Synopsis_-_intent_to_sole_source_(LL_Brooks).docx

Purchase of Animal Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Support Services for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Health and Environmental Effects (NHEERL) – Research Triangle Park (RTP) (NHEERL- RTP) Animal Facilities Government’s Notice of Intent to Sole Source:

NAICS Code: 561210 Facility Support Services. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, with LL Brooks Enterprises, Incorporated (LL Brooks), 4704 Alistar Court, Raleigh, NC 27612-6366, a 9-month period of performance extension for the provision of operation and maintenance (O&M) support services for NHEERL’s Animal Facilities located on EPA’s RTP, NC campus. Animal facilities O&M support services are currently being provided by LL Brooks in accordance with (IAW) the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and associated attachments for EPA’s current contract, contract number 68HERD19C0001. NHEERL’s Animal Care and Use program is composed of the Animal Resources Program Office (ARPO) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Together, they work to ensure the program is operated in accordance with the standards and policies of the Animal Welfare Regulations, the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide). The program holds a PHS Assurance, is licensed with the US Department of Agriculture, and has been accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC, Intl.) since 1982. The Animal Resources Program Office (ARPO) is charged with the responsibility to operate NHEERL’s animal care and use program and is entrusted with humane and responsible veterinary, technical, and husbandry support of all animals utilized in the Laboratory. The ARPO develops, implements, and oversees critical activities and services that promote a quality animal care and use research environment. LL Brooks, as the current provider, is the best suited contractor, capable of providing the required O&M animal facility services in accordance with NHEERL’s Animal Care and Use Program, ARPO and IACUC; the standards and policies of the Animal Welfare Regulations; PHS Policy; and the Guide and to ensure the NHEERL animal facility maintains its’ PHS Assurance; USDA licensing; and AAALAC accreditation, without which the animal facility would not be able to remain functional, for the time period identified. Not extending this contract for the specified amount of time would lead to unacceptable delays and/or cessation of scientific research and compromise in the mandated care of research animals. For these reasons, it is in the best interest of the government to put this contract period of performance 9-month extension in place to avoid a lapse of these critical services, until a follow-on contract can be negotiated and awarded. This contract period of performance 9-month extension is therefore being directed, without competition, to LL Brooks. The circumstances permitting Other than Full and Open Competition at this time is FAR 13.106-1(b) Soliciting from a single source, only one responsible source and no other supplies or service will satisfy agency requirements.

The intent of this notice is to state the Government’s intention to sole source this acquisition and to determine if any other source(s) exist. Therefore, no solicitation (RFP) is available. All interested parties who believe they can provide the required instrument should 1) fully explain their capabilities and qualifications in writing and submit same via FedConnect, a government web portal, within 15 days from the date of this announcement; and 2) must submit itemized pricing that is sufficient to make a determination that competition is feasible.

Consequently, any responder(s) failing to provide the aforementioned data but instead choosing merely to submit a routine letter requesting a copy of the RFQ will not be honored. Offerors must submit all technical questions / responses concerning this synopsis electronically through FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net/Fedconnect/. This notice and any amendments will be available via the Internet at www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/ . You must register with FedConnect as an interested party to submit questions and to view responses. Vendors can register with FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/. For assistance in registering or for other FedConnect technical questions please call the FedConnect Help Desk at (800) 899-6665 or email at support@fedconnect.net. FedConnect is a web portal that connects agencies and vendors to streamline the process of doing business with the federal government. Through FedConnect contractors will be able to receive, review and respond to contract pre- and post-award actions and documents such as correspondence, request for proposals, tasking instruments and contract modifications. The use of FedConnect also furthers the EPA’s commitment to moving towards a paperless acquisition environment by reducing its carbon footprint and conducting its business in an ecologically friendly manner. There is no charge to use FedConnect. In addition, all vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), as this facilitates registration for FedConnect. Please note that vendors MUST have their SAM profile set to “public,” otherwise FedConnect will not be able to access the SAM information required to validate vendor credentials. Registration, and information regarding the registration process, may be obtained at http://www.sam.gov . There is no charge for registration in SAM.

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