Attachment 1 - Specifications 1135059.pdf

Specifications Project: Individually Ventilated Mouse Caging System

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: Acquisition of Individually Ventilated caging, racks, and air handlers to coordinate use with existing Tecniplast Seal Safe Mouse caging and individually ventilated racks used in support of ongoing mouse studies

2.0 Background: Due to research requirements, current mouse studies require Individually Ventilated Caging for the bio-integrity of the breeding colony and research studies. New caging must meet or exceed the current IVC caging. Failure to maintain the proper seal will result in loss of air supply, a break in microenvironment and subsequently a loss of research animals.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

• Cage tops and bottoms must be capable of withstanding autoclave temperatures of 134°C for 30 minutes.

• Cages must be 100% clear for daily health checks.

• All microbiological filters must be certified with a Virus Filtration Efficiency ≥

99.97% (average) and a Bacteria Filtration Efficiency ≥ 99.99% (average).

• All microbiological filters must ensure at least 72 hours of survival time of 5 adult mice in case of static conditions.

• Cages must have external water bottles that can be changed independently without requiring removal of the cages from the cage racks.

• Cage wire-bar lids must be made of plastic or high-quality stainless steel, to avoid rust and oxidization.

• The cage top must be capable of being lifted and staying vertical in the open position to allow staff members to work with mice.

• All inlet and outlet air nozzle valves must be self-closing and protected by silicone O-rings to insure sealing even when the cage is undocked from the rack.

• Cage top and bottom must lock together when closed without buttons or latches.

• Cages must include a cage card holder that is positioned to cover ≤50% of the cage front.

• Cage racks must have air nozzles for supply and exhaust going to each cage, both positioned in the top of the cage.

• The cage rack must have automatic visual indicators to show that cages are properly docked.

• The cage rack must be equipped with Polyphenilsulphone castors.

• The Air Handling Unit (AHU) must be capable of delivering HEPA filtered air up to 80 Air Changes per Hour to each individually ventilated cage.

• The AHU must be equipped with two separate H14 HEPA filters: one for supply and one for exhaust.

• The AHU noise must not operate outside of the mice audible frequency range of 15-20kHz and 50-60kHz.

• The AHU must be capable of serving 2 (two) double-sided cage racks holding 176 cage spaces each (352 total cages).

• The AHU must be a stand-alone unit causing no vibration to the racks.

• The AHU general noise level must not operate in excess of 50 dbA.

• The AHU must include 4 (four) pivoting wheels with 2 (two) have brakes.

• The IVC cage racks procured must be fully compatible with existing Tecniplast

SmartFlow Air handling units currently in use in our mouse facility..

• Qty: 352 complete sets of Individually Ventilated Cages, 362 water bottles and bottle tops, 3 IVC Cage racks (with 176 cage spaces) and 1 air handling unit, plus all accessory items, hose connectors and services.

Brand name or equal to the following Tecniplast items EMM Rack Comfort Double side 11L/8C FESU w/Smart Top-Flat Cage SS Lid Transparent hose connection kit for 101 dia. .8 meter length rack/AHU Standard Emerald Rack, Comfort (11 levels), 8 columns, double sided, 176 cage places (cages NOT included) “Smart Flow” air handling unit, 110V-60Hz, Fahr. Degrees, US plug UL complaint with touch screen for all IVC racks

4.0 Deliverables/Schedule: Units shall be delivered onsite within 60 days of date of award.

5.0 Evaluation Factors Lowest Price Technically Acceptable

6.0 Place of Delivery: USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Bldg 24, Ames, IA 50010