36C26326Q0381.docx

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

NETWORK CONTRACTING OFFICE 23

111 SOUTH 18TH PLAZA, SUITE C125

Omaha NE 68102

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Michael Wicht michael.wicht@va.gov 402 996-3630

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Sioux Falls SD

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS Michael.wicht@va.gov

EMAIL DESCRIPTION Contracting Specialist Email Address

DESCRIPTION

The Sioux Falls Health Care System requires Noldus EthoVision and UtraVox XT and accessories with the Salient Characteristics listed below.

This is a sources-sought looking for businesses to provide the supplies listed below for market research purposes. No awards for a contract will be made from this announcement.

If you are a vendor that can provide the requested information above and required supplies described below with competitive pricing, send your information (to include your organization's Unique Entity Identifier number) with a description of proof of capability to: Michael.Wicht@va.gov on or before February 27, 2026. Only emailed responses will be considered.

Additionally, please provide answers as appropriate to the following questions in the table below with your response to this sources-sought. Failure to respond to the following questions may affect the acquisition strategy.

*If applicable, VAAR 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products, will apply to the potential solicitation if set-aside for Veteran Owned Small-Businesses. * *If applicable, VAAR 852.212-71 Gray Market Items, will apply to the potential solicitation.* *If applicable, FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, will apply to the potential solicitation if set-aside for Small-Businesses. * Identify whether any foreign end products, as defined in FAR Provision 52.225-2, would be provided to meet this requirement ( https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_225_2__d3401e52).

Sioux Falls Health Care System 2501 W 22nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 Project: SF Research Activation - Ethovision

STATEMENT OF WORK - Functional/Performance/Specification (Brand Name or Equal)

1.0 General Scope

This requirement includes research into animal behavioral equipment and warranty services as required for biosafety level (BSL) 2 labs. Sioux Falls VA Health Care System requires the following Brand Name or Equal items: The contractor shall provide all materials, equipment, assembly instructions, and delivery to Sioux Falls VA.

2.0 Performance Requirements

The contractor shall provide and be responsible for the technical assistance, development, and generation for final specifications.

Installation and delivery to the Research building, a one level building located on the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System campus at 2501 West 22nd Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. Ground level unloading is required. Installation window to be arranged during the activation timeframe with a tentative installation date of July 2026. VA will provide a schedule update at the time of award. At least ten-day notice prior to installation is required.

Duty hours will be 8am to 430pm, Monday thru Friday excluding holidays. The Government recognized US holidays are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If the holiday falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday.

3.0 PRODUCT (Functional/Performance/Specification (Brand Name or Equal)) This requirement includes meeting Brand Source or equivalent to the Noldus UtraVox XT System. The system includes UltraVox XT with 4 microphones, 2x deep learning workstations, 2x mouse-sized light dark chambers, 4s mouse phenotypers, 4x mouse-sized fear conditioning setups, 3 year NoldusCare maintenance plan, and onsite installation and training. The system will allow staff to track and analyze movement, activity and behavior of mice. The equipment would be used to study stress-induced disorders such as PTSD and addiction. System is an all-in-one system that allows researchers to conduct the following animal behavior applications: learning and memory; fear, anxiety, and stress; long term behavior observations, social tests, brain imaging and optogenetics, zoology and ethology, gait analysis, and ultrasonic vocalizations.

Sioux Falls VA Health Care System requires the following:

A. QTY 1: Software License EV160-01298-AANEIAAA and adding Social Interaction Module

B. QTY 1: Software License EV160-05746-AAFEIAAA and adding Multiple Arena & Social Interaction Module

C. QTY 1: UltraVox XT system with 4 microphones

· Operating system must be Windows 11 Pro (64-bit) 23H2 or 24H2

· Desktop requirements must be Dell Precision 3680 or higher; Laptop: Dell 3591 Mobile

· Laptop must provide USB 3.0 hub and support D-link 4-port DUB-1340, bit rate 5 Gpbs

· Memory must be at least 16GB of Internal memory (RAM)

· Hard drive must be at least 500GB Solid State drive (for data collection)

· Hard disk must be at least 1 TB free space (to store experiments)

· Microphones must provide 4 Pettersson M500-384

· Maximum recording duration must be at least 90 min D. QTY 2: Desktop Workstations compatible with Deep Learning E. QTY 2: Mouse-Sized Light Dark Chambers - 17.5cm x 40cm dark chamber; 25cm x 40 cm light chamber; 5cm door F. QTY 4: Mouse PhenoTypers G. QTY 4: Mouse-Sized Fear Conditioning Setups H. QTY 1: Onsite Integration, Installation, and Training I. QTY 1: Estimated Delivery Fee – Freight J. QTY 1: Warrantee: NoldusCare 3 years

7.0 SERVICES

Service required includes delivery of the research equipment to the research building at Sioux Falls VA Medical Center 2501 W 22nd St Sioux Falls SD, 57105, 90-120 days after award, in coordination with the COR prior to delivery.

Warranty Information – 3 Year Warranty or Manufacturer’s Warranty – Whichever is greater.

Sources Sought Notice