Attachment__1_PWS.pdf

Performance Work Statement Animal Care Provider

11 May 2016

Description of Services - The United States Air Force Academy has a requirement for an Animal Care Provider to provide animal care and husbandry for the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Laboratory Rat Colony. Contractor will also be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the Biopsychology Laboratory (room #5K18), Vivarium (room #5K16), Learning Laboratory (room #5K6), Auxiliary Classroom (room #5K10), Food Storage area (room #5K12), Classroom storage area, Cleaning supply room (room #5K14), Cage cleaning room (Biology Department-2P459) and the Foyer. Contractor will also be required to provide services on weekends and all Federal Holidays.

Background - The Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Laboratory maintains an animal colony comprised of Sprague Dawley rats. The number in the colony can range from 20- 60 animals; this number will be based upon class size, number of classes and if class is being conducted. There are only male Sprague Dawley rats in the colony and no breeding occurs.

Specific requirements - The Contractor shall provide animal care/husbandry services and clean the following rooms: Biopsychology Laboratory (5K18), Vivarium (5K16), Learning Laboratory (5K6), Auxiliary Classroom (5K10), Food Storage area (5K12), Classroom storage area, Cleaning supply room (5K14), Cage cleaning room (Biology Department-2P459) and the Foyer.

Rooms shall be free from debris, floor mopped, tables wiped clean, sinks scrubbed, etc.

Cleaning Standards are governed by the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals”.

This PWS addresses all the main concerns in the protocol the weighing of the animals, humane care, and proper cleaning as outlined in the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals".

Husbandry - The Contractor shall:

a) Provide animal care and husbandry for the colony. This includes weighing the animals and their food, feeding the animals three (3) times per week when class is being conducted, two

(2) times per week when class is not being conducted, and once per week on the weekend. The weight of each animal must be annotated in the weight book and on white board in Vivarium.

Proper and humane handling of animals is required. Handlers may be exposed to Staphylococcal and Streptococcal bacterial strains and animal bites. All animal will be handled in a humane and ethical manner.

b) Monitor the animal’s health and feed per Lab Director’s Instructions; feed Rats according to Laboratory Director’s Instructions. Record daily care requirements for each animal on the Animal Room Checklist/Temp-Humidity Log (see Attachments B & C). The Contractor shall inform the Laboratory Director if any veterinarian services are potentially required. The Laboratory Director will provide all coordination for potential USAFA veterinarian services.

c) Monitor the automated watering system to ensure system is operating properly.

Contractor shall flush the automated watering system two (2) times per week. Air and water filters will be changed once per month. When the automated watering system is in-operable or an animal will not drink from the automated watering system the Contractor is responsible for

Attachment #1 filling and changing water bottles. Monthly Inspections (see Attachment A) of various emergency water stations is required.

d) Transfer the carcass of dead rodents to the freezer in the Biology department, as needed.

e) Maintain inventory of animal bedding and food and provide requests for additional materials to the Lab Director. Contractor ensures cleanliness of food and bedding storage area, meets delivery truck from Circle F Feed and Ranch Supply or other source of supply as identified by the Lab Director at the south west loading dock and provides escort to food and bedding area (room #5K12). The Contractor will verify proper MIL (date when food was produced at factory) dates on food bags; not to exceed three (3) months old when delivered.

f) Receive animals from Charles River Laboratories or other source as identified by the Lab Director, weigh and feed animals and place animals in cages with clean bedding, at a minimum of once per semester.

g) Humanely trap and return escaped animals to the correct cage. This may expose handler to bites from trapped animals.

h) Contractor shall be available to feed the animals at from 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. when required.

This time frame is needed to ensure that the students are able to work with the animals while motivation and drive are still major factors.

i) Service must be performed regardless of weather conditions, with the exception of when the installation is closed. If a holiday falls on a normally scheduled workday and the laboratory is closed, service will be provided the following work day.

j) While providing weekend care the Contractor must ensure 24 hours has elapsed (this is not a requirement for Federal Holiday checks) between Saturday checks being accomplished and checks required on Sunday. While conducting weekend and holiday checks, the Contractor must monitor the animal’s health and log daily care activities on the Animal Room Checklist/Temp-Humidity Log.

Cleaning - The Contractor shall: Utilizing Laboratory Cleaning Checklist (see attachment D)

a) Transport soiled cages to the Biology Department for changing dirty cages and disposing of used bedding appropriately. This may include up to 60 cages. Provider will be responsible for operating cage washer and ensuring clean cages are always available. Thermo-tapes will be used on one cage per load in the cage washer to verify appropriate temperature has been achieved. In the event the cage washer is in-operable the cages will be washed by hand and will be required to pass a Luminometer test. The Contractor shall use pocket-swabs on a random cage for approximately every 10 cages washed; if the random cage does not pass the Luminometer test…all will have to be rewashed until they do. Contractor shall maintain cleanliness of Vivarium using aseptic cleaning solutions. Cleaning requirements include the housing racks (inside and out) and sweeping and mopping the floors. This must be accomplished, at a minimum, once per week.

b) Clean all related areas and equipment (to include operant conditioning chambers) as required to maintain aseptic work-sites and common areas. This may involve exposure to biological-hazardous wastes and materials and may require the handling of toxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and caustic chemicals. Maintain cleanliness of countertops, floors, walls and storage cabinets. This will require mopping as well as sweeping. Cleaning of Laboratory glassware/paraphernalia will also be required. This must be accomplished, at a minimum, three

(3) times per week.

c) Maintain cleanliness of Biopsychology Laboratory (room #5K18) to ensure aseptic environments. This will involve exposure to biologically-hazardous materials and wastes. Mix and maintain supply of Bio-neat and other chemicals as required. Contractor will be required to change the Bio-neat that preserves brain specimens bi-weekly. Contractor will need to dispose of various preserved and dissected animal organ tissue by taking them to the freezer in the Biology Department. This will involve exposure to toxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and caustic chemicals. This must be accomplished, at a minimum, three (3) times per week.

d) Contractor cleaning schedules will need to be adjusted to accommodate course schedule each semester (cleaning occurs before, between or after classes to prevent disruption). The schedule will be provided to Contractor when published. The Contractor will empty trashcans and ensure paper towels dispensers are full. This must be accomplished, at a minimum, three

(3) times per week. Contractor shall be available to provide support after the morning classes for Behavioral Science 335 (Learning and Cognition Class). Class times vary from semester to semester. When class is in session Contractor shall provide services evenly spaced throughout the week (e.g. Monday, Wednesday and Friday during semester; Tuesday and Friday when class is not in session).

Constraints: Contractor personnel shall have prior experience working with animals. Contractor must provide and specify a primary individual and a secondary individual to accomplish the tasks. Contractor personnel will need to be trained by the Laboratory Director before working with the animals. Individuals that have not been cleared by the Laboratory Director will not be allowed in the Facility due to security issues. Contractor employees must obtain a proxy badge from the USAFA Visitor Center via Form 111 signed by the Contracting Officer to gain access to Fairchild Hall; this will require a basic background check.

Government Furnished Supplies - USAFA will furnish all resources required to maintain clean and aseptic conditions in the laboratory and all personal protective equipment required. USAFA will provide all food and bedding required for the animal husbandry.

Technical point of Contact: Laboratory Director, Mr. Randy Torres.

ATTACHMENTS:

A – Inspection Water Station, dated 12 April 2016 B – Temperature and Humidity Variations, dated 12 April 2016 C – DFBL Animal Room Checklist, dated 12 April 2016 D – Laboratory Cleaning Checklist list, dated 12 April 2016

Attachment A

Attachment B

TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

VARIATIONS

DATE TEMP HUMIDITY SECURITY INITIALS

MIN MAX MIN MAX

Attachment C

Attachment D