6640--Rodent Caging System

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 is soliciting quotations for a rodent caging system (RFQ 36C26026Q0376) to support the VA Portland Health Care System's Veterinary Medical Unit. The procurement calls for one Thoren Maxi-Miser Caging System or equivalent that can house 80 rat cages measuring 12.125" x 12.125" x 7.37", featuring stainless steel construction with dimensions of 29" width x 72" length x 89" height, an integrated Avidity Science automatic watering system with bedding-resistant valves, and HEPA filtration for both supply and exhaust air with adjustable CFM from 30-100 air changes per hour. The equipment must be new (not remanufactured), supplied by an Original Equipment Manufacturer or authorized distributor with verification, and covered by a one-year manufacturer warranty. Evaluation will be based on lowest price with acceptable past performance, and offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with current UEI and tax identification numbers. Critical deadlines include March 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM Mountain Time for submission of questions and March 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM Mountain Time for proposal submission, with an anticipated award date of April 1, 2026 and delivery expected by March 31, 2027.

This is a 100 percent small business set-aside with a NAICS code of 332618 (Other Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing) and a size standard of 500 employees. The solicitation is distinct from a previous caging acquisition (award number 36C26019P0760), with the primary distinction being the addition of required HEPA in/HEPA out rack components. The new system must be fully compatible and interchangeable with the VA's existing Thoren caging infrastructure, including caging units, wire tops, and filter tops. Performance of the contract will occur at the VA Portland Health Care System, Building 101/6th Floor, Veterinary Medicine, located at 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97207, though a loading dock will be available for delivery at the primary contracting office in Vancouver, Washington. Installation and start-up will be completed by VA personnel, with the contractor responsible only for delivery of the system itself. The contracting officer is Nazanin Kreiner, reachable at nazanin.kreiner@va.gov, and responses will be archived 30 days after the response date.