Ongoing Drosophila Food Regimen
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Division of Intramural Research (DIR), has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to award a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order on a sole source basis to Lab Express LLC for precisely formulated Drosophila food. This requirement supports ongoing research studies at NIH in Bethesda, MD. While an intended sole source, interested small businesses are invited to submit capability statements. Responses are due by 10:00 a.m. EST on May 8, 2026.
Scope of Work
This requirement is for the provision of precisely formulated Drosophila food, essential for maintaining consistency in research studies utilizing Drosophila as a model organism. Key deliverables include:
- Weekly shipments of the specialized food.
- Provision for ad-hoc and emergency shipments as needed.
- Ensuring the food formulation remains consistent with what Lab Express LLC has supplied since FY17.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order
- Period of Performance: Base year plus four option years, from September 29, 2026, to September 28, 2031.
- Set-Aside: Intended sole source to Lab Express LLC under FAR Part 6.302-1. However, capability statements are requested from small businesses (8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, VOSB, WOSB) to determine if competition is warranted.
- Response Due: May 8, 2026, by 10:00 a.m. EST
- Published: April 24, 2026
- Anticipated Award: Approximately ten days after the notice date.
Submission & Evaluation
This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. The government will review capability statements submitted by interested small businesses to determine if any other responsible source can meet the requirement. The decision to pursue competition will be made solely by the government.
Additional Notes
Capability statements should be emailed to Lynda.Cole@nih.gov. The primary contact for this opportunity is Luz Casey (luz.casey@nih.gov).