Rodent Diet and Bedding

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is NICHD-22-084 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-05. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 311119 and the business size standard is 500 employees. However, this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intend to contract on a sole source basis with Envigo Rms - 2826 Latham Drive- Madison, WI 53713 to procure the following: Product Code: T.7017.15 - NIH-31 Mouse/Rat Sterilizable Diet (15Kg bags) - Quantity 1600 EA Product Code: T.7092-40 - Corn Cob 1/8 Bedding (40 lbs. bags) - Quantity 1600 EA This is a standing order for quantity to be delivered weekly to Loading Dock B, the lab will call with amount to be delivered weekly. Period of Performance dates: June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023. The feed and bedding are for research animals housed in the Fishers Lane Animal Center and cared for by National Institutes on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). They are required on a weekly basis and must be delivered (to loading Dock B) with consistency and without interruption. The lab will call for the amounts to be delivered weekly. Deliveries expected to run through May 2023. Due to special behavioral studies NIAAA cannot change feed, bedding, or vendor (Envigo Rms) as it may contribute unexpected variables and could confound experiments. The animals must be provided the same exact feed and bedding from the same exact vendor and changes to husbandry protocols are not permitted. Concerns have arisen in the scientific community regarding the reproducibility of animal models between institutions and across time. Studies have demonstrated that differences in factors such as caging and bedding can modulate the gut microbiota. Researchers at different institutions performing the same experiments, with the same strain of mouse purchased from the same vendor, could generate different data and reach ostensibly different conclusions. Both could be completely valid datasets, the difference merely reflecting a microbial influence on experimental outcomes. In addition to the differences in the composition of the cecal microbiota between mice housed in static caging with aspen bedding and the other groups, there was also an apparent difference in the uniformity of the cecal microbiota. As sample size calculations are partially based on the anticipated variance present in the outcome of interest, it is reasonable to believe that decreased variance in the composition of the gut microbiota through certain husbandry practices (e.g., mice housed in ventilated housing in the current study) could decrease the sample size needed to achieve adequate study power. Data demonstrates the need to consider the gut microbiota, and by extension, the husbandry of research animals. NIH has called for measures to enhance the reproducibility of preclinical research, particularly studies employing animal models. NIH/NIAAA Laboratory and Branch Chiefs must now certify on Animal Study Proposals their approval of the study on the basis of scientific merit and scientific rigor and reproducibility. Despite the best efforts of commercial vendors to maintain consistency, available evidence suggests that differences in composition exist among mice diets and bedding that are purchased from different vendors or even from different facilities operated by the same vendor. Thus, when open formula diets or bedding are purchased from two different vendors, one cannot assume that they are identical. The NIAAA Animal Care and Use Committee recommended maintaining consistency in both vendor and vendor location when purchasing open formula diets and bedding for a series of related studies. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of the 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items - Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. Note to Contractor: The contractor shall provide a completed copy of FAR 52.204-24, "Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment" with their quote in response to this solicitation. The offeror must include their Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Vendors capable of furnishing the government with the services and or items specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation/offer to the following email address: contact@example.gov Attn: Tina Robinson by the due date and time below. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. Offeror must include the delivery date/timeframe with offer. Quotations will be due on April 21, 2022, before 11:00 Am EST. The quotation must reference - Solicitation number NICHD-22-084 and - Solicitation number NICHD-22-084 must be on/in subject line of email. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Any questions must be sent via email to contact@example.gov and must include Solicitation# NICHD-22-084 in the subject line of email. Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered as all awards and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) @ www.Sam.gov. Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for award.