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Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Solicitation Number: NIMH-22004516-SBSS Title: Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) Classification Code: 8820 NAICS Code: 112990 Description... Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Solicitation Number: NIMH-22004516-SBSS Title: Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) Classification Code: 8820 NAICS Code: 112990 Description: This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. For equipment/supply requirements, small business responses must include: (1) the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture), as well as (2) the size status of the manufacturer under the applicable NAICS code (i.e. address Non-Manufacturer Rule). Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background: Our ability to modify the genome of various species has led to the development of new animal models to study human disease. These models have advanced our understanding of a disease’s origin, its progression, and possible intervention strategies. Rodents have been the species of choice for these models, secondary to their availability, ease of manipulation, and defined genetics. Over the past decade, a few institutions, including the NIMH, have made advancements in developing a transgenic primate model using the marmoset. The anatomy and physiology of the marmoset are closer to that of humans than rodents. In addition, they also display similar complex behaviors in social groups, making them an ideal model for many human neurophysiology and behavioral studies. Therefore, over the past decade, the NIMH DIR has invested time and resources in developing a transgenic marmoset research and breeding program to support the requirements of several investigators. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this requirement is to expand the genetic diversity of NIH’s current marmoset breeding colony. Project requirements: Motorized, inverted microscope system with 25mm field of view, fluorescence, imaging and artificial intelligence capabilities plus stereomicroscope and camera. Purchase Description: Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) also called white-tufted marmoset or white-tufted-ear marmosets: Twenty (20) Established Breeding Pairs (40 animals); Eight (8) research common marmosets to be identified by Dr. James Bourne to be provided without cost. Production Of Forty-Eight (48) Transport Crates: No Charge Transportation To International Airport Pre-Transport Preparation of Animals including: Veterinary Services Technician Services Administrative Services Salient characteristics: Provide forty (40) common marmosets (20 male and 20 female) for use as breeding animals, aged between 18 months and 7 years. Animals must be genetically distinct from animals already held for breeding at NIMH. Pedigree information going back to at least the great-grandparents of the forty (40) breeders being purchased shall be provided. Females must not be on pregnant for shipping. The remaining eight (8) research marmosets shall be identified by the cognizant NIH program staff. All animals shall have a health record demonstrating a minimum of three (3) consecutive negative intradermal tuberculin tests, or an industry excepted equivalent test, over the lifetime of the animal or colony health records demonstrating that the source colony is free of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the past 3 years. All animals must receive an intradermal tuberculin skin test or an industry equivalent test no sooner than ten (10) calendar days prior to shipping and this test must be negative. All animals shall be negative for common pathogenic helminth and protozoal parasites on fecal exam performed within 30 days of delivery. All animals must have no visible evidence of external parasites (e.g., lice, ticks, mites, ringworm, etc.). All animals shall be in good health to include well-fleshed and in good physical condition and be free of clinical signs of disease (i.e., cardiovascular, respiratory, intestinal, internal/external parasitism, no history of chronic diarrhea (lasting longer than 2 weeks), inflammatory bowel disease, wasting syndrome, etc.). All animals shall exhibit no obvious behavioral problems (the animal does not exhibit any stereotypic maladaptive behavior such as self-clasping, self-biting, or consistent circling and there is no physical evidence such as bite wounds or alopecia secondary to excessive self-grooming, that indicates that the animal is exhibiting these behaviors). All animals shall have a veterinary exam indicating each animal is healthy enough to withstand the rigors of international transport shall be performed within 10 days of shipment. All animals shall be between 180-600 grams body weight, with a body condition score of 2.5-4.5 with 1 begin emaciated and 5 being obese. All animals shall be negative for Salmonella, Shigella on two (2) rectal cultures performed two (2) days in a row within 30 days prior to delivery. Additionally, all animals shall be tested one (1) time via rectal culture and found negative for Klebsiella pneumoniae, hypermucoviscous phenotype, within 30 days prior to delivery. Following rectal swab culture, the lab can conduct a string test on any Klebsiella pneumoniae strains identified (hypermucoviscous would be string test positive). Detailed medical records for all animals shall be provided electronically for review and approval prior to shipment of the animals. Quantity: Twenty (20) Established Breeding Pairs (40 animals); Eight (8) research common marmosets to be identified by the program to be provided without cost. Production Of Forty-Eight (48) Transport Crates Delivery Date: There is an urgent need for these animals to meet the established timelines for current ongoing research programs. NIH’s understand that obtaining the required international permits for the shipment of the animals is estimated to take several months. Period of Performance: Not applicable. Option(s): None Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products specified in this notice including providing information regarding being an authorized provider of the services. The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Michael Horn, at e-mail address michael.horn@nih.gov with the subject line NIMH-22004516-SBSS The response must be received on or before May 29, 2022, 5:00 pm, Eastern Time. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).