Repository Services for NIAID DIR Off-Site Freezers and Specimens

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT AND NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS

This notice is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.101(a)(1) requiring the dissemination of information regarding proposed contract actions. This is a Notice of Intent to award a sole source, firm-fixed price Federal Supply Schedule task order which includes open market services under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Service Will Satisfy Agency Requirements and is not a request for competitive quotes. 

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Fishers BioServices, Inc., located at14665 Rothgeb Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850. UEI LB4PCGLSJ9E6.

Service Information                                                                             

In the 1980s, NIAID’s Division of Intramural Research (DIR) established a freezer repository to archive and redistribute study-generated resources from designated clinical studies. This repository simplifies access and ensures that biospecimens are stored under uniform conditions. The freezer repository is critical to the scientific integrity of ongoing and future studies at NIAID DIR. Many biomedical research specimens stored at this facility are from research studies that were conducted over multiple decades and are vital part of current and ongoing scientific studies.

This acquisition will provide off-site storage, maintenance, and monitoring of biological specimens for the NIAID DIR freezer repository. The repository consists of both Government-owned and contractor-owned cryogenic equipment located at Fisher BioServices facilities. The required repository services include oversight of 29 upright ultra-low temperature freezers, seven liquid nitrogen storage tanks, and approximately four shelves of ambient storage for biomedical research specimens preserved in formalin and paraffin. Repository services also include the resources necessary to accommodate the pick-up and delivery of biological specimens. The repository must be located within the Washington, D.C. metro area. Specimen pick-up and delivery of materials are not within the scope of this acquisition.

Period of Performance

The required period of performance is from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541380: Testing Laboratory, which has a size standard of $19.0 million. Fisher BioServices, Inc. is classified as other than a small business.

This will be the only notice of the Government's intent to solicit, negotiate, and award to one source to satisfy this requirement. The Government plans to award a contract for this requirement within 15 days of this notice.

While this synopsis does not constitute a solicitation, interested vendors may identify their interest and capability to satisfy this requirement. The Government understands that Fisher BioServices, Inc. is the only vendor which can provide the requested services for NIAID. However, firms that believe they can provide the capability required to fully meet the Government's requirement may submit a capabilities statement, including past performance, in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this notice. Such documentation shall be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit offers on NOI-NIAID-25-2256675.

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for any information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

For additional information or to submit responses, please contact Tamara McDermott, Contracting Officer, at tamara.mcdermott@nih.gov.