36C26226Q0792.docx

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Network Contracting 4135 S. Power Road Mesa AZ 85212

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Jessica Brooks jessica.brooks3@va.gov 480-466-7940

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

VA San Diego Healthcare System

3350 La Jolla Village Drive

San Diego CA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

VETERINARY SERVICES

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone and other Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) DUNS number (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of small business, e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business, Veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUBZone business and (i) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below.

The San Diego VA Health Care System located at 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161 is seeking a potential qualified contractor that can provide VETERINARY SERVICES.

Important information: The Government is not obligated to, nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541940 ($10 Million Dollars).

Notice to potential offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov and complete Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Additionally, all Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Dynamic Small Business Search located at https://dsbs.sba.gov/.

All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail: by e-mail to jessica.brooks3@va.gov.

All information submissions to be marked Attn: Jessica Brooks, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 16:00 MST on May 13, 2026.

1. Contract Title. Attending Veterinarian at VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS)

2. Background.

The VASDHS is transitioning from a part time attending veterinarian to a contracting attending veterinarian. An Attending Veterinarian (AV) is a required position in any facility performing animal research in the VA system. VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) at San Diego, California requires technical and professional services for a veterinarian with specialty in laboratory animal medicine, requiring special training and experience in providing oversight of animal care. The position requires an approval of the Chief Veterinarian Medical Officer (CVMO), Washington, D.C. and in-depth knowledge of and experience in VHA Handbooks governing animal welfare and protection and VASDHS Memorandums and Standard Operating Procedures

3. Scope.

The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting the personnel furnishing the services under this contract. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide the following for these personnel as a minimum; workers compensation, income tax withholding, and social security payments. The parties agree that contractor personnel shall not be considered Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) employees for any purpose and shall be considered employees of the Contractor and will not have access to PHI.

The Attending Veterinarian (AV) shall establish, maintain, and supervise programs of disease control and prevention, zoonosis, and quarantine procedures; pest and parasite control; pre-procedural and post-procedural care; nutrition; euthanasia; and adequate veterinary care for all animals on the premises of the licensee/registrant. Preventive medical aspects of this program are in accordance with good veterinary practices and include consideration of potential zoonotic disease prevention measures, and consists of a program in accordance with the Guide for the Cre and Use of Laboratory Animals, The Animal Welfare Regulations Title 9 CFR Chapter A “Animal Welfare”, the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and VHA Handbook 1200.07. The successful candidate will be accredited, licensed in the state of California, live within San Diego County and be an American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) Diplomate.

4. Specific Tasks.

(a) REQUIREMENTS: The written program for veterinarian care is reviewed annually and updated when necessary.

(b) HOURS OF SERVICE Adequate Veterinary Care is guaranteed through regularly scheduled visits by the veterinarian(s) and trained Veterinary Medical Unit staff (VMU-S):

1) The Attending Veterinarian will generally conduct routine visits at the facility every month, but never less than quarterly.

2) The Attending Veterinarian will be on call 24/7 during normal and off duty hours, including weekends and holidays. A backup veterinarian will be provided for clinical care of animals at no cost to the facility if the primary veterinarian is unable to take calls. The backup must be approved by the facility.

3) The VMU staff will consult the Attending Veterinarian remotely, as necessary, between visits. Additional visits will be conducted as needed to ensure appropriate animal care.

(c) Duties of the VMC include, but are not limited to:

1. Ex-officio, voting member of the IACUC, attending IACUC meetings and semi-annual site visits.

2. Guides researchers, animal care staff, the IACUC and research administrators with respect to compliance with animal research regulations, guidelines and prevailing standards.

3. Assists in creating policies and standard operating procedures and prepare the animal facility for AAALAC, international, ORO and other regulatory site visits.

4. Assist with preparation and reviews compliance documents such as annual reports to regulatory agencies, PHS Animal Welfare Assurance, AAALAC, International, USDA, Central Office.

5. Provides consultations regarding design of animal studies, appropriate species selection and veterinary pre-review of each ACORP and feedback that can be in writing or direct discussion with the PI prior to submission to the IACUC for review.

6. Surgical and peri-operative care oversight, consultation and training.

7. Assists with the selection of appropriate anesthetic regimens and analgesia.

8. Consultation of research staff regarding alternatives to animal models and the utilization of the 3R's and harm-benefit analysis.

9. Performs yearly training session for all animal users on topics chosen in agreement with the IACUC and VMU-S including regulatory, veterinary medical and experimental topics.

10. Directs VMU-S in performing hands-on training for research personnel in biomethodology including but not limited to species specific handling, injection techniques, blood collection and euthanasia methods.

11. Directs health surveillance program for rodents.

12. Oversees quarantine procedures, reviewing health reports from approved and non-approved vendors.

13. Guides the VMU-S in writing SOPs for the VMU, Emergency Disaster Plan, and IACUC Policy. Reviews all SOPs to ensure within regulatory standards.

14. Oversees pest control program and is knowledgeable on product safety.

15. Oversees proper Storage and Handling of Drugs and Biologics.

16. Ensures staff are trained in species specific behaviors and that species separation is accomplished.

17. Promotes positive relationships between VA and non-VA entities.

18. Assists the CVMO if requested.

19. Participates in and meet with IACUC representatives to discuss and sign the report of each semiannual IACUC evaluation of the VA facility animal research program and facilities, promptly after the report is signed by the IACUC for presentation to the Medical Center Director, in person or by Teams, if Teams is approved by facility.

20. Reviews design plans for any animal facility construction or renovations, including equipment.

21. Notifies the IACUC in writing or by email within 5 business days of becoming aware of any matter related to the VA animal research program that suggests the occurrence of or is itself potentially a matter that must be reported to agencies overseeing the use of animals in research.

22. Participates in investigative Subcommittees as needed.

23. Maintains strong working knowledge of all relevant federal animal welfare laws, regulations and policies.

24. Consults with the CVMO and or senior ORO veterinarian directly with regard to animal research and compliance issues.

25. Provides input to the local research administrators preparing the proposed annual budget for the VMU.

26. Consults with the SRS, occupational health professional, and the Safety and or Biosafety Officer as needed.

27. Is an ex officio voting member of SRS and IBC committees.

5. Performance Monitoring.

(a) REQUIREMENTS: This written program for veterinarian care is reviewed annually and updated when necessary. This is performed within a week of request.

(b) HOURS OF SERVICE

1) Adequate Veterinary Care is guaranteed through regularly scheduled visits by the veterinarian(s). This will be validated by Vivarium Manager The Attending Veterinarian will schedule with the VMU Manager and will sign in at each visit.

2) The Attending Veterinarian is available 24/7 during normal and off duty hours, including weekends and holidays. A backup veterinarian is provided for clinical care of animals f the primary veterinarian is unable to take calls. This will be validated by Vivarium Manager

3) The VMU staff is able to reach the Attending Veterinarian remotely, as necessary, between visits. Additional visits are conducted as necessary. This will be validated by Vivarium Manager

(c) Duties of the VMC will be verified by Vivarium Manager, IACUC administrator:

1. Attends all semi-annual inspections at least 90% of all IACUC meetings.

2. Available in a reasonable time (within 3 days) for all staff when requested. Or emergencies, available within an hour.

3. Reviews all policies and procedures with 3 days when requested. When creating new policies or procedures, has a first draft available within a week.

4. Reviews all reports and compliance documents within the requested time frame, which will vary with complexity of documents.

5. Available for consultation with a 3 day time frame when requested by researchers. Performs pre-review of ACORPs and amendments within 3 days of request by IACUC coordinator. Provides veterinarian license when requested for purchase of drugs and supplies.

6. Provides Surgical and peri-operative care oversight, consultation and training within the requested time frame. For example, oversight of animals with no issues is performed during on-site visits; oversight and consultation of animals with issues is performed within 24 hours.

7. Assists with the selection of appropriate anesthetic regimens and analgesia at the time of ACORP and amendment pre-review and consultation, within time frame noted in point 5.

8. Consultation of research staff regarding alternatives to animal models and the utilization of the 3R's and harm-benefit analysis. Performed at time of request by investigator within 3 days or review of ACORP or amendments within 3 days of review request.

9. Performs yearly training session within 60 day time frame of the past year

10. Directs VMU-S in performing hands-on training for research personnel within one week of request.

11. Reviews and advises on health surveillance program SOP and/or changes in program within 3 days of receiving document or request.

12. Reviews health reports and approves or disapproves incoming transfers within 3 days. Reviews reports for release from quarantine within 3 days.

13. Reviews all SOPs to ensure within regulatory standards within two weeks, depending on number of documents sent (e.g., 3 days if only two documents, longer if more)

14. Reviews products proposed with 3 days. Responds to request for additional pest control measures within 2 days, with consultation with vivarium manager.

15. During on-site visits and when requested for new drugs (within one week), ensures proper Storage and Handling of Drugs and Biologics.

16. During on-site visits ensure species separation. As part of training, within 2 weeks of request for training, ensures staff are trained in species specific behaviors

17. At all interactions, promotes positive relationships between VA and non-VA entities.

18. Assists the CVMO if requested in the time span and manner requested.

19. Participates in and meet with IACUC representatives to discuss and sign the report with the Medical Center Director, in person or by Teams, if Teams is approved by facility within time frame requested every time.

20. Reviews design plans for any animal facility construction or renovations, including equipment within requested time period, usually within 2 weeks of receipt of plans.

21. Notifies the IACUC in writing or by email within 5 business days of becoming aware of any matter related to the VA animal research program that suggests the occurrence of or is itself potentially a matter that must be reported to agencies overseeing the use of animals in research.

22. Participates in investigative Subcommittees when requested and within requested time frame (usually one week).

23. Maintains strong working knowledge of all relevant federal animal welfare laws, regulations and policies as shown by keeping up with all required Continuing Education to maintain veterinary license, accreditation and ACLAM diplomate status.

24. Consults with the CVMO and or senior ORO veterinarian directly with regard to animal research and compliance issues as needed and within 5 days of learning of issues that require their input.

25. Provides input to the local research administrators preparing the proposed annual budget for the VMU when requested and within the time frame requested (usually 1-2 weeks).

26. Consults with the SRS, occupational health professional, and the Safety and or Biosafety Officer as needed and within the time frame requested. For example, if an emergency situation, answers texts and phone calls promptly and meets with personnel in time requested.

27. Attends at least 90% of all SRS and IBC committee meetings

Sources Sought Notice