Animal Research Tech Services.pdf

Request for Information / Sources Sought Notice February 29, 2024

Contracting Office Address Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Acquisition Management and Policy 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857

Description

This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to gather information and determine the availability and capability of small and large entities to provide Animal Research Technician Services in Baton Rouge, LA, to include daily animal care, facility and cage sanitation, and animal handling and transportation. Small businesses are encouraged to respond.

The purpose of this contract is to provide animal care for the National Hansen’s Disease Program (NHDP) Lab Research Branch Animal Vivarium located in Baton Rouge, LA. Hours may include weekdays, weekends and holidays. The NHDP vivarium houses approximately 150 armadillos, 750 nude mice, 750 knock-out mice and 1,000 conventional mice. It contains environmentally controlled animal rooms, 150 nude mice cages, 150 knockout mice cages, 200 conventional cages and 75 armadillo cages.

The number of animals and cages fluctuates depending on research requirements and the health of the animals. Specific tasks areas include:

1. Provide care for a variety of M. leprae and M. lepromatosis infected laboratory animals including nine-banded armadillos, infected nude mice, knockout mice, and conventional mice along with the uninfected animals (all above mentioned species of mice and armadillos), to include:

a. Provide daily food and water supply for the research colony. Food supplies provided by

NHDP.

b. Sanitize 150 nude mice cages, 150 knockout mice cages, 200 conventional cages and 75 armadillo cages and environment of animal rooms including general sweeping, mopping, and pressure washing (The number of cages/rooms specified is a reasonable estimation of the current levels LRB maintains. The numbers will fluctuate depending on the experimentation and health of the animals. Cleaning supplies provided by NHDP).

c. The mice (all strains) cages shall be cleaned once a week and armadillo cage inserts shall be changed once a month.

d. All waste generated during cleaning shall be disposed of through the biohazard waste stream.

e. Humanely euthanize mice by CO2 gas and by cervical fractures.

f. Handle and restrain armadillos, nude mice, knockout mice, and conventional mice for injection with experimental drugs, antibiotics, and other medical treatments.

g. Administer feed additives, special diets, and medication under the direction of the veterinarian and/or investigator. Additives, diets, and medication provided by NHDP.

h. Handle and restrain armadillos and mice (all afore-mentioned strains) during routine examinations.

2. Perform standard operating procedures for animal care in the NHDP Vivarium to include:

a. Animal husbandry, occupational health and safety, facility sanitation, equipment operation, processing of newly arrived animals, animal transportation, feed and bedding delivery, environmental and disease control, euthanasia, and sorting, autoclaving, washing and folding laundry for the vivarium.

b. Make recommendations to the attending Senior Personnel, Research Staff, and technicians regarding animal care and facility operations.

c. Donning and doffing of the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for the NHDP Animal Vivarium.

3. Maintain population and cleaning records, to include:

a. Daily time, temperature, and date.

b. Cage Cards (describe the animal’s health, research experiment, and feeding habits).

4. Operate large mechanical cage washing machine, high-pressure spray cleaner, and autoclave with the proper sterilization indicators.

5. Provide basic nursing assistance to the armadillos as follows:

a. First Aid

b. Administer Medication.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administrations (HRSA), Healthcare Systems Bureau (HSB) provides for care, treatment, education, and research on Hansen’s Disease (HD, Leprosy) through the National Hansen’s Disease Program (NHDP), centered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Lab Research Branch (LRB) of the NHDP conducts extensive research and requires support services in their effort. The legislative authority for the National Hansen’s Disease Programs (NHDP) is Public Law 99-117, Section 2. (a.), Section 320, and is guided by Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations.

Contractors may submit a response under NAICS Code 541940; Veterinary Services. The PSC Code is R416; Support- Professional: Veterinary/Animal Care.

Interested potential offerors are encouraged to respond to this notice. However, be advised that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of respondents’ capacity and capability to perform the specific work as required. Responses must directly demonstrate the company’s capability, experience, and/or ability to marshal resources to effectively and efficiently perform each of the tasks described above at a sufficient level of detail to allow definitive assessment and evidence that the contractor can satisfy the requirements. Failure to provide sufficient information related to these functions will result in a finding that respondent lacks capability to perform the work.

Responses to this notice shall be limited to 10 pages, and must include:

1. Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and FAX numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives.

2. Capability statements and experiences related to performing similar functions. Must demonstrate past work experience.

3. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses.

4. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number, and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.). Companies also must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database (http://www.sam.gov) to be considered as potential sources.

To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure.

This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposals, a Solicitation, a Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the services contained in this announcement. This request is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this announcement.

Responses to this notice must be received by the Contract Specialist named below not later than 3:00 PM Central Standard Time on March 14, 2024, for consideration. Please submit responses via e-mail.

Responses to this announcement will not be returned, and there will not be any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. However, information obtained as a result of this announcement may be reflected in the subsequent solicitation, and HRSA may contact one or more respondents for clarifications or for information that will enhance the Government’s understanding. This announcement is Government market research and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses. HRSA will not entertain questions regarding the results of this market research.

POINTS OF CONTACT

Charisse Whitney Contract Specialist Office of Acquisition Management and Policy Health Resources and Services Administration E-mail: cwhitney@hrsa.gov Phone: 225-756-3785 http://www.sam.gov/