National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

66 -- STAINLESS STEEL INDIVIDUALLY VENTILATED MOUSE/RAT CAGING SYSTEMS SOL RFQ90044-NS DUE 032599 POC Patricia Haun, Purchasing Agent, (301) 402-4509 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for Commercial Items, prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation, No. RFQ90044-NS, includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR FAC 97-06. The acquisition will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.5 to use simplified procedures for commercial acquisitions. This requirement is set-aside for small business. The Standard Industrial Classification Code is 3496, and the business size standard is 500 employees. Requirement: The National Cancer Institute requires caging systems with particular features. 43 stainless steel individually ventilated mouse caging systems are needed. The 43 stainless steel separately ventilated rodent caging systems shall individually supply each animal cage with HEPA-filtered positive pressure air, and shall exhaust each individual cage. Two additional HEPA supply units and two additional HEPA exhaust air units are also required for this order. Each unit shall have one supply and one exhaust blower module. The exhaust shall have a 5 inch round hose. The systems shall be complete with compatible cages, tops, filters, and water bottles, and PPC-card holders permanently attached to the side of the cages. The systems shall be designed to minimize exchange of air between animal cages, provide HEPA-filtered air to each cage, and capture effluent air from each cage for exhausting through the exhaust blower module allowing the caging systems to provide individual ventilation and exhaust for the cages. Air velocities within the cages shall be a mean of less than 50 linear feet per minute and provide a minimum mean of 30 intracage air exchanges per hour. Each stainless steel caging system shall be able to house at least 96 expanded small mouse cages with dimensions of at least 78 square inches of floor space and greater than 5 inches of height per cage (at least the mouse cage housing capacity of Thoren Model #5-96-8-12-2-4-5TM or equal). Each of these units shall also be able to provide individually ventilated air to mouse cages and shall capture effluent air from mouse cages. The 43 stainless steel racks shall come with at least 6000 each #5APPC Thoren or equal cage autoclavable polycarbonate with flapper grommets. The grommets shall be located 2 inches from cage floor mouse cages, at least 6000 each polycarbonate filter, Thoren #5 or equal, covers at least 3400 autoclavable polycarbonate ink water bottles, 43 each Edstrom or equal stainless steel reverse "S", auto watering w/96-A-154 valves, and quick disconnect installed on the ladder rack end, 5000 each Thoren 5BMS or equal autoclavable cage cover stainless steel to accommodate ink bottle water bottles, 8 each wash baskets with 4 X 6 configuration and 3.25" centers for ink water bottles, 6 each water bottle cap removers stainless steel. The bottles shall include stainlesssteel caps each with a device appropriate for the delivery of water to mice in a fashion which will meet AAALAC requirements (sipper tube or equivalent), at least 6225 each PPC identification card holders, permanently attached to the side of cages. Shall include a source HEPA filtered supply and exhaust air for each of the units. Each caging system shall be on wheels to facilitate transport. The caging systems shall operate using standard 120 volt electrical outlets and require no more than one outlet per unit. Except for the removable pre-filters, HEPA filters, associated gauges, and removable electrical connecting box, the caging systems shall be easily dismantled external and internal surfaces may be washed or become autoclavable. The systems shall allow for each change from a negative to a positive mode by adjusting the dampers in the blower modules. 5 EACH -- Stainless Steel Individually Ventilated Rat Caging Systems: Shall be in accordance with the following specifications: These 5 stainless steel individually ventilated rat caging systems shall individually supply each animal cage with HEPA-filtered positive pressure or negative with one supply and one exhaust blower module. Air from the cages shall be exhausted in the existing room ceiling drops. The exhaust shall have a 5 inch round hose connection. The systems shall be complete with compatible cages, tops, filters, and PPC card holders as described below. The systems shall be designed to minimize exchange of air between animal cages, provide HEPA-filtered air to each cage, and capture effluent air from each cage for exhausting. The caging systems shall provide individual supply and exhaust to each cage. Air velocities within the cages shall be a mean of less than 50 linear feet per minute and provide a minimum mean of 30 intracage air exchanges per hour. Each stainless steel caging system shall be able to house at least 30 rat cages with dimensions of at least 210 square inches of floor space and greater than 8 inches of height per cage. The rat cage systems shall have a housing capacity of Thoren Mod. #6-30-6-5-2-4-5TM or equal. When fully set up with rat cages, each unit shall be able to house at least 150 rats less than 400 grams weight under current AAALAC space requirements. The 5 stainless steel racks shall come with at least 225 Thoren #6 APPC or equal compatible autoclave polycarbonate rat cages with flapper grommet placed 4.5" from floor of cage, 225 each autoclavable stainless steel Thoren #6 or equivalent covers, at least 5 each Edstrom or equal stainless steel reverse "S", auto watering, with 30-A-154 valves and with quick disconnect installed on the ladder rack ends, at least 190 each Thoren Model 6B or equal stainless steel wire bar cage cover. Shall include a source of HEPA filtered supply and exhaust air for each of the 5 caging systems. Each caging systems shall be on wheels to facilitate transport. The caging systems shall operate using standard 120 volt electrical outlets and require no more than one outlet per unit. Except for the removable pre-filters, HEPA filters, associated gauges, and removable electrical connecting box, the caging systems shall be able to be washed or sterilized. The systems shall easily dismantle external and internal surfaces may be sterilized. The systems shall allow for each change from negative to a positive mode by adjusting the dampers in the blower modules. 200 Thoren #10 or equal cages without grommets and cardholders, 388 stainless steel A-154 water valves and 200 Thoren #8 or equal filter covers. One stainless steel shelf wash rack. To assure the continued availability of supplies for these housing systems, the manufacturer must have marketed individually ventilated rodent caging systems for at least 2 years prior to submission of the bid and sold at least 5 units per year during each of those 2 years. The caging systems should come complete with at least a one (1) year warranty. The vendor will set-up and demonstrate proper use of the caging system at the NIH six (6) weeks after the delivery of the systems. The cages shall be shipped F.O.B Destination and inside delivery to a location in Bethesda, Maryland; or descriptive literature shall be provided in sufficient detail and must demonstrate the unit's ability to meet the specification and that the supplier has at least two years of experience as stated above. Offerors will be evaluated for acceptability in accordance with the stated specifications and experience. A single award to the lowest priced, responsive, responsible offeror whose proposal demonstrates compliance with the specifications and experience is contemplated. This solicitation incorporates the provisions at FAR 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS, and at FAR 52.212-3, OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS. The latter provision includes the DUNS Number Addendum. The resulting contract will incorporate the requirements of the Clause at 52.212-4, CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS, and the requirements contained in paragraphs (a) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.212-5, CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS-DEVIATION FOR SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS. The Contract will also incorporate the following FAR clauses cited in paragraphs (b) and (c) of the latter clause: FAR 52.222-26, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY; FAR 52.222-35, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM ERA; FAR 52.222-36, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES; FAR 52.222-37, EMPLOYMENT REPORTS ON DISABLED VETERANS AND VETERANS OF VIETNAM ERA; and FAR 52.225-3, BUY AMERICAN ACT-SUPPLIES. Offerors must submit a complete copy of Representations and Certifications, including the provision for the DUNS Number (FAR Clause 52.204-5), with their offer. Offers are due 17 days after the publications date of this notice by 1:00p.m. EST. Facsimile submissions are not authorized. Offers must be in writing and should be submitted as follows: 1) a completed SF18, signed by an individual authorized to bind the organization; 2) a Schedule of the offered materials containing pricing and a delivery schedule; 3) completed Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with DUNS Number addendum; 4) descriptive literature indicating that the offer meets the stated requirement; 5) acknowledgment of amendments, if any. The Representations and Certifications or other cited provisions and clauses may be obtained from Patricia Haun, Purchasing Agent, on (301) 402-4509 or by fax on (301) 402-4513. Offers and related materials must be submitted to Patricia Haun at the listed address above. Offers that fail to furnish the required information or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration. Please cite the solicitation number on your offer. Posted 03/08/99 (W-SN306017). (0067)

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