Specifications.docx

Specifications New Rodent caging systems for B308C

Background:

APDL and DGIL scientists have an increasing need for new rodent housing systems to facilitate parasite propagation, infection of animals in vaccine development and breeding animals under Animal Biosafety Level 2 or Barrier rooms. The rodent caging systems requested must have a large capacity (80 cage slots per each single sided rack with total capacity of 640 cage capacity) for shared use by all scientists in the APDL and DGIL. The rodent caging system (individual ventilated cages) setup consists of single sided or double-sided racks with automated watering manifolds, polysulfone cage base with built-in enrichment platforms, cage cover with filter holder frame, stainless steel lid, plastic card holder, standalone HEPA filtered air handling unit (AHU), and transparent hose connection kits to connect racks with air handling units. Importantly, this system will greatly enhance our ability to monitor and maintain the wellbeing of experimental animals in compliance with regulations and standards of humane care and use of laboratory animals. The proposed new caging system will provide full cage visibility, making the daily health check easier and built in enrichment provides increased animal welfare and therefore more reliable scientific outcomes. In addition, cages can be autoclaved upon cage changes to prevent cross contamination and any bio-security issue with the pathogens. Our current caging systems are not suitable for sterilization using autoclaves, which makes cages opaque and reduces the visibility. If not procured, it will greatly impact animal welfare, daily animal health monitoring, and initiation of new research.

Requirements:

· HEPA filtered Air Handling Unit (AHU) features:

· AHUs shall deliver up to 80 Air Changes per hour to each individually ventilated cage and AHUs must be equipped with two H14 HEPA filters: one for supply and one for exhaust. AHUs must not create noise influence in the mice audible frequency range (15-20kHz and 50-60kHz) in order to not stress the animals with ultrasounds.

· AHU shall have a touch screen panel for settings and control of air exchanges. AHU must have control humidity at the cage levels. This is a must have due to ongoing humidity issues at the building level and recommended to address this humidity issue during regulatory site visit.

· The AHU must be able to serve up to 4 single-sided racks or 2 double sided racks with the option of easily setting the number and the type of cages via the control panel.

· The AHU must be stand-alone and not mounted on the rack, in order to not transmit vibrations to the racks and noise level < 50 dBA.

· Built-in frame for filters bag-out and 4 pivoting wheels, 2 of them with brakes.

· AHU must have an audible alarm for any deviations in set air changes.

· Cage features:

· Each cage shall have flat base floor area 75 in2 to 84 in2 with a minimum height of 5.5 to 6 inches.

· Cage bottom and tops shall be manufactured with Polysulfone.

· Cage body shall feature a soft radial silicone gasket for sealing, protruding radially all around the cage base rim: no need for latches to achieve a high level of sealing. T

· Rack system shall lock the top to the base when the cage is closed to avoid accidental opening, without the need of buttons or latches that may obstacle the view inside the cage.

· The cage body shall feature an embedded enrichment to avoid costs for additional inserts as well as extra procedures, to reduce the effort required during the cage change and processing, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination.

· Half wire bar lid for easy access to the animal. The lid shall be made of high quality AISI 304 stainless steel, in order to avoid rust and oxidization that can affect the animal health, without any dangerous parts (sharp edges, v-shaped points)

· Rack features:

· Single side racks with 10 rows and 8 columns for approximately 80 cage places (or) Double sided rack with 10 rows and 8 columns per each side for approximately 80 cage places (160 cage places for double sided rack).

· The rack shall be ergonomic rack and top row shall be less than 6 feet of height in order to maximize density (number of cages per square meter) and visualization of animals during daily observations.

· The rack shall be equipped with polyphenilsulphone castors to withstand high temperature cage washers.

· Rack shall be compatible and equipped with automated water manifolds and the rack must have automatic visual indicators for cage properly docked.

· Rack with system of vertical plenums featuring nozzles for the supply and exhaust of air individually to each cage, both positioned in the top of the cage in order not to stress the animals with a direct airstream.

Quantities required:

Supplier shall provide complete rodent caging systems with all components to house animals in 640 individual ventilated cage setups. All components must be compatible and work as a unit.

1. Eight (8) single sided or Four (4) double sided racks with automated water manifolds (total capacity of 640 cage places).

2. Six hundred forty (640) Polysulfone cages with enrichment platform and auto watering grommet.

3. Six hundred forty (640) Stainless steel lids for food

4. Six hundred forty (640) Cage flat cover with filter holder

5. Six hundred forty (640) Plastic Universal identification card holder

6. Two (2) HEPA filtered air handling units with humidity control options. This is a must have due to ongoing humidity issues at the building level and recommended to address this humidity issue during regulatory site visit.

7. Four (4) to Eight (8) Hose connection kits (0.5 meters length).

Physical Specs:

1. Cages: Polysulfone with AISI 304 stainless steel wire bar lids

2. Racks: Stainless steel with Polyphenilsulphone castors

3. AHU: Standalone AHU unit with AISI 304 stainless steel structure must be covered by plastic covers.

Warranty:

Standard manufacturer’s warranty.