VETERINARY SERVICES

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center (CBC) Veterinary Services

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 10.001(b) for the purpose of conducting market research. This RFI is not a solicitation, request for proposal, or request for prototype proposals. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting a response to this RFI. No telephone calls, office calls, or one-on-one meetings will be accepted or conducted as a result of this notice.

All responses, questions, and comments shall be submitted via email to the following only:

•Samuel Vogelhut (Contract Specialist) – samuel.j.vogelhut.civ@army.mil
• Sarah Richardson (Contract Specialist) - sarah.h.richardson3.civ@army.mil
• Elizabeth Nordell Contracting Officer) – elizabeth.m.nordell.civ@army.mil

Responses are due June 3rd, 2026 at 10:00 AM Eastern. All submissions shall be provided in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, or PDF compatible format. Proprietary information must be clearly marked and segregated. A confirmation email will be sent upon Government receipt. If no confirmation is received, please follow-up.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY

All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Respondents shall provide a brief description on how they plan to develop, improve, or advance existing materials, for the identified applications as well as any anticipated technical parameters of their product (or conceptual product). Validation can include historical, literature data or relationship with current Department of War (DoW) researchers. Validation can also include investment from interagency past programs.

1.0 PURPOSE

DEVCOM CBC is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing Veterinary Services to its Threat Agent Sciences Division (TASD). DEVCOM CBC TASD provides CBRNE defense research that enhances fundamental knowledge and understanding of chemical and biological threat agents and executes the DEVCOM CBC Animal Care and Use Program (Animal Program), providing research support for intramural scientists. 

The Government intends to use the information received to refine requirements, assess technology readiness, and inform future acquisition planning. This RFI does not commit the Government to any future procurement.

2.0 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

TASD requires services for proper care, use, and humane treatment of laboratory animals. Functions include veterinary medicine, animal care and husbandry, veterinary technical support, data management, cage and environment sanitation, routine maintenance of animal care equipment, animal transportation, and logistical support.  Support is to be provided for projects involving the full range of toxicological research and related disciplines.

DEVCOM CBC seeks information on applicable corporate experience your business has with veterinary services in the following areas, and per the draft Performance Work Statement:

          1. Veterinary services consistent with DEVCOM CBC policy for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and the DEVCOM CBC Animal Care and Use Program (Animal Program) and associated SOPs, and that conform to the current, consistent, and new technologies and practices according to AAALAC accreditation standards. This includes Alternate Veterinarian services, as well as Animal Care services for performance of routine husbandry.

          a. Are you able to provide the following staff support to the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland area?

                    i. Board certified DVM/Veterinarian(s) through the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM);

                    ii. Laboratory Animal Caretaker I and/or II/animal husbandry caretaker/veterinary technician/veterinary medical technician/animal health technician with the requirement that they be certified as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) within one year of start of service;

          b. Do you have experience working in a government or university research environment?

          c. What is your familiarity with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide), NRC, 2011; Public Health Service Policy on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), 2015; Army Regulation 40-33, The Care and Use of Laboratory Animals in DOD Programs, 16 February 2005; the Department of Defense Instruction 3216.01, Use of Animals in DoD Conducted and Supported Research and Training, 20 March 2019; and new technologies and practices according to the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) accreditation standards?

          d. What is your experience in reviewing protocols, Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs), and program descriptions?

          e. What is your experience in collaborating with investigators during the development and conduct of toxicological animal research?

          f. What is your experience with handling classified protocols and requirements for personnel to obtain security clearances?

          g. Do you anticipate having sufficient personnel with SECRET level clearances to fulfill the tasks upon start of service?

          h. What experience do the veterinarians have serving on an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?

          i. Are you able to provide substitute personnel to maintain continuous support in times of illness, absence, and/or scheduled vacations?   

          j. What is your experience with assisting with surgical procedures and maintaining a surgical suite (technicians)?

          k. What is your experience in operating equipment such as floor scrubbers, tunnel and rack washers, and autoclaves (technicians)?

          l. Are you able to provide weekend and holiday coverage (technicians)?

          m. Are you able to provide availability 24 hours/day x 7days/week to include by phone for animal emergencies (veterinarians)? 

          n. What is the anticipated timeframe to have in-place all of the personnel able to perform all of the above questions?

3.0 BACKGROUND

DEVCOM CBC Threat Agent Sciences (TAS) Division provides CBRNE defense research that enhances fundamental knowledge and understanding of chemical and biological threat agents and executes the DEVCOM CBC Animal Care and Use Program (Animal Program) that supports the associated toxicological and chemical research and development programs.   

The DEVCOM CBC Animal Program is carried out in over 3,000 square feet of laboratory space, with the facility overseen by a government Animal Facility Manager.

The Animal Program supports multiple, often concurrent, ongoing projects and complies with applicable laboratory animal regulations, laws, guidelines, and standards. It is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), with compliance functions provided by the DEVCOM CBC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The Contractor should be prepared to provide veterinary services as described in the draft Performance Work Statement.

The Government intends to use the information received to refine requirements, assess technology readiness, and inform future acquisition planning. This RFI does not commit the Government to any future procurement.

Place of Performance:

          % On-Site Government 90%

          % Off-Site Contractor 10%

          DEVCOM CBC Locations: primarily APG, MD.

4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

Respondents shall address the following items in Arial 12‑point font, in no more than five (5) pages total, excluding Section 1, Business Information. Responses shall be submitted in Microsoft Word–compatible or PDF format. A 10‑slide PowerPoint presentation may also be submitted but is not required and does not count toward the page limit.

4.1 Business Information. Provide the following:

          Company name

          Address

          Point of Contact with phone number and email address

          Business size (Large or Small), using the size standard under NAICS 541940 (Veterinary Services) unless another NAICS is justified (see SBA Size Standards: https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards)

          State any small business representation (8(a), SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB,

                    SDVOSB, etc.) and provide certification of such status

4.2 Technical Capability. Address your ability to meet the technical requirements in the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). Identify any gaps your company has related to technical capability.

          1. Can you meet the required capabilities? Please provide a Capabilities statement or a Brief Narrative explaining why.

          2. Can you exceed these requirements? If so, how and why is this an additional benefit to the Government?

          3. Is there any information that is confusing or needs to be added, as the Government wants to ensure our requirements are understood to the maximum extent practicable.

                    i. Please provide input on the draft PWS as a whole and if there are any ambiguities. .

          4. Please describe any experience your business has with providing veterinary services consistent with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide), NRC, 2011; Public Health Service Policy on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), 2015; Army Regulation 40-33, The Care and Use of Laboratory Animals in DOD Programs, 16 February 2005; the Department of Defense Instruction 3216.01, Use of Animals in DoD Conducted and Supported Research and Training, 20 March 2019; and new technologies and practices according to the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) accreditation standards.

          5. Is your company a large or small business? Please provide Small Business Status(es) if not stated on capabilities statement. Please also state any designations such as 8(a), WOSB, HUBZONE and/or SDVOSB.

          6. Would you consider submitting a proposal for this effort?

4.3 Special Requirements. If a contract is awarded, the contractor shall be required to comply with the following requirements:

          a. Personnel and Facility Security Clearances. The contractor shall have personnel cleared to Secret. A DD Form 254 Contract Security Classification Specification shall apply to this requirement, and the prime contractor shall have or demonstrate ability to obtain Secret Facility Clearance.

          b. An approved Property Management System in accordance with FAR 52.245-1(b)(1) as the result of potential government furnished property (GFP), ex, laptops,

          c. Information Technology (IT) (e.g. Clinger-Cohen Act)

          d. Service Contract Act

          e. American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) accreditation standards

          f. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee/Oversight Body (IACUC/OB) Policy

          g. DEVCOM CBC Animal Care and Use Program (Animal Program) 

          h. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 for CUI/CUI involving Controlled Technical Information.

4.4 Relevant Past Performance. Provide up to three examples of similar work, including:

• Contract number
• Prime or subcontractor role
• Dollar value
• Period of performance
• Relevance to this requirement

4.5 Accounting System. State whether you possess—or can and are willing to obtain—a DCAA‑approved accounting system. Address whether a cost‑reimbursable contract type would be required or useful to mature your product into an end‑user‑ready capability.

4.6 Purchasing System. State whether you or a potential teaming partner possess a purchasing system compliant with RFO DFARS 252.244‑7998 (DEV 2026-O0015).

4.7 Facility Clearance. State what, if any, facility clearance level your company currently possesses (e.g., Confidential, Secret, Top Secret).

4.8 Additional Information. Provide any additional information relevant to DEVCOM’s market research.

5.0 Industry Engagement. Neither ACC nor DEVCOM CBC will conduct one‑on‑one meetings during the RFI period. Questions will be collected as a result of this posting and addressed accordingly. Participation in this RFI is not required for participation in any future solicitation.