Request_for_Information_(RFI)_25-10332_-_Vet_Svcs.pdf

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI 25-10332

Center for Laboratory Services (CLS)

Veterinarian Services Request for Information (RFI)

Release Date:

7/28/2025

ISSUED BY: CDPH

California Department of Public Health Center for Laboratory Services (CLS) RFI # 25-10332

Table of Contents

A. PURPOSE 1

B. OBJECTIVE 1

C. RFI KEY ACTION DATES 1

D. CONTACT 1

E. BACKGROUND 1

F. RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS 2

G. DISCLAIMER 2

H. SAMPLE SCOPE OF WORK 3

I. SAMPLE COST WORKSHEET 7

A. PURPOSE

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is releasing this Request for Information (RFI) to request feedback on vendor capabilities as it pertains to Veterinarian Services. This is RFI is for Market Research purposes and will not be scored.

B. OBJECTIVE

The Center for Laboratory Services in Richmond, CA is conducting Market Research that will help foster future relationships with veterinarian vendors and assist with CDPH business needs. To accomplish this objective, CDPH is issuing this RFI with a focus on the following:

• Obtain feedback from firms regarding their experience and expertise.

• Receive feedback and budget recommendations based on sample parameters discussed in Section H – Sample Scope of Work.

C. RFI KEY ACTION DATES

Key Action Date

Release of the RFI 7/28/2025

Vendor Questions Due 7/29/2025 by 3 PM

Responses to Vendor Questions Posted 7/30/2025 by 3 PM

Last Day to Submit RFI Response 8/01/2025 by 3 PM

D. CONTACT

The primary RFI contact is listed below:

Primary Contact

Attn: Kamilah Morton

Email: kamilah.morton@cdph.ca.gov

RFI responses are to be submitted in email form to the above contact.

E. BACKGROUND

CDPH/Center for Laboratory Sciences is interested in a veterinarian with a specialized background in small animal care and well-being. A small animal veterinarian is expected to provide routine health checkups and vaccinations to diagnose/treat injuries and illnesses.

mailto:kamilah.morton@cdph.ca.gov

F. RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

CDPH is requesting information on vendor capabilities and expertise, along with estimations on how vendors would approach a Sample Scope of Work expressed in Section H and a Sample Cost Worksheet in Section I. Please submit your responses by emailing the Primary Contact, identified in Section D, by the date listed in the RFI Key Action Dates table. Please ensure your response, includes your company name, product/platform name, and responses to the following items:

• Budget Estimate based on services detailed in Scope of Work.

• Feedback based on services detailed in the Scope of Work and Deliverables-Based Cost Worksheet, including recommended additions and edits.

• Additional information a vendor would find useful for CDPH to have during the development of any future solicitations for these services.

G. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.

A response to this RFI is not an offer and cannot be accepted by the State to form a binding contract.

This RFI is solely designed to provide CDPH with meaningful information to enable CDPH to determine how to proceed with future agreements.

RFI Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The State is not responsible for any expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

The submission of a response does not constitute any commitment on the part of the interested party. However, the RFI Respondent agrees that the submitted information is correct to the best of the RFI Respondent’s knowledge. CDPH is also interested in learning the reasons for not submitting a response.

RFI Respondents are advised that all documents submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the State of California and will be regarded as public records under the California Public Records Act (PRA) pursuant to Government Code section 6250 et seq. The intent of this RFI is for Market Research purposes. Respondents should be aware that marking the response or questions “confidential” or “proprietary” will not exclude that content if the Department receives a PRA request. Please do not include any confidential or proprietary information in responses to this RFI as it will be subject to the PRA and may be disclosed to the public under the PRA.

H. SAMPLE SCOPE OF WORK

Deliverable Detailed Description and Expected Outcome Estimated Frequency

1. Animal Care and Use Inspections and Program Review

A. Review the CDPH animal care and use program for the humane care and use of animals.

B. Inspect the animal facilities; assist in preparing reports to the Institutional Official of the Institutional Animal Care and Use evaluations; review animal welfare concerns.

C. Make recommendations to the Institutional Official on any aspect of the animal program, facilities, or personnel training.

D. Conduct program reviews and facility inspections at least every 6 months.

E. Inspection-related work (frequency of at least twice a year, up to 5 times a year).

1) Provide routine vivarium inspections.

2) Participate in preliminary and pre-inspection activities to ensure compliance and successful inspection outcomes.

3) Conduct an on-site semiannual facility inspection with the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee), following checklist and inspection protocol.

4) Participate in semiannual program review following OLAW (NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare) semiannual review checklist.

5) Participate in semiannual IACUC meeting; Review and communicate inspection findings with the IACUC committee.

6) As needed, conduct post-inspection meetings to discuss findings, review CDPH labs’ protocols, and provide subject matter expertise.

7) Follow up on moderate to critical post-inspection items.

8) Provide subject matter expertise and guidance to inspectors during the triennial Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) inspection and accreditation.

Every 2-3 months.

Maximum of 15 times through the duration of the agreement.

Deliverable Detailed Description and Expected Outcome Estimated Frequency

2. Development of Program Description

A. Annually review and update the California Department of Public Health’s Animal Use and Care Program Description document and finalize for the triannual AAALAC accreditation. AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through a voluntary accreditation program. More than 1,140+ companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 52 countries/regions have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. These institutions volunteer to participate in AAALAC's program, in addition to complying with all applicable local and national laws that regulate animal research.

B. Assist CDPH staff in the writing and review of guidelines, policy, and Standard Operating Procedures.

Yearly

Maximum twice over the duration of the agreement.

3. Review and approve animal use protocols

A. Review and approve activities related to the care and use of animals.

B. Review and approve proposed significant changes to the use of animals in ongoing activities and be authorized to suspend any activity involving animals.

C. Post-approval monitoring occurs annually, and new protocols are reviewed in detail every three years.

Yearly

Maximum twice over the duration of the agreement.

4. Occupation Health review and recommendatio ns

A. Provide guidance and recommendations on staff safety when working and handling animals and associated equipment, including allergy prevention, noise and hearing protection, required vaccinations, and other relevant Occupational Health items. May include feedback for H building visitors on allergy prevention.

As Needed.

Maximum twice over the duration of the agreement.

5. Other Attending Veterinarian Duties

A. Serve as the CDPH Attending Veterinarian reporting to the Public Health Laboratory Director of the Center for Laboratory Sciences as required by the Animal Welfare Act, with the primary responsibility, support, and authority to care for the health and well-being of all laboratory animals used at the institution.

B. Routine services and licensing requirements:

1) Serve as active member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and maintain

As Needed.

Maximum of twenty hours over the life of the agreement.

https://www.aaalac.org/accreditation-program/what-is-aaalac-accreditation/

Deliverable Detailed Description and Expected Outcome Estimated Frequency health and biosafety competency. Provide animal health monitoring and biosafety consultation, as needed.

2) Provide access to animal care and lab use training and resources.

3) Available for emergency consultative services for CDPH staff, including after hours and holidays observed by the CDPH.

4) Arrange for a backup veterinarian contact and support when not available or if on leave.

5) Work and communicate in a timely manner with Animal Facility Section, IACUC (Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee), FMS (Facility Management Services), and CDPH labs and programs that need IACUC and Veterinarian services.

6) Review and update animal service logs upon request and advise CDPH staff as necessary.

7) Assist in developing and reviewing regulatory compliance and accreditation documents prior to tri-annual AAALAC International inspection.

8) Provide necessary animal care training to CDPH animal care staff.

9) Provide veterinary consultation on animal care and use protocols.

10) Provide other veterinary services as needed.

6. Whistleblower Corrective Action Call and Violation of Animal Laboratory Use

A. Inspection for the California Animal Laboratory Use and Approval Program:

1) In the event that a complaint against one of the accredited research laboratories that use rats, mice, and birds, the Veterinarian will work with the Principal Investigator (PI) and the IACUC to investigate filed complaint and gather documents.

2) Conduct inspection, generate final report, and provide subject matter expertise to complete the complaint investigation.

3) Identify violation(s) and actions for noncompliance or violation of the Animal Welfare Regulations.

As Needed.

Maximum of once per agreement period.

Deliverable Detailed Description and Expected Outcome Estimated Frequency

4) Submit required letter and other documents related to the investigation.

7. Mass Colony Euthanasia

A. As part of the Continuity of Operations Plan, the colony of mice will be euthanized under the following situations:

1) Catastrophic event.

2) For noncompliance or violation of the Animal Welfare Regulations.

As Needed.

Maximum of once per agreement period.

I. SAMPLE COST WORKSHEET

Category Deliverable Cost per Deliverable Qty Units Total

Cost

Task 1 1. Animal Care and Use Inspections and Program Review X 15 Reviews = $0.00

Task 2 2. Development of Program Description X 2 Reports = $0.00

Task 3 3. Review and approve animal use protocols X 2 Reviews = $0.00

Task 4 4. Occupation Health review and recommendations X 2 Reviews = $0.00

Task 5 5. Other Attending Veterinarian Duties X 20 Hours = $0.00

Task 6 6. Whistleblower Corrective Action Call and Violation of Animal Laboratory Use X 1 Inspections = $0.00

Task 7 7. Mass Colony Euthanasia X 1 Events = $0.00

Unanticipated Tasks (not to exceed 10-percent of total cost) $0.00 Total Agreement Amount $0.00