SAM #SS-75N98026Q00250

NIH Seeks Small Business Sources for BSL-4 Positive Pressure Suits

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking small business sources for BSL-4 positive pressure suits for use in high containment laboratories. - Government Buyer: - National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations (OLAO) - Products/Services Requested: - BSL-4 positive pressure suits (no specific OEMs, part numbers, or quantities provided) - Suits must: - Be resistant to daily quaternary virucidal chemical showers - Include in-line HEPA filtration compatible with facility breathing air systems (Parker quick connections) - Operate at 60 PSI and deliver 25 cfm HEPA-filtered exhaust - Feature air and watertight seams, stocking-type feet - Maintain internal noise levels below OSHA's 90 dB limit for clear communication - Require periodic replacement due to wear - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Only small businesses under NAICS code 315990 are eligible - Suits must integrate with existing facility air systems and meet strict safety and usability standards - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the notice

Description

This is a Sources Sought notice.  This is not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.  The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability of small business sources to meet the requirement.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 315990 with 500 in size standards in number of employees for the required bio-safety level 4 (BSL-4) positive pressure suits.

Due to the nature of work performed in high containment laboratories, BSL-4 positive pressure suits are necessary for the safety of the researchers.  These suits needed periodic replacement due to wear from chemical showers and other daily use.  The BSL-4 positive pressure suits must be made from a material that is resistant to daily quaternary virucidal chemical showers. Each suit must include an in-line HEPA filtration system that connects to a facility provided breathing air system via standard Parker quick connections. The suits must use the air provided at 60 PSI and utilize an internal suit air distribution system to deliver 25 cfm that is HEPA filter exhausted. Air hose hook up shall be on the right side. All seams shall be air and watertight. The suit’s feet must be stocking type that will fit into a shoe or boot; and noise level inside the suit must be below the OSHA standard (OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 90 decibels) and allow clear communication over radio or phone by the user while in the suit.

An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. Any potential offers should respond with their capability statement by 1:00pm eastern standard time (EST), Friday, May 8, 2026, in writing by email to Tonia Alexander at tonia.alexander@nih.gov  with (subject line to reference SS-75N98026Q00250).  Capability statements must demonstrate the ability to provide positive protection suits that meets the minimum requirements listed above as a small business.  Potential offers must indicate their business size within their capability statement.  This is a market survey, not a request for proposals. 

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