26-0534 BRAND ONLY_Sigma-Aldrich/Cerilliant_BID DUE 6-2-2026

The State of California is soliciting bids through Request for Bids (RFB) 26200957-1 for the procurement of brand name only Sigma-Aldrich/Cerilliant drug standards, controls, and reagents designated as contract opportunity 26-0534. This procurement is restricted to products manufactured exclusively by Sigma-Aldrich/Cerilliant, with no consideration of equivalent alternative products permitted. The drug standards and laboratory reagents being procured are forensic or laboratory-grade reference materials utilized for pharmaceutical testing, drug analysis, and quality control applications within California's laboratory testing protocols. Bidders are required to submit comprehensive unit pricing for multiple line items and quantities of specified Sigma-Aldrich and Cerilliant products on the included price sheet, establishing a cost-effective contract vehicle for the state to obtain critical laboratory supplies on an as-needed basis. All bidders must complete and submit mandatory forms contained in the Purchasing Required Forms appendix, including a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Form demonstrating their status as a certified business enterprise, along with a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA) Contractor Acknowledgement confirming compliance with federal privacy and security regulations regarding the handling of protected health information. The solicitation was posted on May 11, 2026, with bids due by May 27, 2026, allowing interested vendors a sixteen-day response window to prepare and submit their proposals.

The procurement includes set-aside provisions for certified business enterprises, with the CBE Form serving as a mandatory component of the bid submission package for vendors seeking to claim such status in accordance with California's certification standards. The brand name only designation reflects the state's determination that these specific Sigma-Aldrich/Cerilliant products are essential for laboratory operations and that no acceptable substitutes exist, thereby justifying the restriction on competition and ensuring consistency and compatibility with California's existing laboratory protocols, equipment, and regulatory compliance requirements. The HIPAA BAA acknowledgement requirement indicates that the successful contractor will handle sensitive health information and must implement appropriate safeguards for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information throughout the contract term. No incumbent vendors, existing contractors, or specific award values or budget ranges are identified in the available solicitation documents. The procurement framework is designed to provide California with specialized laboratory materials meeting established quality and reliability standards essential for pharmaceutical testing and forensic analysis operations.