SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Vacuum Clean Bedding Dispenser for Rodent Caging
- Notice Date
- 7/19/2022 12:11:52 PM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIDA Bethesda MD 20892 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- 75N95022Q00420
- Response Due
- 7/29/2022 2:00:00 PM
- Point of Contact
- Alexander Beraud, Phone: 3014436677, KJ Shaikh, Phone: 3014436677
- E-Mail Address
-
alexander.beraud@nih.gov, KJ.Shaikh@nih.gov
(alexander.beraud@nih.gov, KJ.Shaikh@nih.gov)
- Description
- Description:� 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: (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; (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition; and (4) availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. For equipment/supply requirements, responses must include the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture). For equipment/supply requirements, small businesses must also address the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule). Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. 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.� This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background:� The Animal Health Care Section (AHCS) of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is tasked with veterinary care, management, and oversight of the Building 35 SAF. The Building 35 SAF currently houses approximately 17,000 mouse and rat cages, consisting primarily of mice.� The rodents housed in these cages are used by numerous NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) to carry out their research missions. The Building 35 Shared Animal Facility (SAF) has a centralized cagewash facility with a capacity to process (wash and sanitize) 25,000 rodent cages and ancillary support equipment on a weekly basis.� The centralized cagewash facility currently has three (3) tunnel washers, two (2) rack washers, a semi-automatic bottle processing machine, a vacuum bedding removal system and a vacuum bedding dispenser system to support this effort. Due to the age, increased maintenance costs and obsolescence of specific key parts and components of the existing Roe Biomedical Vacuum Bedding Dispensing System (VBDS) that was designed to work in conjunction with Tunnel Washer #1, this unit is no longer operational.� The AHCS is requesting the purchase and installation of a new automated vacuum bedding dispensing system that will integrate with Tunnel Washer #1 and will integrate and operate with the remainder of the existing automated vacuum bedding dispensing system installed by Roe Biomedical when the Building 35 SAF was constructed and commissioned between 2004-2013.� The new machine must fit into the existing footprint occupied by the obsolete Roe Biomedical bedding dispenser and must easily connect to existing utilities without the need for substantial design, engineering, and renovation work.� Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to procure and install an automated vacuum bedding dispenser to replace the unit that is no longer operational on the exit side of Tunnel Washer #1.� The replacement automated vacuum bedding dispenser must utilize current technology to provide maximum throughput of clean caging through the dispensing system while enhancing ergonomic workflows for the cagewash operators.� The replacement system must also accurately and repeatedly dispense industry acceptable bedding materials used in rodent research cages, including hardwood chip and corn cob bedding materials. Project requirements: Salient Characteristics:� Conveyorized design, and in-line with the conveyor on the facility�s existing Tunnel Washer #1 (Tecniplast/IWT Model No. 9LATUN; Serial # 011135) Capability of being fed rodent cages directly and continuously from the Tecniplast/IWT Tunnel Washer #1 identified above Replacement bedding dispenser controls shall interface with the Tecniplast/IWT Tunnel Washer #1 and the remaining Roe Biomedical VBDS as described above Replacement bedding dispenser controls shall call for delivery of clean bedding material as needed and on demand from the existing Roe Biomedical bedding hopper located in the facility�s bedding storage room (Room 35/GA-805).� The replacement dispenser controller shall have a sufficient number of inputs and outputs to accomplish the integration.� Additional costs associated with integration, if required, shall be the responsibility of the selected manufacturer. Replacement bedding dispenser shall connect and interface with the existing 2� stainless steel vacuum bedding delivery piping that was designed and installed as part of the existing Roe Biomedical VBDS.� Connection point to this existing stainless bedding delivery pipe is located below the ceiling above Tunnel Washer #1. Replacement bedding dispenser shall automatically dispense free-flowing rodent bedding materials precisely and evenly into a variety of rodent cage sizes that convey from the tunnel washer through the replacement bedding dispenser Replacement bedding dispenser shall accommodate and accurately dispense a variety of free-flowing solid bedding materials commonly used for rodents in the laboratory animal research field.� At a minimum, the replacement bedding dispenser shall have the capability to accommodate and accurately dispense hardwood chip and corn cob bedding materials. Replacement bedding dispenser shall accommodate a wide variety of plastic rodent cages (maximum height of 14�) without jamming and without the need for the cagewash operator to adjust conveyor feed mechanisms that would inhibit or delay the continuous flow of cages through the dispenser. Replacement bedding dispenser shall accommodate cages from the existing tunnel washer in a random pattern.� Cages shall be fed to the dispenser from the tunnel washer in an inverted position (open side of cage facing downward). Replacement bedding dispenser shall invert cages from the tunnel washer using a gravity assist design.� Mechanical cage grippers/flippers are not acceptable.� Replacement bedding dispenser shall fit the existing space in Room 35/BBC-104, in line with Tunnel Washer #1, and allow for sufficient space around the perimeter, above and below the dispenser for the cagewash operator to perform cage processing duties, and daily/weekly service and workspace cleanup. Replacement bedding dispenser shall be refilled with clean bedding material from the existing Roe Biomedical VBDS.� Additionally, the replacement bedding dispenser shall have the capability to be filled by (1) a vacuum wand and hose system that can be inserted into a bulk container of clean bedding material and (2) manually by the cagewash operator using individual paper bags of bedding which can be opened and dispensed directly into a lower refill hopper. Replacement bedding dispenser shall utilize a vacuum system to automatically convey bedding material from the lower refill hopper of the unit to the dispensing hopper located at the top of the unit.� Chain conveyors or augers will not be acceptable. Replacement bedding dispenser shall accommodate cages from the tunnel washer that are delivered in a random pattern.� The dispenser shall fill individual rodent cages with a uniform amount of clean bedding material per square inch of cage floor area. Replacement bedding dispenser shall include a photo-electric conveyor stop system at the end of the dispenser discharge conveyor which is activated by the presence of cages that have completed the bedding dispensing process.� The system shall provide visual and audible notification to the operator. Replacement bedding dispenser shall have the capability to recapture excess bedding material that falls outside of the cages and into the lower refill hopper during the dispensing process and shall recycle the bedding material from the lower refill hopper to the dispensing hopper during the refill cycle Replacement bedding dispenser system shall utilize a level sensor system in the dispensing hopper above the unit and the lower refill hopper to trigger the pneumatic conveyance of cage bedding material from the lower hopper to the dispensing hopper Replacement bedding dispenser shall dispense a uniform curtain of bedding material from the upper dispensing hopper into the cages as they pass through the dispenser by use of a dispensing tray with adjustable baffles.� The dispenser shall not utilize any direct mechanical contact with the bedding material during the dispensing operation such as chain paddles, or screw conveyors. The rate at which the bedding material is dispensed shall be fully adjustable by the owner. Replacement bedding dispenser shall be designed to fill clean cages that are manually loaded by the cagewash operator at the front of the dispenser and onto the dispenser conveyor Replacement bedding dispenser shall include an integral dust collection system to remove dust generated by the filling operation.� Dust removal via attachment to the facility�s building HVAC exhaust system is not acceptable. Maximum external dimensions of the replacement bedding dispenser shall be: �60�W x 94�H x 60� D Minimum total hopper capacity of the replacement bedding dispenser shall be:� 10 cu. ft. Minimum tunnel/throat dimensions of the replacement bedding dispenser shall be:� 14�H x 36�W Replacement bedding dispenser shall be disassembled and shipped in modules or sections to fit through doorways and corridors from the owner�s facility loading dock, through a freight elevator, and into the clean cagewash area (Room 35/BBC-104) Replacement bedding dispenser construction: Removable panels for easy maintenance access Dispensing Hopper:� Constructed of 304 Stainless Steel with #4 Finish Minimum Total Unit Storage Capacity -10 cu. ft. Maximum 42� dispensing tray for use in conjunction with 36� wide Tunnel Washer Conveyor Belt 304 Stainless Steel Dispensing Tray with Adjustable Force Vibrator(s) 304 Stainless Steel �Tool-Less� Adjustable Baffle 304 Stainless Steel Tubular Support Weldment with Matte Finish Two (2) 14� x 18� Plexi-glass viewing windows Integral Dust Collection Filter (ambient air only, no filter cleaning) High and low-level sensors 42� Wide Roller Conveyor x 60� Length Constructed of 304 Stainless Steel 2� Rollers on 3.5� Centerline (Rollers Stainless Steel with Rubberized Coating) Roller table height estimated at 30� off finished floor Four (4) locking casters w/ outriggers for mobility of unit Photo-Electric Conveyor Stop 304 Stainless Steel Bedding Refill Hopper Integral Level Sensor & Vibrator Mount Adjustable Bleed Vacuum Pick-Up Adapter with 2.0� OD Tube Outlet Vacuum Bedding Recirculation System 6� Fully-Opening, Pneumatically Actuated Orifice Plate Discharge Valve 3� Inlet with Ratio/ Proportioning Valve 2.0� OD Conveyance tube from refill hopper below roller conveyors 3.0� x 10� Flexible hose for use with existing Roe Biomedical VBDS 10 HP 480 VAC regenerative-style vacuum blower integral to the material filter receiver Clamp-on� multi-filter assembly integral to material receiver Three (3) 5� diameter x 16� long top-Loaded cartridge filter elements spun-bond polyester media with Teflon coating (washable up to 8 times) �Clamp-on� cover assembly 3.0� OD outlet connection to airflow control valve (included) Compressed air filter cleaning system (.86 SCFM @ 40-60 PSI � intermittent use) Air Reservoir complete with compressed air regulator and pulse valve Vacuum Bedding Dispenser Control System - Complete non-proprietary PLC control system prewired and tested, mounted integral to the dispenser framework with the following features: Swivel mount for easy operator access Emergency shutoff for compliance with all safety regulations and AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care mandatory requirements Fully automated control of the dispensing operation 5.6� full-color operator touch screen located in the front of the unit Automated control of allergen dust collector (included) and vacuum refilling Alarms parameters shall include at a minimum refilling the bedding material, compressed air pressure, motor overload, and preventative maintenance Electronic interlock control system with existing tunnel washer Manual control of dispensing rate and roller speed User maintenance and parameter entry screens shall be password/PIN protected Ethernet switch and modem for remote diagnostic and trouble shooting Utility requirements Electrical:� 230/460 VAC, 3-Phase, 60 Hz, 10 Amp Compressed Air:� 1/2� NPT (80-100 psig), Maximum 4-6 CFM Exhaust:� N/A; System shall utilize an integrated dust collection system Communications:� Plenum-rated CAT 5e or CAT 6 cabling and repeaters Installation, startup, commissioning, and training provided by manufacturer�s authorized trained personnel One (1) set of Installation & Operations Manuals and two (2) sets of engineered drawings printed, bound, and shipped with the dispenser Engineered drawings and all manuals to be supplied in electronic format in addition to the printed version requirement A minimum two (2) year warranty shall be provided for all material, fabrication, and workmanship from the date of owner acceptance Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) shall be included in the base bid Bidding manufacturers must utilize factory trained and authorized service personnel for both installation and PM/emergency service requirements post installation Bidding manufacturers must provide a minimum of three (3) references from customers in the life science industry who have similar equipment installed Quantity: One (1) automated vacuum bedding dispensing system including installation and removal of the existing unit. Anticipated period of performance: 24 months � Delivery 150-180 days after receipt of order (ARO) and signed approval drawings. Other important considerations: A minimum two (2) year warranty shall be provided for all material, fabrication, and workmanship from the date of owner acceptance In case domestic sources are available and capable of fulfilling the Government�s need, and a future solicitation is published, the Government will use evaluation preferences in accordance with FAR 25. Capability statement /information sought. Companies that believe they possess the capabilities to provide the required products or services should submit documentation of their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contracting Officer. The capability statement must specifically address each of the project requirements separately.� Additionally, the capability statement should include 1) the total number of employees, 2) the professional qualifications of personnel as it relates to the requirements outlined, 3) any contractor GSA Schedule contracts and/or other government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) by which all of the requirements may be met, if applicable, and 4) any other information considered relevant to this program. Capability statements must also include the Company Name, Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information. The response must include the respondents� technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. Interested companies are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 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. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2� x 11� paper size, with 1� top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein.� A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit.� The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.� Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Alexander Beraud, Contract Specialist, at e-mail address alexander.beraud@nih.gov. The response must be received on or before July 29, 2022, 5:00 pm, Eastern Time. Disclaimer and Important Notes:� 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 www.sam.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). POINTS OF CONTACT: Primary Point of Contact: Alexander Beraud Contract Specialist Alexander.Beraud@nih.gov Phone: 301-443-6677 Secondary Point of Contact: KJ Shaikh Contracting Officer KJ.Shaikh@nih.gov Phone: 301-435-1777
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/b218927fc36a4bd7b6c567e5ceab3dae/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bethesda, MD, USA
- Country: USA
- Country: USA
- Record
- SN06394676-F 20220721/220719230100 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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