Presolicitation Notice to Sole Source for Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc. (EPL)

Pre-Solicitation

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

Contracting Activity: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), Water, Tribal, and Science Division (WTSD)

Description of Services: 

The EPA requires histology and pathology services of maternal and neonatal rodent specimen organs at the US EPA Headquarters, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20460.

Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc. (EPL) experience in the toxicologic pathology of environmental contaminants — including PFAS, phthalates, air pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting compounds — is highly relevant to the scope of this acquisition. EPA and other federal research offices have a long history of contracting histopathology services with EPL. Consequently, EPL has extensive experience meeting EPA’s Quality Assurance (QA) Program requirements. Its laboratories comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations and have passed GLP inspections by the FDA and EPA in the past decade. Importantly, the work proposed under this acquisition continues several larger studies previously processed and evaluated. Deviations from established protocols are unacceptable within the same or related studies, as they introduce unknown errors and compromise data integrity. Finally, EPL is a local vendor, allowing the program office to hand-deliver delicate samples in fixative (no shipping).

This acquisition is anticipated to be a firm-fixed purchase order. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541714 – Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology). The product and service code (PSC) is AZ11 – R&D-Other Research and Development.

Acquisition Procedures:

The EPA intends to award a sole source purchase order to EPL in accordance with RFO FAR 6.103-1(b) and simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with FAR part 12. The sole source justification will be made publicly available in accordance with RFO FAR 6.301.

EPL is the only known source able to satisfy this requirement. Notwithstanding, in accordance with RFO FAR 5.101(c)(4)(vi), responsible sources may elect to submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation.  A determination not to compete the proposed firm-fixed-price contract based upon the responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses to this notice must be submitted to the contracting officer, Paige Long, at long.paige@epa.gov  no later than November 30, 2026. Telephone responses will not be honored. Estimated award date is December 3, 2026. 

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