Bid guide
How to bid on a Farrar Cyclone Forced Air Ultra-Low Freezer for NIH
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is looking for a Farrar Cyclone Forced Air Ultra-Low Freezer, Model FCF133 (33 cubic feet). This includes delivery, installation, and a manufacturer service plan. The freezer is for the Department of Transfusion Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, where it will store supplies, reagents, and blood products for patient care.
This is an opportunity for businesses that can provide an equivalent ultra-low temperature freezer that meets all regulatory and licensing requirements for storing critical laboratory and blood products.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The deadline for submitting capability statements is August 15, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).
This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a request for competitive quotations or proposals. The NIH intends to award a sole-source purchase order to Helmer. However, if your firm can provide an equivalent product, your capability statement will be evaluated to determine if a competitive procurement should be conducted instead.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for manufacturers or distributors of refrigeration equipment, specifically ultra-low temperature freezers. Firms should specialize in or have experience with equipment that meets stringent regulatory and licensing requirements for medical and laboratory storage.
The relevant NAICS code is 333415, which covers Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing. The Product Service Code (PSC) is 4110 for Refrigeration Equipment.
How to respond
To respond, you must submit a capability statement electronically. This statement should demonstrate your ability to provide an equivalent product that meets all technical, regulatory, and performance requirements outlined in the notice.
Ensure your submission clearly references POTS No. 26-006077. The point of contact for this opportunity is Shasheshe Goolsby, Team Leader, Hospital and Laboratory Support Division, Office of Acquisitions and Logistics Management, National Institutes of Health. You can reach them via email.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
When preparing your capability statement, focus on how your product directly matches or exceeds the specifications of the Farrar Cyclone Forced Air Ultra-Low Freezer, Model FCF133 (33 cu. ft.). Clearly detail how your offering includes delivery, installation, and a manufacturer service plan.
Emphasize your product's compliance with all applicable regulatory and licensing requirements for storing critical laboratory supplies, reagents, and blood products. Provide specific examples or certifications if possible. Since the agency cited Helmer as an industry leader, highlight any similar industry recognition or specialized experience your firm has in transfusion medicine storage equipment.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Health and Human Services, Department of; the original posting controls.