8710--Research Animal Food and Bedding

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. Scope This contract covers supply of animal food, bedding, other care items and environmental enrichment items for the VA Puget health Care system Seattle Campus Veterinary Medical Unit only. 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 5058 Purina lab diet pico mouse 30 lb 5053 Purina lab diet pico rodent 30 lb 4021 Shepherd Alpha-Dri 15630 Fisher nest pack 15634 Anderson Enrich-O'Nest 1.25 cu/ft 4007 Absorption Care Fresh, 50 liters 4035 Absorption 1/8 Biofresh 50 liters 4022 Shepherd's Shepherd Shack 560 ct 4019 Shepherd's Enviro-Dri 25 lb 72015022 Clear H2O Hydrogel 2 oz. cup 96/case 72045022 Clear H2O Hydrogel Boost 2 oz. cup 96/case 15635 Anderson Bed-o-cob Combo irradiated 1.25 cu. Ft. 5326 Lab Diet Hi Fiber Rabbit 5LRT Lab Diet Timothy Hay Cubes, Irradiated 9002 Compressed Straw Bales Performance Monitoring The Point of Contact (POC) or Animal Facility Supervisor will inspect the delivered items on a regular basis, to make sure that the delivered items are exactly those ordered, with no broken items or compromised packaging, and with no substitutions. The Point of Contact (POC) or Animal Facility Supervisor will compare order dates to delivery dates to ensure that delivery was made in a timely manner. Security Requirements Contractor Personnel will not require any facility access. Animal facility personnel will meet them at the loading dock and will accompany them at all times during delivery. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI). The contractor will not require any government furnished equipment or government furnished information to complete the requirements of this contract. Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations. Packaging, Packing and Shipping Instructions. Contractor will provide pallets for animal food, bedding and enrichment item delivery. Contractor will provide hand truck to bring animal food, bedding and enrichment items from the loading dock into the animal facility. Contractor will unload animal food, bedding and other ordered items and bring them into the animal facility. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria. The COR or 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. Place of Performance The contract will be executed at the VA Puget Sound health Care System animal research facility. Period of Performance This contract is for one year. 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 Nazanin Kreiner at contact@example.gov no later than December 27, 2023, 5PM Mountain Time. 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.