SOURCES SOUGHT
88 -- Class A Breeding Program for Random Source Dogs for NIH-Supported Research
- Notice Date
- 4/30/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 112990
— All Other Animal Production
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Rockledge Dr. Bethesda, MD, Office of Acquisitions, 6701 Rockledge Dr RKL2/6100 MSC 7902, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-7902
- ZIP Code
- 20892-7902
- Solicitation Number
- NHLBI-PB(HL)-2010-157-MKL
- Archive Date
- 5/29/2010
- Point of Contact
- Melissa K. Lombardo, Phone: (301) 435-0370
- E-Mail Address
-
ml363x@nih.gov
(ml363x@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This Sources Sought Notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on part of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified small business concerns [including Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), Woman-owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses, Veteran-owned Small Businesses (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB] that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. The NHLBI does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. As a result of this Sources Sought Notice, the NHLBI may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP). THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NHLBI shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NHLBI's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. The NHLBI is seeking capability statements from all eligible small business concerns [particularly Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), Woman-owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses, Veteran-owned Small Businesses (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB)] under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 112990 with a size standard of $0.75M. Based on the responses received from this SOURCES SOUGHT announcement, the proposed acquisition may be solicited as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. All eligible small business concerns responding to this Sources Sought Notice must have the capabilities to provide research dogs that meet the qualifications described below. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA), for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is seeking information related to the interest and capacity of small businesses, private companies, foundations, and academic institutions to breed and raise research canines that have specific characteristics necessary for NIH-supported research activities that are currently obtained through Class B dealers. A requirement that is to follow will be to supply research animals from sources alternative to Class B dealers. NIH-supported researchers study basic biological processes and a wide range of diseases, thus expanding our knowledge of the origins and causes of disease. Many medical advances that enhance the lives of both humans and animals originate from animal studies. The types of animals used in research are chosen for their similarity to humans in anatomy, physiology, and/or genetics. This research can lead to insights into how to prevent, treat, and cure human diseases, and often the treatments developed can also be used to improve the health of animals. Most dogs used in biomedical research are either "purpose-bred" for research by licensed commercial breeders (Class A dealers), or bred and raised in research colonies. Some research dogs and cats, commonly referred to as "random source" animals, are provided by licensed Class B dealers. These dealers acquire dogs and cats from random sources such as individual owners, small hobby breeders, and pounds and shelters. The public has expressed concern about the humane treatment of animals acquired for use in biomedical research, particularly that of random source dogs that are obtained from pounds and shelters and may have come from the general pet population. The use of random source animals in NIH-funded research is limited; however, the genetic variability and phenotypic characteristics of random source animals are essential for continued scientific progress in several critical health areas. For example, these animals are often larger and/or older animals (especially useful for the study of heart disease). In some chronic cardiovascular studies, highly instrumented dogs are needed to run on a treadmill. These studies require a very tractable, mature dog, which given the level of instrumentation, should be large and broad-chested animals. Tractability and maturity in research animals are necessary for at least two reasons: (1) when instruments are placed in young animals they are likely to move and be displaced as the animals grow and mature; and, (2) immature and poor social behavior in young animals is more difficult to condition to research protocols. Most Class A bred dogs are sold at 6 - 7 months of age; and mature by approximately 2 years of age. Additionally, the blood volume of small, immature animals severely limits the amount of blood that can be sampled for chronic longitudinal hemodynamic and neurohormonal studies. The most common NIH-supported studies that require animals with the characteristics described above are related to cardiovascular and transplant research. Other projects include, but are not limited to, diabetes and studies of the skeletal system. At this time, Class A dealers report having limited additional animals available with the genetic diversity, conformation, size, age and temperament necessary for these types of research. Thus, without access to animals with these characteristics, vital research could be discontinued and potentially jeopardize breakthroughs necessary for improving human health. The NIH is assessing alternative sources for dogs currently supplied to NIH-researchers by Class B dealers. Supplementing Class A breeders appears to be a possible option for providing a guaranteed source of animals comparable to those historically provided by Class B random source dealers. Other entities may also have the ability to breed and raise, to maturity, dogs that are large (approximately 25-35 kg.), short haired, barrel-chested, out-bred hounds or mongrels that are socialized and tractable. The NIH is interested in identifying multiple sources of these research animals, with a total capacity for providing 1,100 dogs/year. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), on behalf of the NIH, requests capability statements from entities including, but not limited to, small businesses, private companies, foundations, and academic institutions, that will not fall within the Class B Dealer category, interested in supplying research dogs that meet the above qualifications. In addition to capability statements, the NIH is interested in the following information: 1) Estimate of currently available research canines that are mature, large (approximately 25-35 kg.), short haired, barrel-chested, out-bred hounds or mongrels that are socialized and tractable. Estimate of annual number of canines that could be supplied, on an ongoing basis, over the next three to four years; 2) Current availability of infrastructure/facilities necessary to breed, whelp, raise, house and supply these types of animals and estimate of how many animals could be accommodated; 3) Current availability of infrastructure/facilities and staff necessary to socialize and train dogs so that they will be tractable for research studies; 4) Source of veterinary care and manner by which animal welfare oversight will be assured; 5) If facilities are not currently available, the timeline and estimated cost for construction of facilities that would support in 3 - 4 years between 250-400 animals per year, per vendor; 6) Estimate of cost per animal for a mature, large (approximately 25-35 kg.), short haired, barrel-chested, out-bred hounds or mongrels that are socialized and tractable over a 3-4 year time course broken down by year; 7) Current USDA dealer status; and, 8) Any other information that you may deem relevant to this issue. Interested parties are expected to review this notice to familiarize yourself with the requirements of this project; failure to do so will be at your firm's own risk. Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored capability statement for this requirement that clearly details the ability to perform the aspects of the notice described above. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Statements should also include an indication of current certified small business status; this indication should be clearly marked on the first page of the capability statement (preferably placed under the eligible small business concern's name and address). Responses will be reviewed only by NIH personnel and will be held in a confidential manner. All capability statements sent in response to this Sources Sought Notice must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) to Ms. Melissa K. Lombardo, at lombardm@nhlbi.nih.gov in either MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), by May 14, 2010, 3:30 p.m., E.S.T. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NHLBI/NHLBI-PB(HL)-2010-157-MKL/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
- Zip Code: 20892
- Zip Code: 20892
- Record
- SN02137158-W 20100502/100430235259-220bbd6726ec333d3aa3e106cf5e6c3d (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |