8710--Food Bedding and Enrichment

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR QUOTE; THE VA IS NOT SEEKING PRICING OR OFFERS. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 20, in support of the Puget Sound VA Healthcare System, is performing market research to compile data regarding the available Animal Food and Bedding vendors and distributors. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy. Respondents should clearly describe their capabilities in providing the exact products needed. The NAICS code assigned is: 339112 The small business standard is 1,000 employees. The non-manufacturer rule does apply. Not responding to this Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future or potential solicitation, or Request for Quotation. It is the intent of the Spokane VA Healthcare System to use the information gathered for market research purposes only. DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUIREMENT: We seek to have a Base + 4 year firm fixed price (start date through September 2025), animal, food, bedding and enrichment contract with an animal food and bedding distributor so that we can have a regular reliable source of food, bedding and other environmental enrichment for research animals at the VA Puget Sound health care System, Seattle Division. In addition, it is critical to our research program that we minimize any variation in the above items. For consistency of research, we must use a distributor who can furnish the exact items listed in the quote POTENTIAL SOURCES SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN THEIR RESPONSE: Deliver animal food, bedding and enrichment items to the VA Puget Sound health Care system animal Research facility building 34 loading dock, (or building 23 or 8, loading dock if building 34 loading dock is not available) on a regular basis, as ordered by Veterinary Medical Officer or Animal Facility Supervisor. Provide exactly the types, brands and amounts of animal food, bedding and enrichment items as ordered, with no substitutions. Quantities ordered per week will vary based on current needs. Deliver animal food, bedding and enrichment items within one week of order, for routine situations. Deliver animal food, bedding and enrichment items within one day of order in emergency situations. List of items to be ordered on the contract: Items provided MUST BE BRAND NAME, and CANNOT be equivalent. Item # Description 5058 Purina lab diet pico mouse 25 lb 5053 Purina lab diet pico rodent 25 lb 5001 Purina lab diet rodent 50 lb 15630 Fisher nest packs 200 gram combo Bed-O-cob 50/box 15634 Anderson Enrich-O'Nest 1.25 cu/ft 4007 Absorption Biofresh, 50 liters 4035 Absorption 1/8 Biofresh 50 liters 4022 Shepherd's Specialty paper Shepherd Shack 560 ct 4019 Shepherd's Specialty paper Enviro-dri 25 lb 69520 Clear H2O Hydrogel pouch 8 oz. pouch 55/case 69522 Clear H2O Hydrogel Boost 2 oz. cup 96/case 15635 Anderson Bed-o-cob irradiated 1.25 cu. Ft. Potential contractors shall provide, at a minimum, the following information to contact@example.gov. 1) Company name, address, and point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, and DUNS. 2) Please identify your company s size in comparison to the anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 311111 DOG AND CAT FOOD MANUFACTURING. To be considered a small business your company must have fewer than 1,000 employees. This notice is to determine the marketplace for this specific requirement. Please check one of the following: [ ] yes [ ] no Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) [ ] yes [ ] no Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) [ ] yes [ ] no Small Business Manufacturers [ ] yes [ ] no All other Small Business (SB) [ ] yes [ ] no Other than Small Business 3) The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought notice. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. Notice to Potential Offerors: All Offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System Award Management (SAM located on the web at www.sam.gov). It is desirable that any Offeror to have completed their business Online Representations and Certifications Application in the System for Award Management (SAM). 4) Any Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise VetBiz Registry located at http://vip.vetbiz.gov. 5) Only authorized representatives/providers of the manufacturer will be considered. Equipment must be new, no used or refurbished equipment accepted. Please provide a proof of authorized dealer or reseller letter from manufacturer. 6) This is a brand name requirement. As such, the salient characteristics must reflect the physical, functional, or performance characteristics provided in this listing to satisfy the Government s needs. To be considered for any potential solicitation, offers of equal products will not be considered. Shipping Address: Puget Sound VA Medical Center 1660 S Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 Point of Contact: Michael Gamby Contract Specialist contact@example.gov Submit Capability Statements to: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 20 Attn: Michael Gamby, no later than 5:00 PM (Pacific), 2/23/2021. Responses must be submitted via e-mail to: contact@example.gov. Note: Do not include Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in responses.