Six-Chamber Operant Conditioning System for Rodents(UW-MAD)[20-0094]

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Purchasing Services Department is seeking bids for a Six-Chamber Operant Conditioning System for Rodents through a Request for Bid (RFB) issued on May 28, 2020. The procurement is specific to the School of Pharmacy and requires a sophisticated research system capable of controlling at least six operant chambers (four rat, two mouse) with comprehensive functionality. The system must include two programmable levers, a light cue, a controllable sound cue, pellet reinforcement delivery, a programmable infusion pump with adjustable volume and flow rate, and a shock system with controllable intensity and duration. Vendors must provide central software to manage the chambers and commit to delivering a minimum of two hours of on-site training. Key procurement dates include June 4, 2020, for written questions and June 11, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. CDT for bid submissions, with a desired delivery date of August 31, 2020. Award will be based on the lowest extended net total that best serves the University's interests, and the University reserves the right to request oral presentations, product demonstrations, or vendor site visits before making a final selection.

Bidders must be original manufacturers, authorized distributors, or dealer representatives with a minimum three-year history of providing operant conditioning systems for rodents and demonstrated service and repair capabilities. The University encourages participation from Wisconsin-certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Woman-Owned Businesses (WBEs), and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (DVBs), with specific goals of awarding at least five percent of the contract price to certified MBEs and one percent to certified DVBs. Upon award, vendors must provide a Certificate of Insurance demonstrating a minimum of one million dollars in commercial and automobile liability coverage. The procurement allows for governmental and educational discounts, which must be reflected in unit pricing. Bid prices must be submitted as firm, fixed net unit prices in US dollars, with all costs included (F.O.B. Destination Installed), excluding import/export expenses. Payment terms are set at Net 30 days following acceptance of goods and verification of specification compliance. While no specific contract value or budget range is identified in the documentation, the procurement is structured to secure a comprehensive research instrument for the university's scientific needs.