Attachment 6 - Q and A_20-001641_Amendment 01.pdf

Amendment 01 - Questions/Clarifications and Answers

NIMH-20-001641

Marmoset Cages/Pans for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Veterinary Medicine and

Resources Branch (VRMB)

No.

Reference (if any) Question/ Clarification Government Response

1.

Section 2 "…new cages to connect with existing cages through the use of modified cage openings”

Do the Salient Characteristics/ Cages cover the "modified cage opening”? If not, please provide picture of NIH's existing cages so we can see the “modified cage opening” and add more detail to the description if required? It’s also difficult to tell if the website link for the Lender King MARM303139-10 shows a normal opening or modified?

Modified cage openings are not part of the requirement. Normal cage openings are required, identical in size, form and shape as MARM303139.

2.

Section 4 “...30 additional excreta pans are required”

What is the material of the excreta pans?

20-gauge stainless steel.

3.

Section 4 “...30 additional excreta pans are required”

What are the dimensions of the excreta pans?

Pans are 29-3/4” wide x 30-3/4” deep x 1-1/4” high. Pans are stackable and have side stacking lugs for stacking when full.

4.

Section 5/ Rack (last bullet) “Racks shall contain two-wheel brakes…”

Are brakes on two front wheels or two back wheels?

The brakes are on the two front wheels.

5.

Section 5/ Cages (1st

“…contain one hinged door that is 12” wide x 16” high”

Does the door require a handle? If so, please specify design of handle as not to interfere with enrichment device, observations, training, etc. Please provide picture of door.

The door has two latches that have been incorporated to act as the door handles.

6.

Section 5/ Cages (2nd

Are the grid floors for top and bottom cages removable or fixed in place?

The floor grades are removable. The top of the cages is not removeable.

7.

Section 5/ Cages (last

Are water bottles and holders required?

Bottle holders are required on the cage front, bottles are not required.

8. How do your existing cages connect one to the other? Is it possible to have drawings/exact dimensions/pictures?

Cage connections are done in house and not part of the requirement.

9. Can you please provide exact dimensions/drawings/pictures of existing weighing and training devices?

The weighing and training devices are independent of the requirement and have been removed from the purchase description.

10 How do you currently operate weighing and training devices?

How do they interact with existing cages?

The weighing and training devices are independent of the requirement and have been removed from the purchase description.

11 In most of the cage designs, a dual-purpose nest and transfer box is included with the cage.

Should we include it in the scope of this project?

The nesting and transfer boxes are not part of the requirement.

12 Being an arboreal species, Marmosets benefit from the availability of vertical height. When compared to a one-over-one, a one-by-one design gives enough floorspace to meet and exceed current guidelines and also allows for a vertical height of 78” for any part of the cage, thus maximizing the opportunity for species-specific behavior. Would a one-by-one design be acceptable for this project?

The requirement is for a one over one cage that meets the requirements found in attachment 1.

13 The equipment must be brand name or equal and must be compatible with the NIMH VRMB existing Lenderking marmoset cages [MARM303139- 101]. Other brands must be identical in nature and perform to current cage inventories by allowing for new cages to connect with existing cages through the use of modified cage openings to facility family, pair and group housing arrangements. Cages must be identical in specifications to allow for current weighing and training devices to mount to identical areas of the cage front. This requirement is important because it allows for continuity of training and housing of animals thus reducing variability of animal behavior and related impacts to ongoing animal studies.

Is there a modification that NIH is performing to the cages, that the vendor should include in these cages, so that NIH does not have to perform any modifications to the cages once the cages arrive on site?

No, cage modification is independent and are not part of the requirement. The weighing and training devices are independent of the requirement and have been removed from the purchase description.

14 If awarded, would NIH be willing to free up 1 or 2 existing units for the manufacturer to confirm compatibility with existing units?

It is incumbent upon the offeror to confirm compatibility with the NIMH VRMB existing Lenderking marmoset cages [Model #

MARM303139-101],

prior to award.

15 What is anticipated/ estimated award time frame?

Do you expect any contract delays with COVID -19 status?

a. The anticipated timeframe for the award is April/May 2020.

b. The government does not currently anticipate contract delays.

16 For Bid number NIMH-20-001641 the bid asks for 60 Cages and lists the Lenderking Model MARM303139-101 as the model number to use as a reference. The model is a one over one cage. Does the 60 cages mean that there are 30 One over One racks for a total of 60 cages, or is one cage considered the entire One over One rack for a total of 120 individual cages.

30 racks consisting of 2 cages each which would be a total of 60 cages