DRAFT

Statement of Work (SOW) Leased Biomedical Research Space – Jackson VA Medical Center

1. Purpose and Relationship to Needs Interview Questionnaire This SOW is submitted concurrently with the Needs Interview Questionnaire and is intended to supplement and clarify the functional, infrastructure, and environmental capabilities required to renovate leased space to support VA biomedical laboratory research activities, consistent with VA Office of Research & Development (ORD) expectations and applicable safety requirements.

2. Project Overview The Jackson VA Medical Center (VAMC) seeks to lease and renovate approximately 17,660 net square feet (22,958 gross square feet) of contiguous space within the surrounding Jackson community to support an expansion of its Research Service.

The renovated facility will support:

• Six (6) laboratory teams

• Shared core equipment and support spaces

• Limited animal facilities, including:

o Short-term housing, handling, and procedure rooms o An aquatic research room for aquatic species

The facility will be designed to support modern biomedical laboratory research, while allowing reasonable future flexibility to accommodate changes in research scope, funding, and personnel.

3. General Facility Requirements

3.1 Space Configuration

• Approximately 17,660 net square feet (22,958 GSF) of contiguous space

• Appropriate separation of laboratory, animal, aquatic, support, and office areas

• Layout that allows reasonable future reconfiguration without major structural modification

3.2 Environmental Controls

• Independent temperature and humidity control for each laboratory

• Non-recirculated air in laboratory, animal, and aquatic areas

• Office areas may utilize recirculated air where appropriate

• HVAC systems sized to support laboratory ventilation, fume hood exhaust, and future expansion

3.3 Ceiling and Infrastructure Capacity

• Ceiling height and access sufficient to accommodate:

o Ductwork and exhaust systems o Utility distribution (electrical, plumbing, gas, vacuum) o Laboratory bench shelving o Aquaria rack systems in the aquatic research room o Reasonable future additions without extensive demolition

3.4 Wayfinding, Signage, and Informational Displays

• Room sign holders shall be installed outside each laboratory and office.

SOW -VA Biomed Research Center

1-3-26 o Landlord responsibility: Provide and install sign holder hardware.

o Lessee responsibility: Provide the printed signage to be placed within the holders.

• Each investigator office and laboratory shall have a wall-mounted magnetic whiteboard installed outside the door.

o Whiteboards shall be mounted directly to the wall (not freestanding).

o Intended use includes notices, announcements, and display of research publications or project summaries.

o Placement shall not interfere with egress, accessibility, or safety signage.

4. Laboratory Areas

4.1 Laboratory Infrastructure

• Six (6) laboratories capable of supporting BSL-1 and BSL-2 research activities

• Each laboratory to include:

o Laboratory-grade vacuum, gas, and utility lines o Plumbing rough-ins for installation of laboratory sinks o Gas and vacuum lines located to accommodate biological safety cabinets

(BSCs) where required

4.2 Chemical Fume Hoods

• Initial installation of three (3) chemical fume hoods, each shared between two laboratories

• Fume hood exhaust vented directly to the exterior

• Exhaust fan motors located remotely to minimize noise and vibration

• Ventilation systems designed to allow future addition of fume hoods without major redesign

4.3 Vibration and Noise Considerations

• Reasonable control of vibration and acoustic noise in laboratory areas to support sensitive imaging and analytical equipment, including confocal microscopy

4.4 Utilities and Data

• Adequate pathways for:

o Electrical and data cabling o Secure network connectivity for laboratory instrumentation and imaging systems

• Space to support instrument-connected workstations and digital microscopy or imaging platforms

5. Animal and Aquatic Facilities

5.1 Animal Rooms (Housing, Procedures, and Holding)

• Designed for short-term housing, handling, and procedures

• Negative pressure airflow relative to adjacent spaces

• Non-recirculated exhaust air

• Adjustable lighting systems:

o Variable light intensity for light-sensitive species o Programmable circadian timers

• Walls and ceilings finished with durable, cleanable coatings

5.2 Aquatic Research Room

• Dedicated room for aquatic species research

• Non-recirculated exhaust air

• Ceiling height sufficient to accommodate aquaria rack systems

• All electrical outlets to be ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected

5.3 Flooring

• Seamless, joint-free flooring (e.g., epoxy or equivalent) in animal and aquatic areas

• Flooring coved up the walls to facilitate cleaning

• Floor drains installed in animal procedure rooms

• Floor drains installed at emergency shower locations

5.4 Fixtures

• Main animal room to include:

o Sink with laboratory-appropriate fixtures o Separate hose bib or faucet suitable for wash-down

• All outlets in animal areas to be GFCI protected

6. Electrical Systems

6.1 Standard Power

• Adequate electrical distribution for laboratory benches and general equipment

• GFCI-protected outlets near all sinks and in wet locations

6.2 Dedicated Power

• Each laboratory:

o Two (2) dedicated 120-V circuits for critical equipment (e.g., ultra-low temperature freezers)

• Shared equipment room:

o Two (2) dedicated 120-V circuits o Two (2) 208/220-V circuits suitable for large centrifuges or similar equipment

6.3 Emergency Power

• Facility connected to emergency power

• Emergency power outlets clearly identified

• Priority coverage for freezers, refrigerators, and other critical research equipment

7. Plumbing and Water Systems

• Plumbing rough-ins for sinks in each laboratory

• At least one animal room equipped with a sink

• Central deionized (DI) water system, provided by VA:

o Located in a common laboratory space o Distributed via ceiling and/or wall piping o DI water drops available in each laboratory

8. Waste Handling and Support Functions

• Designated space for:

o Regulated medical (biohazard) waste accumulation o Chemical waste satellite accumulation

• Waste handling routes that allow safe movement of materials without crossing office or public areas

• Facility layout compatible with VA safety, environmental, and fire protection requirements

9. Shipping, Receiving, and Logistics

• Capability to support receipt and staging of scientific materials, including:

o Temperature-controlled shipments (e.g., dry ice) o Large laboratory equipment deliveries

• Access routes suitable for moving equipment, supplies, and animal transport as applicable

10. Security and Access Control

• Key-card access control for:

o Individual laboratories o Offices o Animal and aquatic areas

• Ability to assign role-based access consistent with VA security and research policies

11. Safety and Emergency Infrastructure

• Two (2) emergency showers, located at opposite ends of the facility

• Floor drains provided at emergency shower locations

• Emergency eyewash capability provided in appropriate locations

• Clearly marked emergency egress routes suitable for laboratory occupancy

• Compliance with applicable life-safety and fire protection codes

12. Confocal Microscopy Suite

• Dedicated confocal microscopy laboratory

• Installation of a revolving darkroom door in addition to a standard entry door

• Landlord responsible for installation of the revolving darkroom door

• Room designed to support vibration-sensitive imaging equipment

13. Division of Responsibilities

13.1 Landlord Responsibilities

• Base building infrastructure, including:

o HVAC systems and air handlers o Flooring and wall finishes o Plumbing and electrical rough-ins o Fire and life-safety systems

• Installation of:

o Revolving darkroom door for the confocal laboratory o Room sign holders outside laboratories and offices o Wall-mounted whiteboards in common hallway areas o Small, wall-mounted magnetic whiteboards outside each investigator office and laboratory

13.2 VA Responsibilities

• Laboratory casework and benches

• Scientific instrumentation and furnishings

• Deionized water system

• Research-specific equipment and specialty installations

• Printed room signage for placement within sign holders

• Content placed on whiteboards

14. Common Areas and Shared Amenities

• Main common hallway to include two (2) large, wall-mounted whiteboards

• Whiteboards intended for research coordination, scheduling, training, and communication

• Placement coordinated to avoid interference with egress or safety signage

15. Flexibility and Cost Considerations This SOW is intended to:

• Define essential functional capabilities without unnecessary over-specification

• Maintain project feasibility and cost control

• Allow reasonable flexibility to support evolving VA research needs