RFQ HU000126QE045 Questions and Answers.pdf
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- Attached to
- Large Animal Transport
- Solicitation number
- HU000126QE045
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) addendum to RFQ HU000126QE045 for Large Animal Transport carts. It clarifies specifications and requirements for bidders responding to the solicitation.
The transport carts must accommodate a 24-inch door opening from the top and have a nominal overall width of 29.250 inches. Each cart requires one guillotine-style front door assembly and one 26-inch-wide fold-down ramp in total, not duplicated at both ends. All materials must be autoclavable and capable of withstanding temperatures of 180-250 degrees Fahrenheit for up to one hour. The carts must be constructed of 304 stainless steel and designed to handle animals weighing 250-450 pounds. Acceptable tolerances include one inch variance on exterior dimensions and one gauge variance on sheet or tubing. The locking mechanism for guillotine doors and removable top panels must be spring slide/snap locking. Delivery is to 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 (the contracting office location), at a standard dock with escort requirements to be coordinated with the awardee. Since the estimated contract value is below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $350,000, FAR 52.219-14 and FAR 52.219-33 do not apply, and the nonmanufacturer rule does not govern this solicitation. The previous award for large animal transport carts was contract HT001420P0243, awarded September 17, 2020, to Allentown, LLC.
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Large Animal Transport
RFQ HU000126QE045
RFQ Questions and Answers
1. Width. The Background cites a 24" door opening in the animal housing cage that the cart must accommodate, while the specification gives a nominal overall width of 29.250". Could you clarify whether the complete cart needs to pass through a 24" opening, or whether the 24" dimension is an interface the cart's door or ramp has to line up with?
The 24” door opening is an opening from the top.
2. Door and ramp quantity. "1 EACH END GUILLOTINE STYLE FRONT DOOR ASSEMBLY" and "1 EACH END 26.000" WIDE FOLD DOWN RAMP" — does each cart need one of each at both ends (two per cart), or one of each in total?
Each cart needs one of each in total.
3. Autoclaving. The specification calls for the transport cage to be autoclavable while also naming a decking product for the ramp and floor and phenolic wheels for the casters. Are those materials intended to be autoclaved, and if they aren't compatible, which requirement governs? It would also help to know the cycle the carts need to withstand — temperature, pressure, dwell time, and expected cycles over the service life — and whether an equivalent slip-resistant deck material would be acceptable.
Yes, all material must be in the sanitation range of 180-250 degrees for up to an hour rated.
4. Material. What stainless steel alloy grade and surface finish are required for the panels, frame, excreta pan, and casters?
As stated 304 stainless steel
5. Load. What animal weight range do the carts need to handle and is there a minimum load rating for the deck, frame, and casters?
250-450 pounds range.
6. Tolerance. The specification notes that the listed dimensions are ideal and that reasonably close alternatives will be considered. Could you give us a sense of the acceptable range — for instance, whether one to two inches on an exterior dimension, or one gauge on sheet or tubing, would still be considered compliant?
One inch on an exterior dimension will be acceptable and within one gauge on sheet or tubing will be acceptable.
7. Locks. What locking mechanism is required on the guillotine doors and the removable top panel and should locks and keys be included?
Spring Slide/snap locking.
8. Delivery address and FOB. We have the contracting office at 4301 Jones Bridge Road and the place of performance as Bethesda, MD 20814, and Attachment 3 lists a WAWF Ship To code of HU0010, but we haven't been able to find a delivery address for the carts themselves anywhere in the package. Could you provide the ship-to address, confirm whether it differs from the contracting office, and note any dock, appointment, or escort requirements at the vivarium?
Related to that — Attachment 2 asks for shipping and handling and a total delivered price, but no FOB point is designated, so we'd appreciate confirmation of the FOB term.
Delivery address is the same as the contracting office and the university: 4301 Jones Bridge Road Bethesda, MD 20814. This is a standard dock. We will coordinate any escort requirements with the awardee.
9. Set-aside. FAR 52.219-6 is checked in the 52.212-5 clause list while FAR 52.219-14 and FAR 52.219-33 are left unchecked. Could you confirm whether the nonmanufacturer rule applies here and, if so, whether an SBA class waiver is available under NAICS 334516?
FAR 52.219-14 and FAR 52.219-33 do not apply to this solicitation. The estimated value is below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) of $350K. The subcontracting limitations and the Non-Manufacturer Rule only apply to set-asides above the SAT.
10. Is there any incumbent/recompete or is this a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number even if the customer bought similar services in the past?
The last award for large animal transport carts was HT001420P0243, awarded September 17, 2020, to Allentown, LLC.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/4301+Jones+Bridge+Road+and+the+place?entry=gmail&source=g https://www.google.com/maps/search/4301+Jones+Bridge+Road+and+the+place?entry=gmail&source=g
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