Bottle Filling Station with Acidifier

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Defense, seeks an automated bottle filling station with acidifier for vivarium and laboratory animal research facilities, with quotation responses due August 27, 2026, and questions due August 24. The procurement is set aside exclusively for small businesses under Total Small Business.

Place of performance is Bethesda, Maryland. The system must be a self-contained unit with 24-bottle filler capacity, capable of filling 300-milliliter rat bottles and 250-milliliter mouse bottles at a rate of 24 bottles per minute. The system must maintain a pH range from 2.5 to 3.5, handle Hydrochloric acid 2n, and include a front-mounted digital controller with fill, purge, stand-by, and diagnostic operating modes. The frame must be constructed of heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Technical specifications include a cone-bottom reservoir tank, dedicated pump, level sensors, proportioning equipment with injection/metering pump, pH probe installation, adjustable timer controls, and safety and diagnostic alarms. Delivery is to the Logistics Division at 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4712.

The NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a size standard of 1,000 employees. PSC is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies. The procurement uses Simplified Acquisition procedures. Amendment 0001, effective August 24, removed optional installation services from scope; vendors are now required to deliver equipment only, not provide plumbing, electrical work, setup, or training. All vendors must be registered in SAM.

Award will be made on a best-value basis using trade-off analysis, evaluating technical factors (specifications, performance, function, size optimization, delivery schedule), past performance history (assessed via vendor submissions and government databases including Supplier Performance Risk System and Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System), and price reasonableness. Quote prices must be valid for a minimum of 60 days and submitted via email. The Government may award to a vendor other than the lowest-priced offeror if perceived benefits merit the additional cost.