Attachment 1 -Purchase Description.pdf

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

Marmoset Caging Racks and Stainless-Steel Pans

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has been given the unique opportunity to acquire one additional New World Non-Human Primate breeding colony and a renowned Marmoset user. The purpose of this acquisition is for Veterinary Medicine and Resources Branch (VMRB) to purchase a total of ninety-three (93) marmoset Racks and fifty (50) additional pans to house new world non-human primates. The contract will consist of a base year and two (2) other option years. The base year would consist of thirty-two (32) Racks and fifty (50) pans. The first option year will be for thirty-one (31) additional racks, and Option year two will be for the remaining thirty (30) racks. It is essential to note it is at the government’s discretion to exercise each option. These racks and pans will be integrated into the NIMH existing rack system and allow the breeding colonies and the investigators to continue housing non-human primates safely in the animal facility.

2. Background Information and Objective:

This procurement is directly related to NIMH’s expanding marmoset research and breeding program. In addition, NIMH is converting previous rodent research holding to support the new marmoset neuroscience initiatives. The design of this group of caging will now address our investigators’ current research requirements and will seamlessly accommodate their unique, specialized cage-level testing apparatus.

This acquisition aims to procure marmoset cages for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Veterinary Medicine and Resource Branch (VMRB). VMRB supports investigators who use animals to research the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders.

These racks will be integrated into the existing National Institute of Mental Health New World NHP racks inventory. They will allow the Intramural Program to continue safely housing new world non-human primates in gang and family group housing scenarios, with no adverse impact on ongoing research programs.

Responses to this solicitation shall, at a minimum, provide capability statements to include current in-house capability and capacity to meet this requirement and detailed drawings and specifications to meet all specified requirements for technical evaluation.

As part of the technical evaluation:

A. The Contractors shall also provide a synopsis of their experience designing, fabricating, non-human primate caging, particularly marmoset caging.

B. Provide a list of three prior, completed projects of the exact nature within the past five (5) years, including date(s) of sale, description, dollar value, client name, client address, client point of contact name, client point of contact mailing address, client point of the contact phone number, and client point of contact email address.

C. Contractors shall furnish detailed drawings and written specifications to meet all specified requirements for acceptance by the Government and their bid proposal.

D. Proposals will be evaluated for their understanding of the Government’s requirements and ability to provide a safe, secure, durable social housing environment for marmoset, as outlined in the bullets below.

E. The Offeror's Proposal must thoroughly address Bullets E.1-E.4.

1. Provide a written statement on how the proposed racking/caging systems will be compatible with the programs’ current racking/caging system in terms of the salient characteristics specifications and attachment one as described below.

• The proposed rack/cage system shall o connect seamlessly side to side with the programs’ current rack/cage systems.

Passthrough connections from cage to cage shall be leveled to allow the Marmosets a smooth transition from one cage to another.

One passthrough access panel is located on the left side of each cage, and one passthrough access panel is located on the right side of each cage. When two side-by-side racks are linked, the animals will access both cages from either rack (side-by-side) by the passthrough access panel.

o Allow the program to use the stainless-steel excrement pans interchangeably with the proposed rack/cage system and the program’s existing rack/cage system.

• The discussion shall include how the proposed racking/cage system will be integrated with the programs’ current racking/caging systems to facilitate cage part interchangeability, minimize the need for storage, and lower Government management costs to maintain efficient workflow.

• Attachment 1 provides detailed specifications for devices the researchers have modified to attach to our current rack/caging system. These include behavioral testing boxes, jump/transfer boxes, and other research apparatus essential to their ongoing research programs. In addition, testing equipment has been fabricated to seamlessly interface with our current racking/caging systems.

2. Animal caging must be fabricated to allow us to maintain the caging consistent with regulatory guidance.

3. Racks and cages must be easily sanitized and robust enough to withstand the rigors of mechanical washers and autoclaves.

4. Cages must be adequately ventilated, allow observation of the animals, prevent their escape, and will enable them to engage in species-typical behaviors.

3. Generic Name of Product:

6 Sq ft 1-Over-1 Marmoset Cage Rack Stainless Steel excrement Pan

4. Purchase Description

6 Sq ft 1-Over-1 Marmoset Caging Rack Stainless Steel excrement Pan

5. Salient characteristics:

The Contractor shall provide ninety-three (93) - 6 Square Foot 1-Over-1 New World Primate racks (2 cages per rack) and (2 excreta pans per rack) with an additional forty (40) excreta pans for change out with the following salient characteristic/specifications:

RACK

• 304 Stainless Steel

• Material: 1" x 1" x 16-gauge stainless steel square tube

• 11-gauge stainless steel sheet

• Size: 32-3/4” wide x 30-3/4” deep x 89-3/4” high. The overall dimension shall be confirmed during the site visit by all interested parties.

• Cage Configuration: 1 wide x 2 high — 2 cages

• Casters: Stem type stainless steel, 4” diameter RT (Reinforced Thermoplastic), Nylon wheels (autoclavable). Two with brakes and two without brakes.

• Racks shall be made of Type 304 stainless steel 1” x 1” x 16-gauge stainless steel square steel tubing and continuous stitch heli-arc welded, watertight with bead blast finish. Each rack will utilize a one-over-one cage design integral to the mobile rack/frame.

• Each compartment will have a stainless-steel water bottle holder. We currently use the Ancare H-100 brackets that fit the Ancare 16-ounce Macrolon bottle for our marmosets. A water bottle will not be included.

• Rack dimensions shall be 32-3/4” wide x 30-3/4” deep x 89-3/4” high” high and equipped with suspended runners under each cage to hold an excreta pan.

• Upon arrival, each rack is equipped with two (2) stainless steel excreta pans al.

o Pan(s) size shall be 29-3/4” wide x 30-3/4” deep x 1-1/4” high, made from 20-gauge stainless steel.

CAGES

• Cages shall be constructed with Type 304 stainless steel.

o 1/4” stainless steel rod (frame) o 14-gauge stainless steel wire (1/2” x 1” welded wire mesh) o 20-gauge stainless steel sheet o Approximate Size: 32-3/4” wide x 30-3/4” deep x 39" high o Construction: Each compartment will feature stainless steel mesh construction (1/2” x 1” spacing) in the front, top, right side, and rear.

o The left side of the rack will be made of a 20-gauge stainless steel sheet.

o 1/4” stainless steel mesh frame is continuously welded, securing it directly to the 1” x 1” x 16-gauge stainless steel square tube rack structure.

o Cage pan latch to keep the animals from removing the cage pan

• Each cage shall be 32-3/4” wide x 30-3/4” deep x 39” high, contain one horizontally sliding door that is 12-1/2” wide x 16-1/2” high, and centered on the front of a cage with two spring-loaded latches to lock the door.

o Material: 1/4” stainless steel rod (frame) o 14-gauge stainless steel wire (1/2” x 1” welded wire mesh) o Approximate opening size: 12-1/2 wide x 16-1/2 high o The door will be a sliding door, as outlined below.

o Each compartment will feature one (1) horizontally sliding door assembly with two lock latches to secure the door in place.

• Cages shall have sides, front, ceiling, and floors made of 14-gauge, 1” x 1/2” welded wire mesh and reinforced with 3/4” diameter rod frames with the cage left side made of 20- gauge stainless steel sheet.

• Each cage will not have gaps larger than 1/2” between adjacent structures (e.g., between cage panels and the frame, cage floor, and the vertical panels).

• Each compartment will feature stainless steel mesh construction (1/2” x 1” spacing) in the front, top, right-hand side, and rear. When looking at the cage doors, the rack’s left side will be a 20-gauge stainless steel sheet.

• Each cage in the rack will have three (3) perches as specified in the appropriate section below.

• Cages shall have a 1/4” diameter cylinder running front to rear in the cage’s upper portion to suspend enrichment devices.

• Cages shall be made with provisions for the attachment of water bottles to the front of the cage.

• The ceiling of the bottom cage is removable to allow the upper and lower cages to be joined as one large cage.

PAN

• Material: 20-gauge stainless steel sheet

• Approximate Size: 29-3/4" wide x 30-3/4" deep x 1-1/4" high

• Note: Each rack is equipped with two (2) stainless steel pans

• The excreta pan should slide in and be suspended on a small track of its own instead of resting on the ceiling of the lower cage – allowing the pan to rest on the ceiling of the lower cage would block the light to the lower cage and make it unacceptably dark.

• Pans shall be compatible with existing facility Marmoset Racks.

SLIDING DOOR

• Material: 1/4” stainless steel rod (frame)

• 14-gauge stainless steel wire (1/2” x 1” welded wire mesh)

• Approximate Opening Size: 12-1/2 wide x 16-1/2 high

• Door size: 12" wide x 16" high

• Construction: Each compartment will feature one (1) sliding door assembly with two lock latches to secure the door in place.

• Contain one horizontally sliding door that is 12-1/2” wide x 16-1/2” high on the front of each cage. Provide drawings to illustrate proof of concept before demo build.

• Two tamper-proof shielded door latches. Each latch to lock in the open position.

• The sliding door mechanism will allow for the attachment of a water bottle to the front of the cage, as detailed above.

FLOOR

• 14-gauge stainless steel wire (1/2” x 1” welded wire mesh)

• Approximate Size: 29-1/4” wide x 30-3/4” deep

• Note: Each cage within the Rack will feature two (2) removable stainless-steel floors to accommodate the following:

o The ceiling of the bottom cage is fully removable.

o The floor of the upper cage is fully removable.

o The space between the two cages will be fully enclosed with the same mesh as the cage’s right side/rear/front and the same solid panel as on the cage’s left side.

o The front of this inter-cage area would have to be constructed as a drop-down door with a latch.

o The drop-down door would lock the floor/ceiling/excreta pan in place and prevent animal escape; once the floor of the upper cage, the ceiling of the lower cage, and the excreta pan are removed, the upper-lower cages are joined to make one complete cage.

SIDE PERCH

• 14-gauge stainless steel wire (1/2” x 1” welded wire mesh)

• Approximate Size: 6" wide x 30-1/2" deep x 1/2" high

• Note: Each compartment will feature two (2) side perches and four (4) total side perches per rack. All perches shall be welded in place.

• Cages shall have two six-inch-wide perches made of 14-gauge 1” x ½” welded wire mesh supported by stainless steel angle brackets that run along the front and back of the cage edge.

o These perches shall be welded and hung 14” above the cage floor and run from front to rear on both sides of the cage.

• Welded perch/shelf assembly shall be provided rather than a perch assembly held in place with screws. Screwed assemblies are prone to loosening and separation over time.

• There should be no gaps between the perch/shelf assembly and the cage sides, which could entrap an animal or a neonate.

REAR PERCH

• 14-gauge stainless steel wire (1/2” x 1” welded wire mesh)

• Approximate Size: 28-3/4” wide x 12” deep x ½” high

• Each compartment will feature one (1) REAR perch and two (2) total REAR perches per rack.

• All perches shall be welded in place.

• Cages will have a third perch which shall be 12 inches wide, hang 24” above the floor, positioned at the rear of the cage, made of 14-gauge 1” x ½” welded wire mesh supported by welded stainless steel angle brackets that run front to back on both side of the cage.

The third perch will run from left to right.

• Welded perch/shelf assembly shall be provided rather than a perch assembly held in place with screws. Screwed assemblies are prone to loosening and separation over time.

• There should be no gaps between the perch/shelf assembly and the cage sides, which could entrap an animal or a neonate.

Additional Requirement: Linking together (2) Racking Systems: (Attachment 1)

This requirement includes the specifications to link the Program’s existing racks with the new racks being procured. The ability to connect two or more racks together is a critical design characteristic required as part of the procurement. Once joined together, the method of joining two cages must result in a stable and secure linkage with no gaps that could entrap an animal or neonate or allow escape. Animals carrying neonates must be able to safely pass from one cage into the linked cage. The linkage mechanism must be closed safely and slowly to ensure animals are not pinched or trapped by the closure mechanism when the two cages need to be separated.

The design must result in all cages being able to be joined such that any unit would be interchangeable with any other unit, quality control and consistency in manufacturing are critical elements. The opening between linked cages must be latched, locked, or otherwise secured in both the closed or open position and not be able to be manipulated by the animals such that once a human operator has set the door, it remains as it was set.

The Government has included the design process as part of this Purchase description to start the design process.

(Attachment 1) a general concept for the design, construction, and functionality of the modifications needed to link two racking systems together to meet ongoing research requirements for the final product.

6. Pre-Awarded Site Visit: The Government will hold one session on the NIH Bethesda campus to provide any required clarifications to the Purchase Description. Two sample racks will be made available to demonstrate the linking of the racking systems and for evaluation. To ensure that all Contractors have a chance to ask and review questions and answers. All questions must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer via email after the site visit. The Government will issue an amendment to the solicitation to provide the questions and answers. Pertinent measurements and dimensions of the rack/cage system must be confirmed by interested parties at the site visit to ensure the proposed caging (proposal submitted in response to the solicitation) will be compatible with the existing cage/racking system with functionality as outlined above.

7. Phase 1 Delivery Requirements:

Once the contract is awarded, the contractor shall deliver two (2) Demonstration Racks and all accessories to the government to test the compatibility of the equipment to confirm the equipment meets the specifications, durability, and compatibility requirements for this requirement as detailed above.

The Government will inspect the equipment within fourteen (14) calendar days . The contractor is expected to make the necessary modifications to the equipment if the Government determines nonconformity with the equipment within fourteen (14) calendar days at no additional costs. The contractor will collaborate with the Government to ensure that the identified nonconformities are remedied and that the remedy is acceptable to the Government.

8. Phase 2 Delivery Requirements:

Upon acceptance of Phase 1 delivery, the contractor shall deliver the remaining quantity per the delivery date specified under section 10. Delivery Date.

9. Quantity: Base Year:

Phase 1

• Two (2) each - 6 Sq Ft 1 over 1 Marmoset rack with excrement pans

Phase 2

• Thirty (30) each - 6 Sq Ft 1 over 1 Marmoset rack with excrement pans

• Fifty (50) each - PAN- Stainless steel excrement pan

10. Delivery Date:

FREIGHT Delivery of equipment to National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Phase 1:

• 2 Demonstration Racks within 30-45 days ARO

Phase 2:

• Remaining 30 units 120-150 days ARO after the Government acceptance of Phase 1.

11. Warranty:

• Limited warranty shall be extended to five (5) years from the date of acceptance by the

Program. Equipment will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for five (5) years. Warranty shall include shipping and handling charges.

12. Period of Performance: Base Period (12-months) and One (1) 12-month Option Period

13. Options

Option Period One (1)

• Thirty-one (31) each – 6 Sq Ft 1 over 1 Marmoset Racks with excrement pans

Option Period Two (2)

• Thirty (30) each – 6 Sq Ft 1 over 1 Marmoset Racks with excrement pans

14. Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Specs for Linking Marmoset Racks