TRP SOW IVC Racks.pdf

Building 40 Vivarium Rodent Individually Ventilated Cage (IVC) Rack System

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The Building 40 Translation Research Program, VRC vivarium has aged rodent cage/rack system that needs to be replaced. In addition to replacing caging for the current rodent population we are projecting the need for an increase in our total laboratory research mouse cage numbers to support new and ongoing research protocols. The purpose of this acquisition is to procure Individually Ventilated Cage (IVC) systems to accommodate the housing requirements resulting from the need and projected increase.

2. Background Information and Objective:

The Vaccine Research Center (VRC), is a part of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). The primary focus of our research is the development of vaccines and antibody therapeutics for AIDS and other diseases of global health impact.

The Translational Research Program (TRP) of the Vaccine Research Center is tasked with veterinary care, management, and oversight of the Building 40 Vivarium. The Vivarium currently houses approximately 3,000 mouse and guinea pig cages, consisting primarily of mice. The rodents housed in cages are used by VRC Principal Investigators and labs to carry out their research missions.

Due to the advanced age of the existing mouse racks and the increased demand for mouse housing, and due to the need to replicate the number of existing racks, the VRC/TRP plans to purchase mouse IVC racks, and cage components, equipment such as water bottle trolley and cage bulk trucks and a water bottle filler station. Currently, the VRC/TRP has 20 IVC mouse racks with associated caging, and a water bottle filler station. It is anticipated that there will be demand for additional mouse housing as new investigators are recruited and existing investigators expand their colonies. To accommodate this, we wish to increase the number of cages on each rack. The current racks are 140 cages/racks. TRP would like to increase this capacity by at least 25%.

3. Objectives

Acquisition of 20 IVC Mouse Racks with 192 cages/rack, ventilation units, cage components (e.g. filtered lids, cage card holders etc) with 100% change out, water trolley and water bottle baskets for 800 water bottles and bulk truck for storage of 700 cages and one (1) water bottle dispenser station with associated equipment (e.g. manifold) for filling water bottles.

IVC is intended to house rodents at ABSL2 therefore it is a requirement that IVC racks and ventilation systems are in accordance the DRM Section 6.1.12 https://www.orf.od.nih.gov/TechnicalResources/Documents/DRM/DRM1.503262020.pdf.

Animal housing and caging standards must conform to all Federal, State, and Local regulations, in accordance with NIH policy when applicable (reference http://oacu.od.nih.gov) and including, but not limited to, the following:

i. The Animal Welfare Act (P.L. 89-544, as amended) Rules and Regulations published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 9 (Animals and Animal Products), Chapter 1, Subchapter A (Animal Welfare), Parts 1, 2, and 3;

ii. Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, updated 1996.

iii. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, revised 2010 version (referred to as “The Guide”);

iv. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)_ NIH 2009]; and

v. Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals National Research Council (NRC) 1997)].

4. Specific Requirements

Racks

• Rack dimensions: Racks need to fit within existing floor plan (Attachments 1 and 2) specific to the room including the ability to fit through existing door frames and rack washer without personnel injury. Room doors are 92"X 41" and the ceiling in the rooms are 107." Should have 10 to 12 levels, 8 Columns, double sided, 192 cage spaces

• Ergonomic and aseptic consideration for accessing, manipulating, and visualizing cages as well as being able to easily visualize animals within cage without disturbing the cage

• Stainless steel rack construction

• Cage support runners

• Integrated cage lock with automatic visible docking indicator

• Able to operate at positive or negative pressure relative to the room

• Air Handling Units with ability to monitor and control humidity and temperature and to monitor the

HEPA filter status

• Includes all hose and plenum parts for operation

• Supply and exhaust ventilation air handling units designed to limit vibrations that could transmit to racks

• Ventilation fan units automatically adjust cage airflow for the number of cages currently on the IVC rack

• Ventilation fan units must be equipped designed for low power consumption

• Ventilation units must be equipped with temperature and humidity sensors in both supply and exhaust air paths

• Ventilation units must provide for automatic filter load compensation

• Ventilation units must provide differential pressure sensing capabilities

• Ventilation units must include basic LED power and alarm lights and must have the capability to be monitored and controlled with both options of a Wi-Fi enabled tablet application and at the ventilation unit directly without Wi-Fi

• HEPA-filtered (99.995%) supply and exhaust air circulated through the cages

• Supply air enters at either the cage bottom or lid, exhaust air exists thru the cage lid

• Cage card holder frame and cage card holders which do not fully obstruct the cage front when in the

“down” position

• Swivel plate casters must be equipped with polypropylene wheels capable of withstanding temperatures up to 290 degrees Fahrenheit without flat spotting

• Racks on four stainless steel (e.g. swivel plate retort casters, all with vertical locking brakes, stainless steel axles and nuts (e.g. precision bearings with zerk fittings and grease seals)

• Placement of racks into the room, and installation/connection of the ventilation unit systems with each rack

• Calibration of the ventilation system and ensure unit functions with the existing building HVAC

Cages

• Cages and lids are made of high temperature polyphenylsulfone

• Cage size must accommodate 5 adult mice and be in accordance with “The Guide”

• Silicone gaskets present on either cage bottoms or lids to fully seal the cage environment

• Cage lid and cage bottom self-lock when the cage is closed to avoid accidental opening during movement/docking/undocking

• Enrichment, ergonomic, and aseptic features integrated into cage design are highly desirable

• Feed hoppers made of high quality 304 stainless steel without any dangerous parts (sharp edges, V-shaped points)

• Cage lid design includes integrated external water bottle holder. It is highly desirable that the water bottle can be changed independently, without the need of removing, even partially, the cages from the rack

• Bulk trucks that can hold, transport, and store up to 700 cages with ability for equipment to be sanitized in rack washer at high temperatures and autoclavable. Rack washer height x width is 84.5"x43" and autoclave height is 84.5"x 36."

Water Bottles and Filling Station

• 250-300 ml water bottles must be autoclavable, preferably made of polyphenylsulfone or other material that can be frequently autoclaved. Water bottle must provide good sealing with the bottle cap.

• Stainless Steel Bottle Cap with sipper tube is preferable

• Water Bottle Baskets and transport trolleys/carts to hold up to 800 water bottles and with ability to be sanitized in rack washer and autoclaved.

• Water Bottle Filling station - with minimum capability of filling bottles in a basket and capable of filling 500/day bottles per day. Primarily tap water will be used as water bottles are autoclaved prior to being used in cage. Other solutions for filling bottles will be considered.

• Installation and service of water bottle filling station to ensure function

Other

• Warranty specific to VRC acquisition (Attachment 3: Building 40 Sanitation Schedule and Process for consideration) Please describe the following:

o Address whether and to what degree the warranty coverage is impacted by the attached

Building 40 Sanitation Schedule and Process o When the warranty for racks, cage, water bottles, tops and other parts starts (at time of manufacter or time of delivery?)

o How long the warranty is in effect. VRC would prefer at least a 7 year warranty for cages o The process and requirements for exercising the warranty and timeline for replacement parts to be delivered to VRC

• Removal and consideration for discount of existing IVC rack and aged equipment, including the following:

o IVC racks (20 - Lab Products Super Mouse 750 140 cage racks) o water bottle dispenser (Edstrom Bottle Filling Station with interchangeable manifolds and a reservoir tank)

• Describe the resources available and turnaround time for ordering/delivering rack parts, cages, water bottles etc. This includes the resources available after initial delivery and award with regards to ordering spare cages, water bottles, lids, and other parts. Describe if cages and parts are available for immediate delivery or what is the standard turnaround time for ordering/delivering rack parts, cages, water bottles etc.

• Technical Information such as OEM information, voltage/ power supply, water supply HVAC air and exhaust requirements needed for IVC racks and installation for water bottle filler.

5. Deliverables

1) 20 IVC mouse racks, with sufficient cage components to fully outfit the racks and provide 100% extra caging, water bottles, lids etc. for cage change-out,

2) Ventilation fan units and installation as needed to meet requirements and complete commissioning of the equipment. Delivery of racks and set up as needed as well as removal of old racks (timeline may be staggered over a 2-month period and will be coordinated with the TRP facility.

3) Equipment for storing 800 water bottles including water trolleys, water baskets- must be autoclavable

4) Equipment for storing and transporting 700 cages (such as bulk trucks)- must be autoclavable

5) Water bottle filling station and installation as needed to meet requirements and complete commissioning of the equipment. Coordinate with VRC building 40 Facilities team for water hookup

6. Delivery Date:

The delivery schedule will be staggered and coordinated once awarded. Delivery date up to 180 days from award.

7. Period of Performance:

The period of performance is be for one (1) base year from date of award.

Attachment 1: Floor Plan

Room 1607: Animal Holding Room with 12 IVC and HVAC exhaust drops Room 1614: Animal Holding Room with 2 IVC and HVAC exhaust drops Room 1605A: Animal Holding Room with 6 IVC and HVAC exhaust drops Room 1611: Clean side cage wash with Water Bottle Filling Station

Attachment 2: Detailed Floor Plan

All animal room door openings are: 93”H x 41”W.

Room 1607: 480”L x 188”W Room 1605: 312”L x 173”W Room 1614: 131”L x 154”W

Attachment 3: Building 40 Sanitation Schedule and Process

Area

Washing/Sanitizing Method

(mechanical washer, hand washing, high-pressure sprayers, etc.)

Washing/ Sanitizing Frequency

Chemical(s) Used* Other Comments (e.g., autoclaved)

Solid-bottom cages (IVC)

Rack Washer with oscillating high-pressure sprayers.

weekly sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid , polyalkoxylate, Autoclaved up to 4 times monthly

Sprayed with 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide when handling cage

Cage lids Rack Washer with oscillating high-pressure sprayers.

weekly sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, polyalkoxylate

Autoclaved up to 4 times monthly

Sprayed with 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide when handling cage

Filter tops Rack Washer with oscillating high-pressure sprayers.

weekly sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, polyalkoxylate

Autoclaved up to 4 times monthly

Cage racks and shelves

Weekly - hand washed.

Annually - Rack Washer with oscillating high-pressure sprayers.

Weekly / annually

0.5% Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, polyalkoxylate

N/A

Feeders Rack Washer with oscillating high-pressure sprayers.

weekly sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, polyalkoxylate

Autoclaved up to 4 times monthly

Watering devices

Rack Washer with oscillating high-pressure sprayers.

weekly sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, polyalkoxylate

Autoclaved up to 4 times monthly

Attachment 4: Existing Equipment