How to bid on Medical Gas & Vacuum Systems Maintenance for NIH

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) needs a contractor to provide inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, and related services for medical gas and vacuum systems. This includes laboratory air, instrument air, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), outlets, valves, and alarm systems at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

This is a significant opportunity for a small business to secure a contract with a federal agency for essential services. The work supports uninterrupted patient care and research operations at a major medical facility.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This solicitation was published on July 28, 2026. All responses must be submitted by August 05, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. This is a firm deadline, and late submissions are generally not accepted.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is a total small business set-aside. It is suitable for firms specializing in construction, specifically those with expertise in the inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair of medical gas and vacuum systems. Experience with industry standards like NFPA 99 and ASSE Series 6000 is important.

The contract structure includes a one-year base period, four one-year option periods, and a six-month option period, indicating a long-term engagement for the right contractor.

How to respond

To access the full solicitation documents, you will need to go to the original source on the portal. Click the "View original source" link. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid.

You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required for every bid.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Since this is a Best Value Tradeoff process, your proposal should clearly demonstrate not only your technical capability but also how your approach offers the best overall value to the government, beyond just price. Highlight your firm's specific experience with medical gas and vacuum systems, especially in healthcare or research environments.

Ensure your proposal explicitly addresses compliance with all applicable industry standards, such as NFPA 99 and ASSE Series 6000. Detail your plans for preventive maintenance, emergency response, and planned shutdown support. Provide strong past performance references for similar work.