Inactive

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY. Please read all details carefully. This is NOT a solicitation, but market research to determine potential sources for an Individualized Ventilated Cage Rack System. This... THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY. Please read all details carefully. This is NOT a solicitation, but market research to determine potential sources for an Individualized Ventilated Cage Rack System. This does not constitute a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. Further, we are not seeking proposals at this time; therefore, DO NOT request a copy of a solicitation or submit a proposal as a result of this notice. Responders are advised the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this sources sought and that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this sources sought will be solely at the responding party's expense. Not responding to this sources sought does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, should one be issued. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise from a response to the notice. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the beta.SAM.gov website for additional information pertaining to this sources sought. REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATIONS: Cage dimensions (with water bottle) must be 15in x 13in x 6in to meet the requirement of AALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care); must be capable of housing up to 400 mice (5 mice per cage, total 80 cages). Microbiological filter must be certified with a virus filtration >= 99.97% and bacteria filtration efficiency >= 99.99%. Housing must provide a maximum barrier facility, in an environment free of pathogens. *Filters must be able to ensure removal of air contaminants of at least 0.3 microns. The filter retainer must assure a high level of sealing though a silicone gasket all around it or a mechanical locking system. Inlet and outlet air nozzle must be not invasive inside the cage to avoid cross-contamination. Air speed at 30 to 50 mm from the cage bottom must be lower than 0.2 m/sec. The quality of the cage must be ensured by a list of dimensional and functional tests, autoclave cycles, and washing cycles. The intra-cage air change per hour (ACH) distribution across the rack must be within +/- 15% from the mean ACH value, in order to provide high level of standardization of the intra-cage conditions. The cage pressure differential distribution across the rack must satisify: Pmean >= 1.2*(Pmax-Pmin). Must have automatic visual indicators of a properly docked cage. Rack must be retrofittable with system of sensors (external to the cage) able to help with tasks of facility management. Rack equipped with sensors should be washable and autoclavable. HEPA filtered air must be delivered up to 80 ACH to each individual ventilated cage by an air handling unit equipped with two H14 HEPA filters: one for supply and one for exhaust. Cage must contain environmental embedded enrichment structures System must provide a sterile and clean environment at cage level in conjunction with easy transport of the cage from the rack to a biosafety cabinet without contamination. RESPONSE INFORMATION: Responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received no later than 10:00 a.m., Friday, 13 November 2020, CST. Responses should be emailed to: Contract Specialist, Andrea Howard (andrea.howard.7@us.af.mil) and Contracting Officer, Deitre Browne (deitre.browne@us.af.mil). It is the responsibility of the respondent to ensure their email has been received by contacting either the Contract Specialist, Andrea Howard at 228-377-1829 or Contracting Officer, Deitre Browne, at 228-377-1833 or via email PRIOR to the deadline. Responses and/or inquiries WILL NOT be accepted past the deadline. Interested parties should include their company name, address, phone number, point of contact, CAGE code, DUNS number, company size status and small business representation (if applicable), and the Place of Manufacture of your product in their response. All interested parties must provide a response containing a written statement, confirming capability to comply with the government’s needs.