FBODaily.com | FedBizOpps: SRCSGT | 66 | Non-Human Primate Housing Units

FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF JULY 10, 2014 FBO #4611
SOURCES SOUGHT

66 -- Non-Human Primate Housing Units

Notice Date: 7/8/2014
Notice Type: Sources Sought
NAICS: 332999 — All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Contracting Office: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
ZIP Code: 20892
Solicitation Number: HHS-NIH-NIDA(SSSA)-SBSS-14-404
Archive Date: 8/7/2014
Point of Contact: Paul C. Marsalese, Phone: 3015941971
E-Mail Address: paul.marsalese@nih.gov
(paul.marsalese@nih.gov)
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Description: Contracting Office Address: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions Branch, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59 Bethesda, MD 20892. Introduction: This is a Small Business 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 and capability of qualified sources that includes; (1) small business sources; (2) HubZone small businesses; (3) service-disabled small businesses; (4) veteran-owned small businesses; (5) 8(a) small businesses; (6) veteran-owned small businesses; (7) woman-owned small businesses; and (8) small disadvantaged businesses; who can perform the requirements of the size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as specified below. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. The notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. The information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a small business social-economic set-aside, competitive or non-competitive method is possible, and to determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government's requirement. ALL Small Business organizations with the capability and availability to perform the requirement under the applicable NAICS code are invited to submit a response to this notice. NORTH AMERICAN CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE The NAICS code applicable to this requirement is 332999 - All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing and the associated small business size standard of 750 employees. Purpose and Objectives for the Procurement: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Central Animal Facility requires new racking/caging systems which will replace older, worn and damaged caging, as well as caging that no longer conforms to current social housing standards and requirements. This program is unique because the research supported utilizes awake, behaving non-human primates, which are routinely removed from their cage using a pole and collar technique. This technique requires modifications to the cage design to facilitate the movement of the animal and to protect both the handler and animal. Project Requirements (Statement of Work): The units which will be used to house nonhuman primates, of Groups 3 through 5, in accordance with the requirements of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, ILAR/NRC, 2011. Consideration of rack designs to house nonhuman primates must take the following essential characteristics into consideration: animal and operator safety, security, accessibility, efficiency, sanitizability, operational flexibility, overall space requirement, and attention to psychosocial well being/social housing requirements. The systems must permit and foster social housing of primates in accordance with the USDA/APHIS regulations under the Animal Welfare Act. Unit Dimensions: Procuring primate units of a similar type, functionality, user friendliness, and overall exterior dimensions equal to or smaller than our existing units is critical to the program. In order to ensure the program can continue to house the number of primates required to support our program, the primate rack dimensions are critical. Construction: All parts of the primate units shall be constructed to withstand repeated shaking and high impacts caused by non-‐human primates. Primate units shall provide a safe and secure environment for non-‐human primates. The construction of primate units shall be of heavy duty stainless steel and the design shall facilitate ease of sanitation that eliminates the need for mechanical scrubbing. The construction shall be as seamless as possible with minimal amounts of welded points so they will not trap organic matter and/or break over time. Sides and backs of each non-‐human primate holding rack shall be enclosed with solid sheet construction, to prevent animals from reaching out. The front of each cage and the ceiling of top cages shall be a resistance welded grid, designed to limit an animal's ability to reach out and make contact with other animals in adjacent cages or racks. The top cages of each rack shall have removable floor panels which will enable the rack to be arranged in various compartment configurations. The lower cages shall have a non-‐removable floor panels. Feed hoppers shall be designed to eliminate the ability of a non-‐human primate to reach out and possibly injure employees. The units shall have locking mechanisms and latches that are tamper proof by non-‐human primates and prevent animal escapes at the cage door, self-‐storing/demountable dividers, feed, water bottle holder, floor panels, and cage pans. Each horizontal grid should be locked in place with floor lock assemblies during removal or replacement of cage pans. Whereas, the upper compartment grid assemblies and pan should be able to be removed to provide a double height cage area. The horizontal "Well Being" partition assembly and pan system should be able to be locked in the front of the unit with a closure door assembly constructed of stainless steel rim rod or other appropriate material. Ideally, horizontal grid components should be locked in place with a heavy duty, spring loaded, and shielded locking system. Lock tabs for installation of hasps, lock rings, or padlocks should be provided on access and cage doors. Lock tabs should be able to accommodate hasps of ¼" diameter and 3.5" long locks. Divider doors and the excreta pan door panels shall be made of rim rod stainless steel or other equivalent material. Each cage shall contain an interior cage runner system which serves as a deflector for fecal material and urine to be directed into the pans while also securing the floor, pan, and grid assemblies from movement by animals. Ideally, runners along the side of the pan insert area should consist of a solid sheet of 18 gauge or stronger stainless steel to allow pans to slide in and out of the rack smoothly. All cages should provide the ability to attach and/or introduce enrichment devices (e.g., forage board or puzzle board, etc.) to the cage front as desirable to include swings, moving perches, or objects hanging within the cage, such as plastic chain or looped PVC tube. All racks shall be permanently numbered/identified. Each cage shall contain a 3"x 5", tamper resistant cage card holder. Sanitization: The primate racks are routinely sanitized to maintain a clean environment that is conducive to good animal health. Biweekly sanitation of the caging is a requirement to maintain AAALAC accreditation. The sanitation process exposes the animal racks to high temperatures and chemical exposure that requires the use of heavy-‐duty stainless steel. Primate units shall be made of materials that are completely autoclavable at high temperatures (270° F). Cage Doors: During cage changing, it is imperative that animals do not escape. The method of cage changing requires that one empty unit be placed in front of the unit containing animals and the animals directly jumped from one rack to the other. In addition, animals are "jumped" using an identical technique into activity rooms or "play" cages on a routine basis. The Facility does not use transfer cages or tunnels to relocate animals from rack to rack or to outside activity areas. Therefore, the doors of non-‐ human primate cages must align perfectly with both transfer racks and activity area doors to permit the efficient, safe, escape proof transfer of animals between the two areas. For the safety of the animals and animal care staff, the cages doors must be the same dimensions of existing caging and aligned in a manner which permits their perfect juxtaposition. Variations in the dimensions of doors of the caging systems in the past have led to escaped animals and every precaution must be taken to prevent this from reoccurring. The bottom of the lower cage door shall be 19 (+/- 1) inch from the floor and the top of the door shall be no higher than 38 (+/- 1) inch from the floor. The bottom of the upper cage door shall be 54 (+/- 1) inch from the floor. The bottom of the upper cage door shall be 72 (+/- 1) inch from the floor. The minimal width of a cage door shall be 9 inches for a 4.3 square foot cage and 13 inches for a 6.0 square foot cage. The minimal height of the cage door shall be 17 inches for both a 4.3 and 6.0 square foot cage. The cage door shall be placed as close to the cage water bottle, toward the center of the rack, as possible. For this requirement, all cage doors shall slide side-to-side. To open the cage door, the door shall not slide toward the center of the unit, but rather the door shall slide toward the outside of the unit. Therefore, the door of a cage on the right side of the rack shall slide toward the right and the door on the left side of the rack shall slide left. When sliding a door open, the door shall not hit or interfere with the wall, adjacent cages, or racks. Squeeze-Back Mechanism: The squeeze-‐back mechanism must be designed in a manner which prevents warping, bending, binding, or damage to the mechanism when an animal is not centered in the cage. The construction of the squeeze-‐back and mechanism must be heavy duty, durable, and reliable. The pull mechanism shall facilitate the easy movement of the squeeze back. If rollers or roller bearings are used they should be constructed of stainless steel or other non-‐rusting, self-‐lubricating, materials. The squeeze-‐back mechanism shall be a "one-‐handed" design (i.e. single pull), which shall not be centered in the cage. The pull handle shall be located on the same side of the cage as the door slides open to. For cages located on the right side of a rack, the door shall open to the right side of the cage; the pull handle shall also be located on the right. For a cage door which opens to the left, the pull handle shall also be located on the left. The single handed pull mechanism shall also serve as a perch for the animal within the cage and shall be constructed in a manner to support their body weight without bending, warping, or damage. The ideal perch consists of a double perch bar assembly which does not accumulate waste and debris, while providing a comfortable resting place for the monkey. In addition, the squeeze mechanism shall be designed so that it does not trap debris, organic matter, can be readily cleaned and sanitized, and provide a high level of safety by eliminating pinch points to the non-‐human primate's appendages or operator. The squeeze-‐back mechanism shall be designed with a minimum of seven (7) lockable stop positions. The mechanism shall be designed in a manner that is easily operated, while at the same time shielded against animal access or accidental movement. Cage Dividers/Social Housing: A major goal of both NIMH and the Central Animal Facility is the social housing of our non-human primates. It is imperative that the cages facilitate the safe pairing or group housing of animals. Lessons have been learned over the years that specific steps must be taken to carefully and systematically introduce animals to one another. The NIH Behaviorist through years of observations and tests has determined that a five tiered system inside the cages will successfully and safely help to reach the goal of pair housing. This system can help prevent animals from injuring each other with bites, scratches, lacerations and lost digits. To facilitate this program, cages need to be equipped with separate socialization panels that can be manipulated by animal care staff from outside the cage. In order to use cages for both singly or pair housed animals, and to allow singly housed animals to have some access to each other, self-‐storing/integrated or separate individual vertical panels are required. Self-‐Storing/Integrated Vertical Divider System: • Solid Front Panel, No Rear Panel (Permits full socialization of adjoining cage animals.) • Solid Front Panel, Solid Rear Panel (No contact with animal in adjoining cage.) • Solid Front Panel, Single, Grid Pattern Rear Panel (1") (Permits direct contact for grooming without full socialization with animal in adjoining cage) • Solid Front panel, Double, Grid Pattern Rear Panels, One 1" Panel and One ½" Panel, >2" between panels, (Allows visualization without direct contact) Non-‐integrated, Individual Vertical Divider System: • Single Divider, Solid Front Area, Open Rear Area (Permits full socialization of adjoining cage animals.) • Single Divider, Solid Panel, Front & Back Area (No contact with animal in adjoining cage.) • Single Divider, Grid Pattern Panel (1") (Permits direct contact for grooming without full socialization with animal in adjoining cage) • Two Single Dividers, Grid Pattern Panels, One 1" Panel and One ½" Panel, >2" between panels, (Allows visualization without direct contact) Provision of Water: Each cage shall be equipped with two watering options; water bottles with tamper proof holders, and automatic watering. Ideally, water bottles should be mounted on each cage toward the center of the rack. For example, for cages where the door slides to the right, the water bottle holder should be located on the left of the door. The reverse would be true for cages where the door slides to the left. The ideal water bottle holder should accommodate two types of water bottles, a standard 64 oz. non-‐human primate water bottle with screw cap/stopper and ball-‐bearing sipper tube, and a smaller 16 oz. and 32 oz. water bottle with an integrated water valve, similar or identical to the previously manufactured Water Buddy TM by Edstrom. Water bottle holders shall provide a secure, animal resistant, locking mechanism which also provides easy, ergonomic access. The automatic watering system mounted on each rack shall incorporate a stainless steel automatic water system and have the ability to control water access to each individual compartment, turning water off/on to each compartment from either the front or back of the rack. A mechanism shall be present to easily identify if the water to any given cage is turned on or off from the front of the cage/rack, without having to move the rack. The water control and monitoring mechanism should be cost effective and provide for the safety of both the care staff and animal. The single drinking valve in each compartment will consist of a 1/8 inch MPT connection with locking nut, capable of a flow rate from 40-‐60 mL/min (Edstrom part number 1000-‐1430-‐PRM). The quick disconnect and recoil hose shall be located in an area or have provisions that eliminate the potential for animals being able to access and break or manipulate the parts or injure themselves. Provision of Food: Feeders shall be able to be inserted and secured with minimal or no risk to the animal care staff. Feeders must be secured in place and of a design which prevents animals from reaching out and scratching staff through the feeder opening. The ideal feeder will be able to be inserted into the cage through a securable, animal resistant, door panel. The feeder shall be located on the opposite side of the rack from the water bottle and not placed under the door opening. Waste Pans: Two styles of waste pans are required, one designed to accommodate 4.3 square feet cages and the other to accommodate 6.0 square feet cages. Waste pans shall be of seamless construction and sloped. To provide for better ergonomics, 4.3 square feet pans shall be made of stainless steel, whereas 6.0 square feet pans can be made of an alternative material (e.g. plastic). The waste pans shall be made out of a material(s) that is light weight, durable, sanitizable, and able to withstand the rigors of both the non-‐human primate and cage wash. They shall be made of high temperature, impact resistant material (e.g. stainless steel, plastic, etc.) and able to withstand repeated washing at a minimum of 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, pans would also be autoclavable. The maximum weight for either size pan shall be 4.0 kg. All waste pans shall be stackable/nest-‐able in such a manner as to hold urine, feces, and any food biscuits that may fall into the pan without the material being squeezed out or adversely impacting the pans ability to be nested. The maximum stack of cage pans stacked for 4.3 square feet pans is 20 units or approximately 26" in height. For 6.0 square feet pans the maximum stack of pans is 24 units or a height of 30". If lugs or other structures are places on the sides of the pans to facilitate stacking, they should be placed on all four sides to ensure proper nesting if the pan should become off center. Nested pans should contain the material within without worry of the material being expelled during transport. Ideally, pans should also be compatible with existing NHP racking systems. Additional Ideal Rack/Cage Characteristics (Minimum Cage Specifications): 6.0 Square Feet, Four Compartment Primate Rack: Overall dimensions of unit are approximately 70" wide x 34" deep x 81" high. Each individual cage compartment measures approximately 32" wide x 28" deep x 32" high. Approximate Excreta Pan Insert Dimensions, 6.0 square feet cages: 32.75" wide x 28.5" deep x 2.75" high. 4.3 Square Feet, Four Compartment Primate Rack: Overall dimensions of unit are approximately 56"wide x 32" deep x 81" high. Each individual cage compartment measures approximately 25" wide x 27" deep x 32" high. Variable Height, 4.3 Square Feet, Four Compartment Primate Rack: A Combination rack of the 4.3 square feet compartments, with the bottom cages being 32" in height and the top cages being 36" in height. The total rack height shall not exceed 84". Approximate Excreta Pan Insert Dimensions, 4.3 square feet cages: 24.5" wide x 26.675" deep x 2" high. Ideally, the main frame and base frame of the unit are both constructed of 1.25 sq. in., 16 gauge wall tubular stainless steel with tungsten inert gas (TIG) welded grid top, bottom, and front assemblies as described below. The sides and back should be designed with an 18 gauge, solid, stainless steel sheet construction, to include built in collapsible handles on both sides of the rack. In addition, wall anchors should be built within the structure of the frame (tubular stainless steel) with a height of 32 ¾" above the floor to allow the racks to be anchored to the standard Sani-‐Railing TM (or equal). The unit should feature SELF STORING DIVIDER PANELS or NON-‐INTREGAL, STAND ALONE DIVIDERS, as described above, and removable upper compartment floors which enable the unit to be arranged in various compartment configurations. The unit shall include both options for a water bottle and a stainless steel automatic watering system with protection brackets. All racks shall be equipped with 5" diameter heavy duty stainless steel casters. All racks shall have two wheels with brakes, and two wheels without brakes with zerks fittings in the axle and raceway. Wheels should be fully autoclavable, which will allow racks to be pushed/pulled easily by a pair of individuals, and can't damage epoxy or N2 vinyl floor finishes. Front Panels: The front panels of each compartment should be constructed of a 6 Gauge Stainless Steel or better, Rim Rod, below the door of a 1" x 1" grid component assembly and a 6 Gauge Stainless Steel, Rim Rod upper grid 1" x 3" component assembly. Each front door panel will also ideally include: • HORIZONTAL sliding style stainless steel doors constructed of Stainless Steel Rim Rod allowing for a door opening as detailed above and not to interfere with a single pull squeeze back assembly. • Top and bottom shielded locking assemblies for doors. • 3"x 5" horizontal, Lexan shielded cardholder • Stainless Steel, non-‐human primate resistant, feeder system, with protection to prevent human contact, and spring loaded lock mechanisms allowing for a quick disconnect from front of cage. Top panels of the Top Compartments: Ideally, top panels are constructed of 6 Gauge, Rim Rod Frame and Wire, in a Grid Pattern. The quick disconnect and recoil hose shall be located in an area that eliminates the potential for animals being able to access and break the parts. Horizontal Divider Assemblies between Top and Bottom Compartment: Ideally, both upper and lower compartments are separated by a removable horizontal grid assembly. With the consideration for bottom compartment grid, either the floor grid or pan grid should be welded to the rack to prevent smaller NHP(s) from escaping. Each grid assembly ideally consists of: • One (1) top grid constructed of rim rod stainless steel and 6 Gauge Stainless Steel grid. • One (1) lower grid constructed of rim rod stainless steel and 6 Gauge stainless steel grid. • Located between these two grids is a removable excreta pan made of material with high tensile strength combined with high impact strength and stiffness Squeeze Back and Dual Perch Assembly: Each animal compartment includes a Single Pull/Dual Perch Squeeze Back grid assembly ideally constructed of the following features: • Squeeze back should consist of a 1" x 3" Grid pattern with 6 Gauge Stainless Steel • Grid pattern should allow for easy access to the automatic watering lixit • 16 Gauge, Stainless Steel Ratchet Bars locking positions that enable the squeeze back to effectively restrain any sized animal that could be housed in the cage according to the Guide. • Heavy-‐duty, Stainless Steel, spring loaded, Shielded, Squeeze Back Locking assemblies. • Two (2) stainless steel roller guide assemblies along a fixed stainless steel "track "located in the upper right and left corner of each compartment, running from front to rear, which allows for jamb-‐free movement of the squeeze back along fixed stainless steel tubing located in the lower right and left corner of each compartment. Capability Statement: Contractors that believe they possess the ability to provide the required product should submit documentation of their ability to meet the project requirements to the Contract Specialist. Contractors should also provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. Interested organizations are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. All capability statements sent in response to this Sources Sought Notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to Paul Marsalese, Contract Specialist, at Paul.Marsalese@nih.gov in MS Word format within 15 calendar days of the date of this announcement. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. Concluding Statement: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. The Government intends to negotiate a fixed price contract.
Web Link: FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NIDA-2/HHS-NIH-NIDA(SSSA)-SBSS-14-404/listing.html)
Place of Performance: Address: Bethesda, Maryland, 20832, United States; Zip Code: 20832
Record: SN03417315-W 20140710/140708234713-4889874be392bb73bc00d75e825d91f7 (fbodaily.com)
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66 -- Non-Human Primate Housing Units