36C25225Q0713_1.docx

SUBJECT*

PhenoMaster Control System (VA-26-00008877) - (Grant Funded)

GENERAL INFORMATION

36C252 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101

Milwaukee WI 53214-1476

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Erica Grimslid Erica.Grimslid@va.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Special Notice Special Notice

DESCRIPTION

Special Notice

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION UNDER SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 12.201-1

Acquisition Plan Action ID: 36C252-26-AP-0227

1. Contracting Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 12, Great Lakes Acquisition Center, 115 South 84th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53214-1476 for the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, 820 S. Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60612-4223 2237 #: 537-26-1-1527-0002

2. Nature and/or Description of the Action Being Processed: This procurement is for a one-time grant funded purchase of phenotyping equipment, to be awarded as a new firm-fixed-price contract, funded by the VA ShEEP-MERP (Shared Equipment Evaluation Program – Military Exposures Research Program.

3. Description of Supplies/Services Required to Meet the Agency’s Needs: The facility requires the purchase of an IntelliCage-PhenoMaster System manufactured by TSE Systems, Inc. with the capability of measuring 13 C isotopes as well as methane and hydrogen gases. IGCE: $968,417.20

This equipment has been customized to provide the necessary components for conducting comprehensive neuro-metabolic toxicological phenotyping in mice to determine the impact of military-associated toxicant exposures on neurocognitive/neuropsychiatric and metabolic disease risk while accelerating testing of interventions to mitigate these risks. The order includes the following:

The main PhenoMaster Cages and Controls:

· 258000-PM-016-PhenoMaster Control (1)

· 994620-CSP-WS-16 CaloSys (1)

· 994620-CSP-SFPC-CaloSys SureFlow (1)

· 258001-PM-CC-001-PhenoMaster Universal Cage Control(16)

· 994621-CSM-01-PhenoMaster Climate Sensor (16)

· 994621-PM-HC-M-TP-PhenoMaster CaloCage Mouse TP Cage(16)

· 995101-CC-M-AC-NB-115V Climatic Chamber, 8 cages per unit (2)

· 999901-12-09-Installation / Instruction /initial Training on-site

· 700600-FI-DISK-01-Filter Disk (5)

· 700600-FI-SCH-05-Filter Unit 5" (5)

Gas measuring components for RER/EE, 13/12C isotope, and Microbiome:

· 994620-CS-HSP-03-CaloSys (2)

· 994620-CS-12/13C-CO2-Gas Sensor (2)

· 994620-CS-H2-Gas Sensor (2)

· 994620-CS-CH4AB-Gas Sensor (2)

Food/drink body weight and access control:

· 259999-SEN-DFBW-01-PhenoMaster, for measurement of 3 endpoints per cage: intake of liquid or food or body weight (48)

· 259999-DRI-BOT-M-PV allowing for two different liquid choices (bottles) per cage (32)

· 259999-FEED-BAS-SP-M-PhenoMaster (16)

· 259999-FEED-BAS-PP-M-PhenoMaster (16)

· 259999-AC-M-PhenoMaster Access allowing for two different food choices per cage (32)

· 259999-BW-HOUS-M-PhenoMaster (16)

Three-dimensional activity:

· 302022-XY-M-PhenoMaster ActiMot3 XY-Frame (16)

· 302022-Z-M-PhenoMaster ActiMot3 Z-Frame (16)

· 302022-XYZ-M-TP-PhenoMaster Homecage Template (16)

IntelliCage System:

290000-SB-2IC-00003-IntelliCage® by NewBehavior Bundle for 2 Intellicage cage setup (includes computer)

· 290000-EB-2IC-00004-IntelliCage® by NewBehavior Bundle for 2 Intellicage cage extension (2 extension cages to be connected to item 24.

· acclimation cages

· 90000-IC-50100-IntelliCage cage body (2)

· po 290000-IC-HC-2000-IntelliCage® by NewBehavior IntelliCage home-cage set (2)

· Stand-alone climate chamber for IntelliCages

· 995101-CC-M-AC-WB-115V Climatic Chamber (1)

· 258001-PM-SW-EC-PhenoMaster Software License for 1 Environmental Chamber (required for stand-alone chamber system (i.e. not used with PhenoMaster) (1)

· RS485 Cable (to connect the chamber to the computer) (1)

· IntelliCage training and installation

· 999901-12-25-Application Training/remote

· 999901-12-05-Installation / Instruction/on-site

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Restricted Competition: FAR 12.201-1 Simplified Procedures. The statutory authority for applying the Simplified Procedures of FAR 12.201 is 41 U.S.C. § 1901 and is implemented by FAR 12.102(b) for restricting competition on this procurement. Competition is restricted to this procurement for the reasons below:

(X) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements ( ) Unusual and Compelling Urgency ( ) Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental or Research Capability or Expert Services ( ) International Agreement ( ) Authorized or Required by Statute ( ) National Security ( ) Public Interest

5. Demonstration that the Contractor’s Unique Qualifications or Nature of the Acquisition Requires the Use of the Authority Cited Above (applicability of authority):

There is no commercial alternative for the IntelliCage System. No other vendor provides equipment that allows for the assessment of murine behavior in group-housed, free-living mice in a non-invasive manner. The IntelliCage System is unique, and will conduct high-throughput, cutting-edge studies of neurotoxicity. An alternative vendor was identified selling metabolic cages like the PhenoMaster System (indirect calorimetry systems); however, their system was incapable of meeting the VA’s scientific needs. Specifically, their system is unable to measure the function of the microbiome, while the PhenoMaster System can assess this function through the measurement of hydrogen and methane gases. Because of the importance of microbiomes in the VA’s studies of NeuroMetabolic toxicity (with funded research projects specifically focused on the microbiome), this capability that is unique for the PhenoMaster System is essential. Also unique to the PhenoMaster System is the ability to control humidity in each cage essential for accurate gas analysis and rapid integration of gas analysis to allow for 30 second samplings of each cage to increase real-time data collection.

Although indirect calorimetry and C13-isotopes analysis (to assess energy expenditure as well as fatty acid and glucose utilization) is not unique to the PhenoMaster System, coupling it with methane and hydrogen gas output is unique and scientifically important since changes in the microbiome can alter how fatty acids and glucose are processed. This research project is focused on understanding the utilization of specific energy substrates; as such, the capability of the PhenoMaster System to measure C13-isotopes is critical for VA’s ongoing scientific studies. Importantly, the research proposal integrates metabolic and neurological toxicity, which requires the integration of the IntelliCages with the PhenoMaster. No alternative system has this capability.

This purchase is supported by a Shared Equipment Grant from the VA’s Military Exposure Research Program. The peer reviewed grant was awarded to support the establishment of preclinical NeuroMetabolic Phenotyping capabilities at Jesse Brown to study the impact of toxicant exposures on the development of interrelated neuropsychiatric and metabolic disorders while also empowering intervention studies to mitigate the adverse effects of toxicant exposures. TSE Systems is the only manufacturer of complementary capabilities that allow VA researchers to study both neurotoxicity and metabolic toxicity in an integrated system. Per the Program Office the requested TSE Systems IntelliCage-PhenoMaster System is the only product capable of meeting the R&D requirement.

6. Description of Efforts Made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as deemed practicable: A sources sought notice was posted on October 20, 2025, and closed on October 31, 2025, there was one response not deemed capable of meeting the requirement.

7. Determination by the CO that the Anticipated Cost to the Government will be Fair and Reasonable: The CO anticipates that the cost the Government will be fair and reasonable based on comparison to past purchases and the IGCE.

8. Description of the Market Research Conducted and the Results, or a Statement of the Reasons Market Research Was Not Conducted: The Contracting Officer (CO) conducted comprehensive market research using the following databases: SBA, Medpdb, SCMC, NAC, and GSA. Searches were performed using the keywords “neuro-metabolic toxicological phenotyping” “PhenoMaster,” “Phenotyping,” “CaloSys,” “CaloMax HS,” “Calorimetry,” and “IntelliCage System.” A subsequent search of the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) using the keywords “PhenoMaster” and “IntelliCage System” identified several past sole source procurements awarded to TSE Systems, indicating a history of limited competition for these items. Additionally, the CO queried SAM.gov to determine the socioeconomic category of TSE Systems. TSE Systems is a small business. (Identify URL of database(s)/name of procurement instrument(s) identified):

The CO searched the SBA certification site with NAICS 334516 and keywords “PhenoMaster,” “Phenotyping,” “CaloSys,” “CaloMax HS,” “Calorimetry,” and “IntelliCage System.” There were 0 results The CO searched GSA Advantage with keyword “phenotyping” and looked under the category of Scientific & Medical the following subcategories were produced: Rapid test kits, Specimen holder, Test tube closures or caps and Hypodermic needles; not the research and development cage systems we are seeking. The CO chose to still look at the phenotyping results within all the Scientific & Medical category. CO searched within the results with the keyword “Calorimetry” several reagents, test tubes and kits were produced. CO then added the keyword “Cage” no results were produced. CO conducted another search with keywords” Rodent Cage System” 2 products resulted, neither possess the IntelliCage System’s capabilities.

The CO searched SCMC with keyword “Phenotyping” 147 results were produced, 115 are classified as services and the remaining appear to be blood products. CO then narrowed the search with “Calorimetry”, and no results were produced.

CO searched The NAC website with keyword “Phenotyping” one phenotyping immunology contract was produced. CO conducted a second search with keyword “Calorimetry” one software contract resulted.

CO searched MedPdb with keyword “Phenotyping” 3 reagents were produced. CO conducted a second search with keyword “Calorimetry” no results were produced.

9. Any Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other than Full and Open Competition: N/A

10. Listing of Sources that Expressed, in Writing, an Interest in the Acquisition: TSE Systems, Inc.

11. A Statement of the Actions, if any, the Agency May Take to Remove or Overcome any Barriers to Competition before Making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required: The Government will continue to conduct market research to ascertain if there are changes in the marketplace that would enable future actions to be competed.

12. Requirements Certification: I certify that the requirement outlined in this justification is a Bona Fide Need of the Department of Veterans Affairs and that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the justification, are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Research AO Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

13. Approvals in accordance with the VHAPM Part 806.3 OFOC SOP:

a. Contracting Officer or Designee’s Certification (required): I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Stacy Massey Date NCO 12 Contracting Officer Great Lakes Acquisition Center

b. One Level Above the Contracting Officer (Required over SAT but not exceeding $900K): I certify the justification meets requirements for other than full and open competition.

NCO 12 Branch Chief- Supply

NCO 12 Division Chief

Director of Contracting, NCO 12

c. VHA RPO HCA Review and Approval: I have reviewed the foregoing justification and find it to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief and approve ($900K to $90 million for other than full and open competition.

Executive Director, RPO Central Head of Contracting Activity Effective Date: 11/15/24 Page 7 of 7

REVISION: 01

Acquisition ID#: 36C252-26-AP-0227