Revised Statement of Work - Highlighted Areas.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

as of 09/25/2023

1. Contract Title.

LAB ANIMAL FOOD AND BEDDING, DIRECT DELIVERY

2. Background.

This is a one-year contract for laboratory animal food, bedding and other necessary care items for the Portland VA Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU). Reliability and reproducibility in research outcomes are the hallmark of excellent scientific research, and diets have major implications for the interpretation and reproducibility of study results in animals (Tuck, et al, Nature, 10, 17784, 2020). In order to maintain consistent intestinal microbiome, laboratory animals require the same source of rodent diet consistently. Also, this diet and bedding has to be irradiated and maintained under strict quality control from manufacture through endpoint delivery in order to prevent disease transmission. To maintain the necessary integrity and consistency of research, we must therefore use a distributor who can furnish the exact items listed in the quote. Items provided CANNOT be equivalent and MUST be directly delivered to the Portland VMU by the distributor. Included in this contract is a component to deliver food and bedding in the event of a disaster and to remove contaminated waste in the event of a natural disaster.

3. Scope.

This contract covers the supply of animal food, bedding other care items and environmental enrichment items for the VA Portland Health Care System Portland campus VMU only. It also includes the delivery of food to the animal colony as well as removal of contaminated animal waste in the event of a natural disaster.

4. Specific Tasks.

Task 1: Contractor will deliver products on a regular basis, as ordered by Veterinary Medical Officer or Animal Facility Supervisor. Contractor will provide exactly the types, brands and amounts of animal food, bedding, and enrichment items as ordered, with no substitutions. Items must be irradiated for infection control. Quantities ordered per week will vary based on current needs. Contractor must deliver animal food, bedding and enrichment items within one week of order for routine situations. Contractor must deliver animal food, bedding and enrichment items within one day of order in emergency situations. List of items to be ordered on contract:

Task 2: In order to maintain products under the strict quality control conditions that are necessary to prevent disease transmission, contractor will directly deliver (no third-party couriers) animal food, bedding and enrichment items to the VA Portland Health Care System Portland campus VMU. Contractor will provide pallets for item delivery. Contractor will deliver pallets to loading docks B103 and B101.

Task 3: In the event of a natural disaster whereby roadways are impassable, food and bedding will be delivered via helicopter and animal waste will be removed.

5. Performance Monitoring (if applicable).

The COR or Animal Facility Supervisor will inspect the delivered items upon arrival, to make sure that the delivered items are exactly those ordered, with no broken items or compromised packaging, and with no substitutions. The COR or Animal Facility Supervisor will compare order dates to delivery dates to ensure that delivery was made in a timely manner.

6. Security Requirements The contractor employees shall not have access to VA sensitive or computer information and will not require routine access to VA Facilities. No background investigation is required

7. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI).

No GFE or GFI will be required to satisfy this contract.

8. Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations.

To maintain the necessary integrity and consistency of research, we must use a distributor who can furnish the exact items listed in the quote. Items provided CANNOT be equivalent and MUST be directly delivered to the Portland VMU by the distributor.

a. No follow on work necessary.

b. No conflicts of interest

No COI

e. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria.

The COR or Animal Facility Supervisor will inspect shipments of animal food, bedding and enrichment items to ensure that the delivered items are exactly those ordered, with no broken items or compromised packaging, and with no substitutions.

The COR or Animal Facility Supervisor will inspect warehouse where feed and bedding is stored bi annually.

9. Risk Control These products are not harmful to humans, irradiated, and will be delivered/used in research specific areas, therefore no patients will be exposed to risk.

10. Place of Performance.

Products will be delivered to a government site – the VAPORHCS, Portland campus VMU, Bldg 101 loading dock and Bldg 103 loading dock.

11. Period of Performance.

01 December 2023-30 November 2024

12. Delivery Schedule.

Orders will be placed on an as-needed basis. Contractor must deliver within one week of routine orders, and within one day of orders placed in emergency situations.