6640--ShEEP animal chamber

Page 1 of 2

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS

GREAT LAKES ACQUISITION CENTER

NETWORK CONTRACTING OFFICE 12

Date: December 7, 2020

From: Farrukh Daniel, Contracting Officer, Great Lakes Acquisition Center (69D/GLAC)

Subj.: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Department of Veteran Affairs is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on https://beta.sam.gov/

It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

The Government is seeking Veteran Owned Small Businesses ONLY who can provide the following equipment OR EQUIVALENT for the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison WI:

STATEMENT OF WORK

The government requires the following BRAND NAME OR EQUAL products:

Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System for Home Cages (CLAMS-HC) system from Columbus Instruments. The CLAMS-HC is an integrated system for the comprehensive analysis of energy balance in up to 16 animals at one time. This system collects real-time data recordings of food intake, spontaneous activity, voluntary exercise, and allows energy expenditure to be determined via indirect calorimetry from awake or sleeping, unrestrained animals to provide a complete energy balance profile while studying the effects of dietary and pharmacological treatments in mouse model of diseases that are highly prevalent in Veterans, including obesity, diabetes, sarcopenia, and Alzheimer s disease. This is for the ShEEP (Shared Equipment Evaluation Program).

Scope

The scale of work covers a single integrated system comprised of a temperature-controlled cabinet that houses 16 animals in individual and sealed cages. Importantly, the CLAMS-HC system uses standard animal housing cages and allows precise control of the fresh air flow going into the cages combined with the multiplexed detection of small differentials of oxygen and carbon dioxide coming from the interior of each cage allows for the assessment of energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry (oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory exchange ratio). A new generation high speed Zirconium Dioxide differential oxygen sensor combined with a nondispersive infrared sensor for carbon dioxide and a high air flow rate permit high-speed, accurate gas measurements for indirect calorimetry data with high temporal resolution and sensitivity. Animal activity is recorded with an array of infrared photo beams that surround each individual cage and detect spontaneous movements as separate beam breaks in each of the X, Y and Z axes. Optional running wheels permit the assessment of voluntary exercise. Finally, the system measures food intake by automatically calculating changes in the food weight contents of the overhead feeder. Oxymax software installed on an included PC will collect all the data generated by the system, and allow for the control of cabinet functions including lighting and temperature, which may be set to maintain a temperature between 5°C and 32°C. The system will be delivered and assembled by Columbus Instruments, and an initial training system for the system will be conducted onsite. The system will be warranted for two years.

Specific Tasks

Task one is the delivery of a full-functioning (some assembly required) CLAMS-HC System enabling computerized collection of metabolic data, with all necessary parts, hardware, and software necessary to use effectively as specified in the quote.

Task two is the assembly and installation of the CLAMS-HC system on-site at the WSM VA Hospital Animal Facility and conducting initial onsite training of users.

Task three is the provision of remote technical support as needed to advise on system setup and maintenance.

Responses

Interested parties are requested to fill out the information below: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

(Contractor s Name) ______________________________________

(Address) ______________________________________Â Â

(City-State-Zip) ______________________________________Â

(Point of Contact/Title) ______________________________________Â Â

PHONE NUMBER ______________________________________

      FAX NUMBER               ______________________________________

      E-MAIL ADDRESS        ______________________________________

      DUNS NUMBER NO.    ______________________________________

      FSS/GSA/CONTRACT NO. (If applicable) ______________________________

Expiration Date of Contract:Â ______________________________________

Other Requested Information:

Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512, Computer Systems Design Services. Small business concern means a concern, including its affiliates that are independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121.

Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify Veteran Owned Small Businesses ONLY that can provide these items for the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison WI.