Animal Bedding

This Sources‑Sought notice seeks qualified small‑business vendors capable of supplying screened hardwood laboratory animal bedding (beech, birch, or maple) that meets strict chemical, microbial, and physical specifications for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The agency is evaluating market interest to structure an IDIQ contract that will provide up to nine truckloads (≈ 11,700 bags) per ordering period over a five‑year performance window. • Product must be screened hardwood bedding, 25 lb per bag, packaged in new two‑wall paper bags, shrink‑wrapped on pallets, and meet dust, moisture, particle‑size, and contaminant limits (e.g., aflatoxin ≤ 20 ppb, heavy metals ≤ 0.5 ppm). • Contractor must conduct independent chemical testing and provide a 2‑lb sample for microbial testing to NIEHS QA before each delivery; scoring ≥ 95 points required for acceptance. • Deliveries are FOB Destination to the NIEHS warehouse in Research Triangle Park, NC, within a 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. window, with 24‑hour advance notice; each truckload contains ~1,300 bags (~52 pallets). • The contract will be a small‑business‑only IDIQ (one‑year base plus up to four optional years) with optional six‑month extensions; the agency may set‑aside the award based on responses. • Interested vendors must submit a capability statement (max 7 pages) by Nov 6 2026, 2 p.m. EST, to Lynda Cole, including small‑business certifications, manufacturing plant IPM program, and packaging details.