8710--Lab Animal Food and Bedding in support of VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation for bids, proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. The responses received from interested contractors will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 20, is conducting market research to identify potential sources which can provide the following in support of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Seattle Division: VAPSHCS has a need for animal food, bedding, other care items and environmental items for the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Campus Veterinary Medical Unit. Background The Research and Development Service Line has a requirement that all feed for laboratory animals must be of research grade, in accordance with the standards of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide). Contractor must store, maintain and transport animal feed in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Guide to maintain our VA-mandated accreditation by AAALAC, International, and to comply with the regulations of the US Animal Welfare Act enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Laboratory bedding shall contain no hydrocarbons. Enrichment items must be of consistent quality and not contain any chemicals that could be harmful to the animals. Brand Name products are required as specified and no equal substitutions will be considered, to maintain the consistency of the research environment. Alternation of the ingredients makeup is not allowed as any such changes could negatively impact the outcome of research project results. The same diet, bedding, care and enrichment items, with no changes, is required throughout the research term. Specific Tasks: 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 needed: Item # Description Estimated Quantity 5058 Purina lab diet pico mouse 30 lb 563 5053 Purina lab diet pico rodent 30 lb 471 4021 Shepherd Alpha-Dri 15 15630 Fisher nest pack 160 15634 Anderson Enrich-O'Nest 1.25 cu/ft 20 4007 Absorption Care Fresh, 50 liters 40 4035 Absorption 1/8 Biofresh 50 liters 1 4022 Shepherd's Shepherd Shack 560 ct 1 4019 Shepherd's Enviro-Dri 25 lb 53 72015022 Clear H2O Hydrogel 2 oz. cup 96/case 15 72045022 Clear H2O Hydrogel Boost 2 oz. cup 96/case 8 15635 Anderson Bed-o-cob Combo irradiated 1.25 cu. Ft. 1493 Packaging, Packing and Shipping Instructions Contractor shall provide pallets for animal food, bedding and enrichment item delivery. Contractor shall provide hand truck to bring animal food, bedding and enrichment items from the loading dock into the animal facility. Contractor shall unload animal food, bedding and other ordered items and bring them into the animal facility. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria The Animal Facility Supervisor will inspect shipments of animal food, bedding and enrichment items on a regular basis to ensure that the items delivered are exactly those that were ordered, in the exact quantities ordered. In addition, each shipment will be inspected to make sure there are no broken items and no compromised packaging. Period of performance This is forecasted to be a one year requirement from 04/01/2023 03/31/2023. Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide the above stated supplies at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via e-mail to Jennifer Robles at contact@example.gov no later than February 7, 2023, 2PM PDT. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Company name, address, SAM UEI and business size; point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail address; whether services are presently offered on a current GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract. NAICS Code 311119 Size Standard: 500 employees is applicable to determine business size standard. Any questions or concerns may also be directed via email to Jennifer Robles at contact@example.gov. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This Sources Sought 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. The Government will treat any information received as proprietary and will not share such information with other companies. Any organization responding to this Sources Sought 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. The Government may or may not issue a solicitation as a result of this announcement. There is no solicitation available at this time.