Pre-Solicitation Notice

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the National Institutes of Health, is seeking a contractor to produce, maintain, and distribute aneuploid mice models for Down syndrome research, with particular emphasis on models of human trisomy 21. The contractor must maintain at least 30 breeding pairs of key strains including Ts65Dn, Dup(16)Yey, TcMAC21, and Ts66Yah, and supply approximately 1,200-2,400 mice annually to qualified researchers. Core requirements include acquiring new strains in consultation with government representatives, establishing a quarterly external Scientific Advisory Board, evaluating fertility and breeding protocols, conducting pathogen testing, and characterizing clinical and neurobehavioral phenotypes. The contractor must also publicize detailed strain information including genotype, husbandry conditions, and phenotypic characteristics, and distribute mice to both NIH-funded and non-NIH-funded researchers, with approximately 75-80% supplied to federally funded investigators at no charge except for shipping and handling. The RFP (75N94026R00006) will be available electronically via SAM.gov on or about April 14, 2026, with proposals due on or about June 1, 2026, and all inquiries should be directed to Gisele Beaudoin (Contract Specialist) at gisele.beaudoin@nih.gov or Gannon White (Contracting Officer) at gannon.white@nih.gov.

This procurement carries no set-aside designation and will be awarded as a single cost-reimbursement contract through full and open competition. The performance period begins on or about September 25, 2026, with a one-year base period and four optional one-year renewal periods for a total potential duration of five years. The contract is classified under NAICS 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology) and PSC AN12 (Health R&D Services). No specific budget range or award value has been disclosed in this pre-solicitation notice. All offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) Database to be eligible for award.