AJ91--VA Participation in Activities of the National Academies of Science Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) (VA-20-00035160)

Page 1 of 1 The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Health Care System, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, pursuant to FAR 6.302-5, with the National Academies of Science to enable VA to participate effectively in discussions of animal research topics at the National Academies. The principle objectives are for VA to participate as a full voting member on the ILAR Roundtable, and for VA to participate in developing future ILAR seminars on contemporary issues that affect and challenge VA animal research policies as well as informing future scientific funding priorities, and to participate in the selection of new topics for the ILAR Journal. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private corporation with a Congressional Charter to act as an official, yet independent, advisor to the federal government in matters of science and technology. Whether mandated by Congressional Act, contracted by federal agencies, or supported by private organizations, a wide variety of analytical studies are conducted by committees established to carefully evaluated pressing scientific and ethical issues that impact federal matters of great social or scientific importance. No other organization can meet the contract requirements due to the Academy s unique history, its ability to bring stakeholders from the entire scientific community into discussions, the confidence in its activities placed by the public and Congress, and finally, its ability to develop conferences and seminars on emerging topics of essential interest to the animal research community. This is a notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement to the contracting office no later than Monday, March 3rd, 5:00 PM, EST. Interest/capability statements may be sent to Lynn Portman at contact@example.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.