Sources Sought 36C25724Q0406.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

*= Required Field Sources Sought Notice

SUBJECT* 36C257-24-AP-1801 | NEW | CTX Standalone Aquatic Rack System for Zebra Fish Research

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACTING OFFICE’S ZIP CODE* 75137

SOLICITATION NUMBER* 36C25724Q0406

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE 03-04-2024 17:00 CENTRAL TIME, CHICAGO, USA

ARCHIVE 45 DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS N

SET-ASIDE

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE* AJ11

NAICS CODE* 541715

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Department of Veterans Affairs

NCO 17 North Texas Healthcare System Regional Procurement Office West (RPO-W) 124 E. Hwy 67, Suite 100 Duncanville TX 75137

POINT OF CONTACT*

Marzetta Austin marzetta.austin@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS Central Texas VA Health Care System 1901 S 1st Street Temple, TX

POSTAL CODE 76054

COUNTRY USA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY. Standalone Aquatic Rack Systems for

Zebrafish Research (UID: VA-24-00043582)

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the VA to contract for any supply or service. Further, the VA is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this RFI notice. The VA will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or IFB or RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Governmentwide Point of

Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of

Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The anticipated NAICS code is: 541715

A brief synopsis of the required services is provided below:

1. Scope of Work: The Research Department located at the Central Texas Veterans Health

Care System (CTVHCS), VA Research Core Lab at 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive (Research Building 205), Temple, Texas is requesting the purchase of two standalone recirculation system for the housing of zebrafish for translational research purposes.

DESCRIPTION of EQUIPMENT: This requirement is for the purchase two standalone zebrafish aquatic rack systems, one being a 6-row standard system and the other, a 5-row system with a quarantine/toxicology siderack. In brief, both standalone automated recirculating systems need to be equipped with computer-controlled pumps, filter systems that condition the water, and electronically monitor the pH and ionic strength of the aquarium water.

The rack systems need to have the following attributes and capabilities:

1) The two standalone zebrafish aquatic rack systems (6-row and 5-row) need to be equipped with drum filtering technology that does not require filter pads and canister filters and is able to guarantee the lowest fine mechanical filtration available on the market (26 μm), without using consumables. The drum filter needs to be able to remove organic material within minutes of entering the system.

2) The 3.5-liter and 8-liter tanks need to have an active siphoning system to promote self-cleaning, extend the life of tanks and increase water quality at tank level.

3) Autoclavable plastic baffles (certified polycarbonate or polysulfone) need to be available for all tank sizes and multiple life stages (300, 500 and 800 micron) with co-molded plastic mesh.

4) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to be equipped with a biological monitoring device that samples effluent wastewater for 8 weeks (for polymerase chain reaction testing).

5) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to have a sand-free biological filtration design that will not collapse during system shutdown.

6) All Racks need to have gravel image runners which allow tanks to be placed in a fixed position and provide environmental enrichment for the fish.

7) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to be able to accommodate an automatic feeding system if there is a future need by investigators.

8) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to incorporate a sentinel tank in which the fish in this tank receive filtered, but not UV sterilized water. This will allow fish in the sentinel tank to be used for pathology testing to determine whether any pathogens or diseases exist in the system.

9) Shelves of the 6-row system and non-quarantine/toxicology side of the 5-row system should be suitable for the use of 1.1-liter, 2.4-liter, 3.5-liter, and 8.0-liter tanks separately or altogether according to the need of the user without requiring any change at rack level.

10) The quarantine/toxicology siderack on the 5-row standalone aquatic system needs to be able to accommodate ten polysulfone 3.5-liter tanks or five 8-liter polysulfone tanks, or any configuration in between.

11) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to have valves which allow for fine adjustment of water flow at the tank level.

12) Each water flow valve needs to have a clear visual indicator when the flow of water is stopped. The flow regulation valve and the inlet water on/off should be separated.

13) The water flow valves do not include a hose of any kind.

14) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to be equipped with a standard Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) touch screen interface with automatic dosing for pH and Conductivity allowing the user to easily track and control the water quality set points.

15) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to be equipped to handle automatic water changes daily that is gradually replaced over a 24-hour period. The user can adjust as needed.

16) The 6-row and 5-row systems need to have a stainless-steel ultraviolet sterilizer which provides disinfection at least 180,000 μWatt/sec/cm2 disinfection rate at the end of lamp life (9,000 hours).

17) The Programmable Logic Controller systems need to automatically maintain the water temperature at the setpoint value +/- 3°C of the ambient room temperature. This needs to be controlled by an on-board heater.

18) The water flow rates on both systems need to run at a minimum flow of 4-6 water changes per hour at tank level on all rows.

19) All Racks need to be manufactured from AISI 316L-grade stainless steel and epoxy powder coated. Racks also need to have adjustable feet for leveling.

20) All Racks and filtration equipment is elevated above floor to allow for ease of cleaning.

21) Rack and tank positions need to be labeled for easy identification.

22) The tanks need to be manufactured from light blue transparent polycarbonate material that reduce algae growth and increased visibility, as well as provide fish with a uniform light environment.

23) Each tank type/size needs to be available in polycarbonate or polysulfone and autoclavable.

24) In both systems, the water should not have contact with the lid before entering inside the tank.

25) The tanks should have “V” shaped bottoms in the center position length wise, which slope towards the siphon suction point while sitting parallel on the black tank runners.

26) Racks should be able to accommodate breeding tanks (1.0L) for internal breeding.

27) Data can be downloaded through a dedicated USB port located at the user interface and the system is able to send alarm notifications.

28) The ability to add a spawning platform for group breeding without having to remove fish from the system to breed.

29) The rack systems need to be compatible with the I-spawn Breeding System that is connected to the Main Filtration System. This breeding tank uses controlled shallow water to induce spawning for up to 200 adult zebrafish.

30) Availability of Technicians that can be dispatched for emergency, warranty, and service visits.

31) A 24-Hour Emergency Support Team that is provided at no charge to customers for the life of the system.

32) The systems are certified ISO 14001 (environmental sustainability practices).

33) The systems are certified ISO 9001 (certified for quality control).

Electrical Requirements: The aquatic systems need to have electrical requirements of 115

VAC, 60 Hz, and plugs that connect into standard AC receptacles.

SHIPPING: Shipping needs to be performed by personnel trained to safely transport sensitive equipment.

SERVICE and WARRANTY: Standard 24-Month System Warranty on all non-consumable components.

Things to consider:

Is there enough information in the above description to provide a proposal? If no, what additional information would be helpful? Please provide any questions, recommendations, or other feedback you may have in regards to this requirement.

Please be specific and reference specific sections of the PWS, if applicable.

Based on previous market research, VA intends to issue the RFQ on an open market basis. However, if available, please provide any existing contract vehicles

(GSA FSS, GWAC, etc) you currently hold for which this requirement would be within scope.

Please provide the following: Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type (s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) under the corresponding NAICS code.

Small businesses should also include information as to:

1) The intent and ability to meet set-aside requirements for performance of this effort, if applicable

2) Information as to proposed teaming arrangements, the percentage of work each is to perform and which requirements are planned to be subcontracted, if applicable

3) In accordance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, indicate whether at least 50% of the cost of labor is planned to be expended for prime employees or employees of other eligible firms. This should also include the prime planned percentage and if under 50%, the names of the potential team members that may be used to fulfill the 50% concern requirement.

VA reserves the right not to respond to any or all emails or materials submitted.