Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Testing Services

October 1, 2018: The purpose of this Amendment is to: (1) provide the Government's responses to industry questions. See separate document titled, "NIHES201800011 - Government's Responses to Industry Questions", and (2) to revise RFQ sections E, F, and I. The revisions were as follows: (1) RFQ Section E - FAR Clauses Added; (2) RFQ Section F - FAR Clauses Added; and (3) RFQ Section I - FAR Clause 52.212-5 updated, FAR Clauses 52.227-14 & 52.227-17 deleted. Note the following: - The period for questions closed on September 14th, 2018; - The RFQ closing date remains Friday, October 5, 2018 at 4:00 PM ET; and - All changed items are highlighted in "yellow" in the conformed copy of the RFQ. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, "Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items" in conjunction with FAR subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. All items within the Request for Quote (RFQ) must be fully completed and returned by the due date and time indicated above. (1) This solicitation document, NIHES201800011, is issued as an RFQ for a Contractor to provide laboratory animal diagnostic testing services in support of the Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL) located at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This acquisition is being conducted using the procedures under FAR Part 13, "Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items" as supplemented by the Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR). (2) This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAR; Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR); FAR Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-99 June 15, 2018. (3) Notice of Set-Aside, Associated NAICS Code, and Size Standard: This solicitation is being competed on an unrestricted basis/full and open competitive basis, with the 3rd award, if made, being reserved for a small business concern. The associated NAICS code is 541380, "Testing Laboratories" with a size standard of $15.0M. (4) List of Contract Line Item Number(s) and items, quantities and units of measure, (including option(s): See document titled RFQ, NIHES201800011, Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Testing Services. (5) Description of Requirements for the Items to be Acquired: The Branches & Laboratories at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina fall under the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Division. As a part of the DIR, the Comparative Medicine Branch (CMB) provides a broad range of services and collaborative support for the NIEHS intramural research programs. The CMB ensures the judicious and humane use of rodents for biomedical research that benefits human and animal health and maintains the animal facility for the NIEHS and is responsible for the health and well-being of the research animal population. The Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL) within CMB is responsible for monitoring the health status of incoming and resident animal colonies and making appropriate decisions based on the results of this monitoring. The QAL is also responsible for the NIEHS animal health surveillance program. The primary scope of the contract will be to perform diagnostic testing services as part of the animal health surveillance program. Identification of unknown bacterial or fungal isolates using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization - Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) spectrophotometry or partial genomic sequencing of biological samples may also be requested. Other assays, such as Western Blot or Immunofluorescent Antibody (IFA) may be requested to confirm initial, equivocal, serological results. The Contractor shall perform diagnostic testing on rodent blood/sera, rodent tissues, rodent fecal specimens or other biological samples (e.g., cell cultures, viral vectors, isolated proteins, etc.). The Contractor shall provide animal diagnostic testing services through a readily available source (laboratory) for diagnostic testing services as a part of the QAL overall diagnostic and health monitoring programs at NIEHS. The Contractor shall receive biological samples, perform requested testing on these samples and shall provide results to the Government via e-mail, telephone or other electronic source (e.g., online access). A multiple award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Fixed Priced (FP) task orders is anticipated. The anticipated program value is $1,894,595.98 while the anticipated program ceiling for the acquisition is $2,500,000.00 for 5 years across all contracts issued. The requirement has an anticipated 5 year ordering period from date of award. Individual task orders issued will not exceed a 12-month period and funding will be obligated at the task order level. During the contract period, the Government will identify tasks required to complete each specific project. Task orders with more specific details will be placed as needed by the NIEHS and specific performance dates and quantities will be specified on each individual task order. (6) Date(s) and Place(s) of Performance and Acceptance and FOB Point: The resultant multiple award IDIQ contract has an anticipated 5 year ordering period (from November 13, 2018through November 12, 2023). See Statement of Work (SOW) for place of performance. (7) The Provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, Applies to this Acquisition: See document titled RFQ, NIHES201800011, Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Testing Services. (8) Applicability of the provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items: See document titled RFQ, NIHES201800011, Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Testing Services. (9) FAR 52.212-3, applies to this acquisition: Representation, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors: In accordance with provisions FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-- Commercial Items, IF YOU INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL, YOU MUST: (1) Go to the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) and complete the Representations and Certifications. Offerors must access ORCA through the System for Award Management (SAM) at http:// www.sam.gov; and (2). Complete, and INCLUDE as part of your price submission. (10) FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, applies to this Acquisition: See document titled RFQ, NIHES201800011, Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Testing Services. (11) FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-- Commercial Items: See document titled RFQ, NIHES201800011, Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Testing Services. (12) Questions: The Quoter shall submit written questions to the following e-mail address: The Contracting Officer (CO) at contact@example.gov at or before Friday, September 14, 2018 at 10:00 AM ET. (13) The Date, Time and Place Quotes are Due: The Quoter shall submit dated quote to the following e- mail address: The CO at contact@example.gov at or before Friday, October 5, 2018 at 4:00 PM. ET. (14) The Point of Contact for this acquisition is the CO.