Reagents and consumables for Roche immunostainers

The National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute is preparing to procure reagents and consumables for Roche immunostainers under a small business sources sought notice, with capability statements due October 28, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EST. The notice evaluates potential set-aside eligibility for 8(a) small businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Woman-owned Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Businesses, though no set-aside has been pre-determined.

The Laboratory of Pathology at Cancer Center Research operates four Ventana Medical Systems Benchmark ULTRA immunostainers requiring proprietary reagents exclusively from Roche Diagnostics; generic reagents are incompatible with the equipment. The laboratory processes approximately 80 percent of its slide volume on these systems and has validated over 300 different antibodies in compliance with College of American Pathologists accreditation and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA-88) requirements.

The contemplated contract structure is Firm-Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity with a base performance period from December 1, 2026 through November 30, 2027, plus four option years extending through November 30, 2031. Primary requirements include latest-generation reagents and consumables with expiration dates exceeding 12 months, overnight shipping at no cost (except expedited shipments), software upgrades within one month of release at no cost, and consultation services from Roche scientists and engineers. Delivery must occur within five days of task order receipt to Bethesda, Maryland, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

Interested small businesses must submit capability statements not exceeding seven pages to Luz Casey at Luz.Casey@nih.gov, including company information, point of contact, UEI number, and professional qualifications demonstrating capability to fulfill requirements. The government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt or provide feedback.