Inactive

This RFI (Request for Information) is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as pro... This RFI (Request for Information) is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This notice is published to conduct market research to determine if there is a sufficient number of certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), Small Businesses (SB), or Large Business capable of performing the requirements to warrant a socio-economic set-aside or full & open competition. It is strongly recommended that interested parties register in the US Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Biz database, the Small Business Administration (SBA) database and the System for Award Management (SAM), as applicable. Registration may be accomplished at http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/, www.sba.gov/ and https://beta.sam.gov respectively. Interested parties responding to this sources sought request shall submit the following information at a minimum: (1) company name and address, point of contact with phone number, and DUNS number; (2) documentation relating to capability of performance (3) intentions of subcontracting program to include set-asides if any; (4) proof of registration in the VA Vet Biz or SBA websites or intention of registration prior to submission of offers to a solicitation; (5) If you are a distributor a statement from the manufacturer that your company is an authorized distributor; (6) a statement to inform the government if you are a manufacturer or distributor; (7) any information regarding FSS Schedule availability; (8) SAM Registration (9) any other pertinent company documentation. It is requested that responses include a rough estimate of pricing for completion of the requirements identified below. Responses are due by April 20, 2021 at 2:00pm PST It is anticipated that a solicitation may be issued in May 2021. If issued, award of a subsequent contract is contemplated in May 2021. Responses should be submitted to nakia.vance2@va.gov NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE OTHER THAN WHAT IS NOTED HEREIN. ALL FIRMS ARE INSTRUCTED NOT TO CALL THE INDIVIDUAL VA MEDICAL CENTERS REQUESTING MORE INFORMATION. 1. BACKGROUND: This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the tasks and responsibilities between the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System (PVAHCS) and the University of Arizona Animal Research Facility, in support of Research Protocol, MHC class II antigen presentation in melanoma: impact on immune recognition . 2. SCOPE: The Phoenix VA Healthcare System in Arizona requires expert research services from an Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AALAC) organization (UA) to support a VA-funded animal research project that PVAHCS cannot support internally. These services include: animal purchasing, handling, housing, feeding (animal husbandry), and veterinarian services to successfully conduct animal study interventions required during the duration of the project. Specific details regarding each task are outlined in this PWS. Any combination of services stated in the PWS can be combined in a task order. All projects will be initiated by the contractor through strict adherence to the VA approved protocols. The contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the deliverables described in this PWS, except as may otherwise be specified. Tasks and Deliverables (Base Year and 3 Option Years) Quantities listed are base year requirements only. Option year needs are similar but will be based on known research requirements. The research will be conducted using young adult male mice RAG-/- and C56BL/6 to include young adult female mice RAG-/- and C57BL/6. The contractor will purchase no more than 468 rats yearly from a commercial vendor to support protocol: MHC class II antigen presentation in melanoma: impact on immune recognition. The number of purchased animals at any one time may vary depending on the outcomes of the experimental procedures. All animal purchases, and its characteristics, shall be coordinated through specific requests from the protocol s, MHC class II antigen presentation in melanoma: impact on immune recognition. research staff to VA Contracting to the U of A. B. Animal Care: Research animals will require long-term housing in a Assessment and Accreditation for Laboratory Animal Care (AALAC), certified animal facility throughout the span of the research study, where the U of A animal facility meets these needs. All animals will be housed in a temperature and humidity controlled, research animal facility, fully accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation for Laboratory Animal Care, International. All animals will have access to food and water ad libitum and will be housed under controlled light/dark cycles, which are reversed from normal diurnal cycles. Caution will be taken by each person handling animals as to not cause any unnecessary harm or distress. The type of care will include housing, feeding, animal husbandry service, and veterinarian services as required. C. Animal Procedures: PVAHCS personnel, or combined PVAHCS and U of A employees are responsible for animal procedures. Animal procedures include neurological testing, surgery, brain injury, observation, behavioral assessment, tissue collection, and similar laboratory procedures. All personnel will work with existing facility personnel regarding standard operating procedures, scheduling, training, and cleanup. All personnel will be compliant with training at or above existing protocols. 3. SECURITY AND HIPPA COMPLIANCE: a. This item does not hold any patient information therefore a security package is not required. In accordance with Appendix A, Handbook 6500.6 Checklist blocks 6, the C&A requirements do not apply to this requirement. b. There is no access to sensitive information. If vendor needs access during delivery, assembly or installation, the contractor shall be escorted by a VA employee at all times to ensure there is no exposure to VA sensitive information. 4. SOURCES SOUGHT DETAILS NAICS CODE: 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) As identified on the Small Business Administration s table of small business size standards, the size standard for this NAICS code is 1,000 employees. 7. INTERESTED PARTIES RESPONDING VIA EMAIL TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST SHALL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AT A MINIMUM: Company name, address, point of contact, phone number. DUNS number and company social-economic status. Lead time for providing enclosed service description. Can your firm provide all services? Intentions of subcontracting program to include set-asides. Yes or No. (5a) If yes to (5), as the prime contractor, your firm shall confirm if it will comply with 15 USC 657s and 13 CFR 125.6 - limitations on subcontracting. Bottom line, your firm shall conduct over 50% of the service performance. If SDVOSB or VOSB, proof of current registration in the VA Vet Biz websites or intention of registration prior to submission of offers to a solicitation - http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ Any other pertinent company documentation or product information. Should a solicitation be issued, the government anticipates a subsequent base award and a firm-fixed-price contract.