THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY.
This is not a solicitation for bids, proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. The responses received from interested contractors will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method.
The intended contract is a firm-fixed price.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 20, is conducting market research to identify potential sources which can provide a Brand Name or Equal LYNX Cage & Rack Washer Equipment as outlined below in support of the Veterans Health Administration, VA Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239-2964.
Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide for this requirement at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via e-mail to Nazanin Kreiner at Nazanin.kreiner@va.gov no later than February 30, 2026, 1PM, Mountain Time. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.
RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Company name, address, SAM UEI, and business size; point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail address; whether services/products are presently offered on a current GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, NASA SEWP, or any other Federal contract. NAICS Code 333998 with size standard of 700 employees, is applicable to determine business size standard. Please indicate whether proposed system is manufactured in the United States. Any questions or concerns may also be directed via email to Nazanin Kreiner at Nazanin.kreiner@va.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.
STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)
1. Contract Title. VMU Cage & Rack Washer Equipment
2. Background.
The purpose of this project is to provide a high-capacity, automated washing and decontamination solution for animal cages, racks, bottles, pans, and associated vivarium equipment in support of research operations and regulatory compliance.
3. Scope.
This work covers the purchase, shipment, installation, and confirmation of operation of a new Lynx Model 410LX Cage and Rack Washer into room 615 in building 101, along with the removal and decommissioning of the existing washer. Work will be performed in coordination with VA FMS and VMU personnel, in particular those staff responsible for the maintenance and usage of the machine. Work will not be considered complete until it has been determined by VA staff that the machine is operating as intended and without fault.
It must include the following characteristics:
Made in USA
Stainless steel insulated construction
Stainless steel recirculating components & pricing
Stainless steel treatment pump
Illuminated wash compartment
Color Graphic Touch Screen Micro-Computer Control System
12-Programmable Automatic Multi-Phase Treatment Cycles
UL Inspected Control System
Oscillating Jet System
Automatic Self Cleaning Screen
Temperature Guarantees
Automatic Self Cleaning Screen
Incoming Utility Gauges
Personnel Safety Features
Non-proprietary parts
Additional Standard Features must include:
Interior Compartment: 40" wide x 85" high x 85" long
Overall Unit: 80" wide x 104" high x 93" long
(Unit will fit in existing pit 94" long x 85" wide)
Stainless Steel Treatment Pump, 10.0 hp
Double Door (Pass-Thru) Unit Configuration
Pit Mounted
Seismic Tie Downs
Barrier Wall Trim Flange - One (1) Wall
Includes a 2" perimeter frame. Labor and materials to fill additional gap between washer and wall to be provided by others.
Control On/Off switch
3 Phase On/Off switch
Emergency Stop Push Button
Allen Bradley (or equal to ) Microprocessor
Color Touch Screen Operator Interface
Twelve Pre-programmed Wash Cycles
Process Temperature indication: Set point and Actual Reading
Process Time Indication: Remaining
All Cycle Time and Temperature Set Points Adjustable
Cycle Names User Adjustable
Cycle Lock-out capability
Monitoring Alarm Condition
Time/Date Display
Ethernet connection for Factory Access and Troubleshooting
Flush Mounted Control Box
Strip Chart Printer or USB Thumb Drive Recording System
Stainless Steel Steam Coil Sump Heating
DDCD System - Injected
Feeder Bottle Wash System
1/3 View Door
Automatic Damper
Cage Wash Rack - 4 pair shelves - CR-69
480VAC, 3-Phase, 60 Hz
Self Cleaning
4. Specific Tasks.
The contractor/vendor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, startup services, documentation, and training necessary to furnish and install a fully operational cage and rack washer system.
The objectives include:
Improve sanitation and throughput efficiency within the animal care program.
Ensure compliance with institutional biosafety and animal welfare standards.
Support AAALAC, USDA, NIH, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Reduce manual handling and ergonomic risks to personnel.
Integrate washer operations with existing facility utilities and workflow.
5. Performance Monitoring (if applicable).
The contractor will demonstrate full functionality following installation, to include running as many cycles as needed to ensure the equipment meets expectations. VMU staff will operate the equipment multiple times a day and perform routine minor maintenance, and FMS staff will perform monthly assessments of functionality, including contacting the vendor if problems arise.
6. Security Requirements.
The contractor employees shall not have access to VA sensitive or computer information and will not require routine access to VA Facilities. The contractor employees shall require intermittent access only and will be escorted by VA employees while at VA Facilities. No background investigation is required
7. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI).
N/A
8. Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations.
N/A
a. Identification of Possible Follow-on Work.
N/A
b. Identification of Potential Conflicts of Interest (COI).
N/A
e. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria.
Following installation, functionality will be demonstrated by the contractor to VMU and FMS staff. Once all required functions are determined to be working as intended, the old machine has been fully removed and the install site is sealed and fully compliant, the equipment will be accepted.
9. Risk Control
This work will take place within the research vivarium, but contractors will not enter animal areas and will be escorted by VA personnel at all times.
10. Place of Performance.
All work will take place at VHAPOR, in Building 103, room E115.
11. Period of Performance.
This washer is expected to be installed during FY 27, and to be functional prior to June 2027. It is expected to last no less than 15 years following installation There is a one year warranty following the date of installation.
15. WARRANTY: The Company warrants to Buyer that all items on the reverse side hereof manufactured by the Company shall be free of defective material or faulty workmanship for a period of one year from dates of shipment of said items by the Company. The Company does not warrant equipment which has been damaged due to accident, misuse, abuse, fire, flood, "Acts of God," or other contingencies beyond the control of the Company; use of utilities other than recommended by the Company; failure to follow the Company s operating instructions; or improper or unauthorized repair. The liability of the Company for any breach of the foregoing warranty of the Company shall not extend to dismantling, installing or reinstalling, but shall be limited to repairing or replacing said items at the Company s option within a reasonable time after receipt of written notice from Buyer of said items that prove to be defective within the period stipulated herein, provided such notice is given by Buyer to the Company immediately upon the detection of any defects and if the notice is served by Buyer within such period. The Company makes no warranty with respect to items on the reverse side hereof supplied to Buyer by the Company, but manufactured by others, except to the extent of any warranty given to the Company by such others. Buyer further agrees that the Company is not responsible for any other conditions over which the Company has no control. In no case shall the Company be liable for consequential damages arising from breach of any of the foregoing warranties. THE COMPANY MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR MERCHANTABILITY, BEYOND WHAT IS CONTAINED HEREIN..
12. Delivery Schedule.
N/A
Disclaimer and Important Notes: This Sources Sought Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. The Government will treat any information received as proprietary and will not share such information with other companies. Any organization responding to this Sources Sought Notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. The Government may or may not issue a solicitation as a result of this announcement. There is no solicitation available at this time.
