Preclinical Medications Discovery and Abuse Liability Testing
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) / National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has issued a Small Business Sources Sought (SBSS) notice for Preclinical Medications Discovery and Abuse Liability Testing. This market research aims to identify qualified small businesses capable of performing in vivo rodent and primate pharmacology studies for substance use disorders and abuse liability testing of new drugs. Responses are due June 12, 2026.
Scope of Work
This requirement supports NIDA's Addiction Treatment Discovery Program (ATDP) and provides data for DEA drug scheduling. Capable organizations must demonstrate in-house capability for:
- In vivo rodent and primate pharmacology studies on potential pharmacotherapies and new drugs of abuse.
- Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedures.
- Evaluating compounds for effects on opioid and nicotine withdrawal in rodents.
- Assessing compound effects on non-reinforced operant responding.
- Conducting in vivo receptor activity assays.
- Establishing and maintaining security protocols for blinded test compounds.
- Maintaining chronological logs of compound receipt and evaluation.
Respondents must possess or obtain a DEA registration for Schedule I-V substances and comply with the NIH Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, including Animal Welfare Assurances.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (SBSS)
- NAICS Code: 541715 – Physical science research and development laboratories or services (except biotechnology and nanotechnology research and development)
- Size Standard: 1,000 employees
- Set-Aside: Small Business (including HUBZone, SDVOSB, 8(a), VOSB, WOSB, SDB)
- Response Due: June 12, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Published: May 28, 2026
- Agency: Health And Human Services / NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH / NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIDA
Submission Requirements
Interested small businesses must submit a capability statement (limited to 20 pages, excluding cover/executive summary/references) addressing:
- Experience: Outline of previous similar projects and techniques.
- Personnel: Names, professional qualifications, and specific experience in the requested work and research field.
- Organizational Capability: Ability to administer and coordinate interrelated tasks.
- Documentation: Contracts (government/commercial), references, awards.
- Administrative: UEI, organization name, address, point of contact, and business size/type.
Submissions must reference announcement number 75N98026R00083 and be sent electronically to Josh.Lazarus@nih.gov. This is for market research only and does not guarantee a solicitation or award.