BALB/cJ and C57BL/6J Mice to Support Different Infection Models

The Department of Defense, specifically the Combat Wound Infections Division at the Naval Medical Research Command, intends to award a Blanket Purchase Agreement to Charles River Laboratories and The Jackson Laboratory for the procurement of specific laboratory mice. This requirement includes up to 5,160 specific-pathogen-free female mice of the BALB/cJ and C57BL/6J strains, aged 49–56 days and weighing 12–16 grams. These animals must be free from infectious diseases and have received no prior systemic or topical antimicrobials. The mice will support approximately 43 in vivo experiments scheduled for performance in Silver Spring, Maryland, between August 2026 and August 2027.

This sole-source acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. The Naval Medical Research Command requires these exact sources because the planned studies are continuations of ongoing research with established baselines and control determinations using mice from these specific vendors. Utilizing alternative breeders would introduce phenotypic and genotypic variation that would invalidate historical data and jeopardize research integrity. Furthermore, these vendors are currently approved by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

This notice is classified under NAICS 112990, All Other Animal Production, and PSC 8820, LIVE ANIMALS, NOT RAISED FOR FOOD. There is no set-aside designated for this action. While this is a notice of intent rather than a request for competitive proposals, firms may submit a capability statement by June 19, 2026, to the contracting officer, Priscilla Vania Harrison, demonstrating their ability to provide the exact genetic strains and proof of approval by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. The solicitation number for this notice is N32398NOI.