Bid guide
How to bid on Replacement of Hanging Cage Systems with Freestanding Animal Housing Racks for NIH
What the NIH is buying and why it matters
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) needs a contractor to design, custom-fabricate, deliver, install, test, and provide training for freestanding animal housing rack systems. These new racks will replace existing hanging cage infrastructure at the NIH's Poolesville, Maryland facility.
The new systems must be compatible with existing cages and water connections, house at least 32 primates per holding room, and include waste pans, corrosion-resistant materials, and high-temperature casters. This is a full-and-open opportunity for a single firm-fixed-price award. For vendors, this is a chance to provide specialized equipment and services to a major federal research institution.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This solicitation was published on September 08, 2026. Quotations are due by September 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. The overall deadline for this opportunity is September 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. It is crucial to submit your quotation by the September 12th deadline to be considered.
Late submissions may not be accepted. Ensure all required documentation and pricing are included in your submission.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms specializing in custom fabrication of metal products, particularly those with experience in laboratory equipment and animal housing systems. The applicable NAICS code is 332999, All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing, and the Product Service Code is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.
Vendors should have the capability to design, fabricate, deliver, install, and provide training for complex, specialized equipment within a laboratory animal environment. Experience with animal welfare regulations and standards, such as the Animal Welfare Act and AAALAC-related requirements, is also beneficial.
How to respond to this solicitation
To access the solicitation, you will need to view the original source on the portal. Click the 'View original source' link. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.
You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all documents, though for some bids this is not necessary. Once you have accessed the solicitation, prepare your quotation according to the instructions provided in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) document, solicitation number PCA-ORS-09460.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
Carefully review the Statement of Work to ensure your proposed solution meets all compatibility and performance requirements, including specific cage dimensions, facility clearances, and material specifications. Pay close attention to the requirement for a prototype rack system and its approval before full production.
Clearly detail your project coordination plan, including how you will minimize disruption to animal care operations during delivery and installation. Provide a comprehensive project schedule, equipment drawings, specifications, and an installation plan. Highlight your experience with similar projects and your understanding of applicable laboratory animal care standards.
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 National Institutes of Health; the original posting controls.