Medical Marijuana Program Compliance Testing

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a medical marijuana program compliance testing laboratory through a noncompetitive procurement for Cass County and statewide services. The primary objective is to secure laboratory services that meet specific regulatory requirements outlined in North Dakota Administrative Code sections 33-44-01-42, 33-44-01-43, and 33-44-01-44. Required qualifications for the laboratory include being located within North Dakota, obtaining ISO 17025 accreditation, becoming operational by July 1, 2025, and ensuring staff can successfully pass criminal background checks. The procurement is specifically targeting a laboratory that can perform comprehensive medical marijuana compliance testing, with manufacturing facilities being responsible for direct payment of testing costs. Key submission details mandate that interested vendors electronically submit their responses through the State Procurement Office Online system by April 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM Central Time, with specific file upload requirements and constraints.

The procurement appears to be targeted exclusively at Adams Independent Testing, LLC, as the Notice of Intent suggests a noncompetitive purchase approach. There are no explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the documentation. The contract will become effective upon execution and is initially structured to expire on June 30, 2027, with potential renewal options extending until June 30, 2031. While specific award values are not directly stated, the procurement indicates that the Department of Health and Human Services will negotiate a standardized pricing structure for each test, which manufacturing facilities will be required to pay directly. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has noted that currently only one laboratory in the state conducts similar testing services (in this case, for hemp), which appears to further justify the noncompetitive procurement approach for medical marijuana compliance testing.