Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Notice of Intent The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to negotiate a sole source commercial item procurement with Animal Care Systems/ARES Distribution, LLC. . The Durham Veterans Affairs Medica... Notice of Intent The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to negotiate a sole source commercial item procurement with Animal Care Systems/ARES Distribution, LLC. . The Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) request Rodent Cages for the Research and Development facility. The Durham VAMC request for new rodent housing cages to replace old, cracked ones. The new caging must conform to the same dimensions and design as the old ones to fit the current racks. All cage vendors for laboratory animal research programs have proprietary cage systems, designed to fit only their own holding racks. Without, these specific cages any testing done to the animals the facility runs the risk of losing the animals, but possibly infecting the entire hospital with a spread of germs from these test animals. This proposed contract action is for Ares Distributions is the sole manufacturer, proprietary and authorized distributor of the Rodent Cages. No other vendor is authorized to sell these products. Without, these specific cages any testing done to the animals we run the risk of losing the animals, but possibly effect the entire hospital with a spread of germs from these test animals. This procedure for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR Part 6.302. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes; however, interested parties may identify their skill and ability by sending capability statements in reference to this requirement no later than 12:00 p.m. EST, April 5, 2021 to: Stervon.Johnson.@VA.gov  Interested firms must indicate whether they are large, small, small-disadvantaged, 8(a) or woman owned business and whether they are U.S. or foreign owned. Respondents who submit proprietary data shall clearly mark the data with appropriate markings. The Government will not pay for any information submitted as a result of this notice. This notice shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.