6640--PTSD Subject Study

This is not a solicitation. The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to negotiate a requirement with Stoelting Company 620 Wheat Lane, Wood dale IL 60191. The applicable NAICS code is 334516 and PSC is 6640. The authority for this action is FAR 13.106-1(b)(2): Only one Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Interested persons may contact the Contracting Specialist via email at ophelia.wilson@va.gov regarding this procurement. The determination to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

STATEMENT OF WORK

Item description: Stoelting: Expansion of existing capital equipment in subject behavioral core

This contract is to expand our subject behavioral testing capability that is currently on site and in use at the White River Junction VA Healthcare System (Vendor: Stoelting). The majority of the testing equipment in our subject behavioral core was previously purchased from the current vendor via contract #405-D10100 and is located on EIL 384.

Laboratories within our Research Service are currently evaluating neuropsychiatric deficits in subject models of neurotrauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Purchasing the latest equipment and increasing testing capacity will fully utilize existing scientific equipment to conduct these VA-ORD funded studies. Maintaining a highly functional testing core will save time, improve productivity, and reduce unnecessary government spending. Utilizing the animal facility at its full capacity will also ensure and support reproducible research and appropriate translation of research findings. Adhering to these guidelines is recommended and often mandated by federal funding agencies. The current contract will provide the following products:

Ugo BasileFearConditioning System, 1Mouse,without software

Ugo BasileFearConditioning System, 2Mice, FearCond.Software

USB3.0 Hub, 4-port w/power adapter

Ugo BasileForcedSwim Testwith WaterWheel, FST Software

Stoelting Elevated Plus Maze, Rat

Stoelting Elevated Plus Maze, Mouse

Stoelting Open FieldActivity, 100cm,Opaque

Stoelting Open Field, 40cm,Gray

Porsolt(ForcedSwim)Test, Mouse/Rat

ANY-mazeUSB3.0 CameraBundle

Camera Tripod Monopod with CenterColumn

BallHead Shoe Mount CameraBall MountClamp

Installation will be performed by VA scientists at the White River Junction VA and does not require additional servicing or parts or labor costs.

Records Management

1. Citations to pertinent laws, codes and regulations such as 44 U.S.C chapters 21, 29, 31 and 33; Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a); 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228.

2. Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S. Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

3. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records.

4. Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

5. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

6. The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract.

7. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor must deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data.

8. Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.].

9. No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules.

10. Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information.