interest in NIEHS Procurements.