SSN_75N94025Q00053_1.pdf

SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

TITLE: Cage & Rack Washer

PROPOSED SOLICITATION NUMBER: 75N94025Q00053

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE: 6515 – MEDCIAL AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,

EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. There is no solicitation available at this time.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of all qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses;

and (3) their size classification according to the North American Industry Classification System, (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set- aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 423450 – Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers, size 200 employees.

The acquisition contract type is anticipated to be Firm-Fixed Price.

BACKGROUND:

The NIDDK Laboratory Animal Sciences Section (LASS) provides support and guidance to the NIDDK’s intramural researchers for all phases of laboratory animal experimentation. The LASS is responsible for the housing and care of research animals and for enhancing their well-being. This includes managing animal care facilities in order to maximize the use of animals, animal room space, and animal care resources. The Building 8 animal facility is comprised of five rodent housing rooms and 12 holding racks with a capacity of around 1,800 cages. A complete cage setup includes the cage itself, water bottles, water bottle lids, wire bar cage lids, and cage covers. Cages and caging components as well as accessory equipment are sanitized and washed at least weekly in the Building 8 cage and rack washer. Adequate sanitation and washing is required by Federal regulations, accrediting agencies, and NIH policy.

A laboratory rodent cage and rack wash system is crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy environment for laboratory animals. The cage and rack washer is intended for detergent solution washing, clean rinsing and drying of transport carts, cages, racked utensils and bottles used in research animal care laboratories and facilities. This system helps to ensure the cages and racks used to house the animals are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, which is vital for both animal welfare and scientific accuracy. This cage and rack washer is critical to ensure:

1. Hygiene and Health: Rodents in labs can be sensitive to bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. A clean cage and rack system helps prevent the spread of diseases and ensures the animals stay healthy, which is important for the quality of research.

2. Animal Comfort: Just like humans, animals in labs need clean living spaces to thrive. A washing system removes waste, food debris, and other pollutants from the cages, making the environment more comfortable and reducing stress for the animals.

3. Consistency in Research: In scientific research, maintaining a consistent environment is key. If cages are not cleaned properly, it could affect the animals' health and behavior, which in turn could affect the results of experiments. A good wash system ensures that all cages are cleaned to the same high standard.

The cage and rack wash system uses a combination of water, detergent, and disinfectants to clean and sanitize the cages that hold the rodents. Cages are placed into a machine, much like a large dishwasher, which sprays and washes them with high-pressure water to remove dirt, waste, and other contaminants. The racks that hold multiple cages are also cleaned in this system. Once cleaned, the cages are rinsed thoroughly to ensure no soap or chemicals remain, leaving them ready to be reused.

In summary, this system is essential for creating a clean, safe, and comfortable space for laboratory animals, which helps ensure the success of scientific studies and the wellbeing of the animals involved.

The cage and rack washer is required to replace the existing cage and rack washer which has been in use for over 25 years and is at the end of its productive lifecycle. The replacement current must fit into the space dedicated to the existing washer without major renovation of the area, and without modification of building steam sources, water sources, or electrical sources.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this requirement is to procure a cage and rack washer for the NIDDK LASS.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

See requirements as detailed below.

SALIENT / REQUIRED FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

The following product features/characteristics are required for this requirement:

Chamber Dimensions: 46” W x 85” H x 92” D, pit mounted 10” depth, free standing with right hand service access and control, Washer Sump/Base Frame.

The interior walls are American Iron and Institute (AISI) 304 stainless steel with a #3 finish for long lasting durability. Exterior panels are AISI 304 stainless steel with a #3 finish.

Interior of double pane chamber ceiling, wall panels, and doors are insulated with two-inch (2", 50 mm) thick, compressed Fiberglas™ Batt insulation

Process piping, valves, inline heat exchanger, steam coils, manifold tubes, sump base, removable filter screens and chamber floor are made of 304 stainless steel

Cycle Functions: Prewash, Detergent Wash, Acid Wash, Acid Soak, Neutralization, First Rinse, Final Rinse / Disinfection, and Exhaust Phases

Automatic Seven Phase Treatment Cycle, Reciprocating Jet-Spray Manifold, pH Neutralization

A stainless steel heat exchanger is provided to raise the temperature of the incoming water by ~80°F (27°C).

Existing Equipment Removal with Off-Site Disposal

TRAINING

Vendor shall provide one operator & supervisor training session at during equipment startup. Training will cover equipment operation, Human Machine Interface (HMI) navigation, and common equipment questions (for up to 6 people).

Vendor personnel shall be onsite during normal working hours (please see Attachment 1 for the pre-registration process for visitors requiring access to NIH facilities).

DELIVERY / INSTALLATION

Inspection and acceptance will be performed at the National Institutes of Health, NIDDK, Building 8 Room B1-07/B01-11 animal facility cage wash area, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892.

The item shall be delivered and installed within 12 months of delivery order award. The onsite training will also take place at this time.

Existing Equipment Removal with Off-Site Disposal to be completed during same visit as installation

Includes equipment dis-assembly, rigging to loading dock, and removal from customer site

Remove associated debris to customer provided receptacle Professional Installation includes:

Transporting equipment upon arrival to site

Receiving and unloading of equipment on site, uncrating at the installation area Final set in place Equipment leveling and assembly Perform equipment startup

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

If your firm/business has an interest and possess the required expertise, the Government invites you to submit a corporate capability statement to assist the Government in determining in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502-2(b) whether or not this procurement will be set-aside for any of the programs described above. The associated NAICS code is 423450, with the small business size standard of 200 employees.

All respondents are requested to identify their firm’s size and type of business including the UEI number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification (TIN), and company structure (Corporation, LLC, Partnership, Joint Venture, etc.). Companies also must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov to be considered as potential sources.

Identification of the firm’s existing contract solutions such as Federal Supply Schedules contract, or any other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies, e.g., Best in Class (BIC) contracts.

Interested firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice should adhere to the following:

(a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills and ability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement should contain sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding your capabilities. The capability statement should not exceed five (5) pages using a font size eleven (11) or twelve (12).

(b) Small business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake the efforts should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. This capability statement should include: 1) the total number of employees, 2) a description of general and specific equipment available, including computer equipment and software, 3) cage and rack wash construction, assembly, retrofitting, and equipment disposal experience, and 4) any other specific and relevant information that would improve the Government's consideration and evaluation of the information presented.

Further, past performance is considered essential. In addition to demonstrating that respondents have met the above qualifications, interested parties should include, but not be limited to, a minimum of two (2) contracts performed of similar size and complexity for either Government or commercial organizations shall be provided. References shall include for each contract:

names, titles, contract number, total price or cost, telephone numbers of Government COR and Contracting Officers (COs).

(c) All capability statements sent in response to this Small Business Sources Sought notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to the Point of Contact below in MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The subject line must specify notice 75N94025Q00053.

Electronically submitted capability statements are due no later than 9:00 AM (EST) on April 9, 2025. The maximum number of pages for this submission is five (5) pages.

CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED AFTER APRIL 9, 2025 @ 9:00 AM EST

WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

This announcement is Government market research and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses.

It is emphasized that this is a notice for planning and information purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall be submitted before the closing date and time to the attention of the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer listed below.

Primary Point of Contact:

Trish Matthews Contract Specialist trish.matthews@nih.gov

Secondary Point of Contact:

Airron Wiggins Contracting Officer airron.wiggins@nih.gov

Contracting Office Address:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 6710-B Rockledge Drive.

Bethesda, Maryland 20892

Controlled Unclassified Information

Controlled Unclassified Information

M a r c h 1 1 , 2 0 2 5

Vis i tN IH Vendor Memo Overview:

NIH recently implemented a pre-registration process for visitors coming to the Bethesda Main Campus, as well as the satellite facilities listed below, in alignment with the HHS Foreign National Access Management Policy

(FNAMP). In accordance with the NIH Non-U.S. Person Visitor Access Policy and Federal Acquisitions

Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.241-5, this memo serves to notify NIH vendors and contractors of the related changes described below.

New Requirements:

Pre-registration is required for access to applicable NIH facilities for non-U.S. persons (those who are not U.S.

citizens or permanent residents with a Green Card) who do not possess a valid NIH Identification Badge. Pre-registration requests must be initiated by NIH staff, and it is recommended that pre-registration be completed

30 days in advance of the visit to allow enough time for vetting and information verification.

Beginning on March 31, 2025, non-U.S. person visitors who do not complete the VisitNIH pre-registration process, or who does so but is not approved, will not be permitted access to the NIH facilities listed below.

Beginning April 28, 2025, non-U.S. person visitors will be required to have an escort who is an NIH staff member and U.S. person. These escort requirements will apply to the NIH facilities listed below.

Applicability:

Pre-registration and escort requirements apply to the following NIH facilities. Additional NIH facilities will implement these requirements at a later date to be determined.

• Bethesda Main Campus

• 5601 Fishers Lane

• Shady Grove (9609 Medical Center Dr.)

• Biomedical Research Center-Bayview

• NIH Animal Center at Poolesville

• Ft. Detrick

• Rocky Mountain Laboratories (MT)

Who to Contact:

Please review the information on the security.nih.gov visitor site, including FAQs, or contact your NIH

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for more information.

If there are any concerns about identification requirements or urgent needs for access, hosts and visitors should contact the NIH Police at NIHPoliceSpecialEvents@mail.nih.gov.

Attachment 1 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2F52.241-5&data=05%7C02%7Cphillip.osborne%40nih.gov%7Ccd21c4823d37441408b108dd3c9eb303%7C14b77578977342d58507251ca2dc2b06%7C0%7C0%7C638733374481655927%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mETKSENW%2F8OzVFK%2F5J1CvFe0GLFdUHziFYBsGyndi0Q%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acquisition.gov%2Ffar%2F52.241-5&data=05%7C02%7Cphillip.osborne%40nih.gov%7Ccd21c4823d37441408b108dd3c9eb303%7C14b77578977342d58507251ca2dc2b06%7C0%7C0%7C638733374481655927%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mETKSENW%2F8OzVFK%2F5J1CvFe0GLFdUHziFYBsGyndi0Q%3D&reserved=0 https://security.nih.gov/visitors/Pages/default.aspx mailto:NIHPoliceSpecialEvents@mail.nih.gov