TITLE: Individually Ventilated Cage Rack

OPDIV: FDA, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability of potential small businesses (e.g., 8(a), service-disabled veteran owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, veteran-owned small business, and women-owned small business) in accordance with FAR 7.104(d).  The potential small business will need to demonstrate the capability to perform all facets of the work described below. 

The sole intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain capabilities for set-aside and procurement planning purposes.  This is not an invitation for bid, request for proposal, or other solicitation, and in no way obligates the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to award a contract. 

BACKGROUND

The Division of Drug Safety Research (DDSR) OTR/OPS/CDER is developing a research program to evaluate the usefulness of humanized mice (HM) for regulatory purposes. The HM are created by surgical implantation of human tissue into mice that have multiple genetic mutations that block the development of the mouse immune system at a very early stage. The mice used are severely immune compromised and must be worked with in a sterile environment to prevent them from contracting opportunistic infections.

As part of this process DDSR needs to purchase individually ventilated cage racks to house the mice.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

Contractors must respond to all of the following points by describing your experience and capabilities in the areas listed below:

1.) Ability to produce and deliver one (1) Rack of individually ventilated cages (IVC), double sided, with a total of 140-160 cages (70-80) per side, with the following salient characteristics:

a.) Cage is fully HEPA filtered at 0.2 micron

b.) Noise level below 50 decibels (dBA)

c.) No ultrasonic noise

d.) Air speed of less than 0.2 meters/second (at animal level)

e.) Total of 70-80 air changes per hour

f.) Cages made of Polyphenilsulfone (preferred) or Polysulfone

g.) External water bottle

h.) HEPA filtration unit operates at 0.2 micron

2.) Ability to produce/deliver one (1) HEPA filtration unit (not ducted to room) to provide air changes to IVC

3.) Ability to produce/deliver between one hundred and forty to one hundred and sixty (140-160) Cages and water bottles to operate above equipment.

Please note that the contractor shall be responsible for assembly of all equipment.

Capability statements must demonstrate the minimum requirements outlined above. Please address each in the order listed above.

Please provide the follow Business information:

1. DUNS Number
2. Company Name
3. Company Address.
4. Company Point of Contact, phone number and email address
5. Type of company under NAICS, as validated via the System for Award Management (SAM).  Additional information on NAICS codes can be found at www.sba.gov.  Any potential government contract must be registered on the SAM located at http://www.sam.gov/index.asp.  
6. Corporate structure (corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, professional corporation, etc.);
7. Current GSA Schedules appropriate to this Sources Sought
8. Current Government Wide Agency Contracts (GWACs)
9. Point of Contact, phone number and email address of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses.

Interested parties having the capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements may submit capability statements via email or regular mail to the point of contact listed below.  Responses shall be limited to 10 pages.

Responses must be received not later than 12:00 PM Noon EST, July 12th, 2013. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date.

Documentation should be emailed to: [email protected]