Elevated Weanling Piglet Cages

The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory a component of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) under The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), intends to issue on a sole source basis a fixed-price purchase order in accordance with FAR Part 13.106 under simplified acquisition procedures to the following source; Ikadan System USA Inc. located in Sturevant, WI. This proposed award is being conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The assoicated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Cods is 332999; small business size standard is 750 employees. Justification: The Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) will be performing microbiome data analysis which requires weanling piglets to be housed in specialized pens that are elevated to aid in waste reduction. ABBL requires a specialized nursery plastic flooring that promotes waste removal by including 40% open space for waste to fall to the sewer system below. No side slits or holes, so animals cannot cross contaminate between each pen. Crates must allow housing of individual piglets or housing of up to 8 piglets/pen. Due to the specialization and elevation of the cage required to optimize microbiome analysis in piglets the suggested source is the only known available source for these cages. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The government will consider all responsible sources received by the due date. Written responses must contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona-fide capability to fulfill the requirement. If no written responses are received, a purchase order will be issued without further notice.