Attach_9_-_Addendum2_-_Tech&Bus_Instr.pdf

ATTACHMENT 9

ADDENDUM 2 – TECHNICAL & BUSINESS INSTRUCTIONS

In accordance with FAR 12.302, this addendum provides additional information and instructions to offerors to assist in proposal submission:

ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

These additional Technical Proposal instructions are tailored to assist Offerors in adequately addressing the technical requirements of this solicitation. The technical discussion included in the Offeror’s Technical Proposal should demonstrate that the objectives stated in the RFP are understood and should offer a logical plan for their accomplishment. Proposals which merely offer to conduct a program in accordance with the requirements of the Government’s scope of work will not be eligible for award.

Refer to the Attachment labeled “Packaging and Delivery of Proposals” for complete instructions on proposal format and submission.

A. Mandatory Criteria

All information that documents and/or supports the mandatory qualification criteria shall be located in one clearly marked section of the technical proposal.

B. Technical Discussion

The information below is provided to assist Offerors in preparing a technical response which adequately addresses the technical evaluation factors of this solicitation:

1. Quality Control Describe your organization’s quality control program for:

a. Health monitoring and disease surveillance

b. Genetic integrity

c. Animal Transport and Delivery (including monitoring of 2nd party carriers)

Provide a detailed description of the planned health surveillance and disease control programs used to assure the production of animals with the required health status for use as models in biomedical research.

Provide a detailed description identifying the diagnostic testing laboratory; the criteria used to select the laboratory; and the methodologies utilized by the laboratory for the detection, identification, and confirmation of disease agents.

Provide a copy of the two most recent health monitoring reports for all facilities from which government animals may be obtained. Provide information on any positive test results obtained during the past 24 months.

Describe your organization’s procedures for notifying the Government in the event of a positive test for a listed agent.

Provide a written description of the genetic integrity control program. This description shall include at a minimum, the number of animals to be tested semi-annually, the sampling procedures to be followed, and the techniques to be used to assure the genetic quality of the animals.

Provide a description of procedures for notifying the Government in the event of a genetic contamination.

2. Breeding Colony Management Provide a description of the breeding schemes used to produce genetically defined animals.

These schemes shall be designed to assure homozygosity of inbred strains and the heterogeneity of outbred stocks. The structure of the colony shall be detailed, and no more than five (5) generations shall elapse between foundation and production colonies.

Provide a description of the colony management procedures used to produce and maintain customer’s colonies when requested as specialized animal services.

List and describe the specialized animal services you can provide. (See SOW for a list of specialized animal services that may be required).

3. Facilities Provide floor plans (including building and room numbers) of all facilities where animals will be produced for the proposed contract.

Provide a description of the facilities and major equipment, to include facility construction, air handling and HVAC capabilities, type of water source, and the overall quality control program for environment factors that potentially impact animal health.

Describe the facilities used for rederivation and cryopreservation.

Describe the facilities used for surgery.

Provide documentation and dates of the most recent AAALAC accreditation, PHS assurance and USDA registration (if proposing to provide regulated animals under this contract). Include any deficiencies noted during the most recent AAALAC site visit and USDA site visit (if applicable), and the steps taken to correct any deficiencies.

Provide a list of animals (including strains and stocks) to be maintained in each room.

4. Husbandry Describe the types of caging or specialized animal housing used, as well as routine sanitation.

Describe the type of enrichment routinely provided for animals.

Provide the name/identification, vendor, ingredient list, and nutrient concentrations of animal diets used.

Provide a copy of the following standard operating procedures (SOPs):

a. Food and bedding receipt and storage

b. Pest control

c. Food and water monitoring

d. Surgical procedures (including methods used to maintain health status of animals)

e. Rederivation and Cryopreservation

f. Genotyping

5. Organizational Experience

Describe your organization’s experience in providing the services detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW), to include the following:

a. Providing genetically defined laboratory rodents and/or rabbits;

b. Providing surgically modified animals;

c. Providing laboratory rodents and/or rabbits with pregnancy requirements;

d. Providing animal blood, tissues, organs, and other biological specimens; and

e. Providing specialized animal services.

6. Personnel

Describe the experience and qualifications of key personnel (Veterinary staff, Geneticist, Surgical Staff, and Breeding/Technical Staff). Provide resumes of all key personnel to include educational background, training, relevant experience, and specific or technical accomplishments and publications.

7. Transportation Describe the methods that will be used to transport animal shipments, including a description of the routing, vehicle type, environmental controls, and sanitation procedures and frequencies.

List what information is provided on the packing slip and what information is included on the shipping boxes.

8. Administrative/Customer Service

Provide your procedures for addressing and resolving customer complaints under the proposed contract.

Describe your policy for issuing claims and/or credits (including surgically modified models).

Define your cancellation policy or policies.

Describe your policy regarding providing guarantees for time-pregnant animals.

Provide a copy of your current catalogue and price list.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

These additional Business Proposal instructions reflect the requirements of the solicitation. These instructions are tailored to the specific requirements of the solicitation and provide uniform costing assumptions and business clarifications.

The business proposal shall be submitted as a separate volume from the technical proposal. The following information should be used to assist offerors in preparing the business proposal.

1. Offerors should submit a copy of their most current commercial price catalog. Prices for animals and services will be evaluated based on the fixed prices show in the submitted catalog price lists.

2. Offerors should clearly indicate any further preferential discounts they are prepared to offer their most preferred customers or to other Government customers. Please indicate the discount that will be offered for the Base period and each option period of the contract.