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This is not a solicitation but rather a Request for Information (RFI/Sources Sought) for market research purposes only. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Network Contracting Office 5, is issuing this Sources Sought in order to identify capable firms and obtain information for planning purposes only.
Responses must be submitted by 12:00 PM EST, July 23rd, 2026. Submit responses to this Sources Sought via email to james.ferro@va.gov All SDVOSB and VOSB firms that respond shall include proof of SBA certification via https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/All small business firms that respond shall include proof of small business status via their Representations and Certifications in accordance with (FAR 4.1102 Policy). While SDVOSB/VOSB firms are preferred, all capable firms are welcome to respond to this Sources Sought. All respondents to this Sources Sought shall include as part of their response answers to the below questions and provide any additional pertinent information that supports the answers. If there are any ambiguities in this Sources Sought, please identify them in your response.
The results of this market research will assist in the development of (1) the requirement, and (2) the acquisition strategy (e.g., socioeconomic set-aside, full and open competition, etc.). VA assumes no responsibility for any costs incurred associated with the preparation of responses.
Suggested NAICS: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Suggested PSC: 6640 Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Open to suggestions from the market as to a more proper NAICS and/or PSC, as well as any potential GSA/FSS Schedule SIN categories.
Product ID#
Product Description
Quantity
58000-4
Ugo BasilePPI/Startle3.0, 4 Cages
1
58000M
Ugo BasileStartlePPI Mouseplatform
w/twoMouse restrainers
4
50012-UB
UB Care12 Month Extended Hardware
Warranty for StartlePPI
1
NS1-NEURO
Ugo BasileAir-PuffKit, for Startle/PPI 3.0
Unit
4
NS2-NEURO
4-ChannelUgo BasileAir-PuffDispenser,
for Startle/PPI System
1
NS3-NEURO
Ugo BasileB/W USBCamera for 58000
4
NS4-NEURO
Ugo BasileI/Obox for TTL signalfor Startle
PPI 3.0 for 58000
1
STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)
1. Contract Title. Rodent Behavior System for the Research & Development Service Waddell Laboratory
2. Background. Jaylyn Waddell, PhD, has received a VA Merit research award titled Facilitating inhibition of fear with psilocybin: Mitochondria Dynamics and Mechanisms of Enhanced Plasticity to investigate the effects of psychoactive substances on fear in rodents to better understand psychedelics and basic brain biology and apply those findings to improved functional outcomes for Veterans. To perform the experiments, Dr. Waddell requires a behavioral system which tests and measures startle reflex and fear conditioning in mice and rats. The system will include: 4 steel floor sound attuning chambers; rodent tubes with harnesses; an acoustic startle reflex component that delivers noise bursts to capture and measure the startle/movement data with a load cell; and a fear potential startle accessory to deliver pure tone acoustics, noise bursts, and a generator for foot shocks. There are commercially available systems that also use puffs of air to induce startle/fear reflexes however Dr. Waddell does not find the data collected by these systems to be as reliable.
3. Scope. Minimum specifications that were identified:
Sound Attenuating Chamber size: 22 in W x 27.5 in H x 14 in D
Db range for noise bursts: 70-120
Hertz range for pure tone: 100 Hz-70 kHz
Watts for electrical stimulation: 0.1 mA-1 mA
High Sensitivity Load Cell: 0-4096 Units, digitized scale
Small, medium and large (mouse to adult rat) capability
4. Specific Tasks. The vendor will provide delivery of the behavioral system, installation and training within 60 days of contract award. The place of performance is:
VA Maryland Health Care System
Research and Development Service Wadell Laboratory
10 N. Green Street 3C-134
Baltimore, MD 21201
4.1 Task 1 - Enterprise Management Controls.
4.1.1 Subtask 1 - Integration Management Control Planning. Provide the technical and functional activities at the required level for integration of all tasks specified within this SOW. Include productivity and management methods such as quality assurance, progress/status reporting and program reviews. Provide the centralized administrative, clerical, documentation and related functions.
The contractor will provide the complete mouse behavior system with:
Acoustic startle reflex package including data acquisition software
Sound Attenuating Chamber with steel floors
Accessory package to deliver pure tone acoustics, noise bursts and a generator for foot shock
High Sensitivity Load Cell to measure movement
12 month warranty
The COR should inspect and discuss with vendor to confirm that contracting tasks have been progressed and performed in accordance with SOW and in timely manner. He/She should report to evaluate the work in relation to contractual requirements.
Deliverables: The delivery of a Rodent Behavior System
4.1.2 Subtask 2 - Contract Management. Prepare a Contract Management Plan describing the technical approach, organizational resources and management controls to be employed to meet the cost, performance and schedule requirements throughout Contract execution. Provide a monthly status report monitoring the quality assurance, progress/status reporting and program reviews applied to this contract.
The contractor will include delivery, equipment installation and training, and a one-year warranty in the purchase price.
Deliverables:
The equipment installation and training status report generated by the installation technician upon completion of installation and training.
5. Performance Monitoring
Principle Investigator will ensure validity of work in cooperation with sales engineer if the need arises. Technical support is available for the equipment by phone and email for the project. On-site consulting M-F 7:30 AM-5 PM EST with advanced notice is also available at extra charge.
6. Place of Performance.
VA Maryland Health Care System
Research and Development Service Core Laboratory
10 N. Green Street 3C-134
Baltimore, MD 21201
If you are interested, please e-mail the following information:
Company Name:
UEI Number:
Cage Code:
Dun & Bradstreet Number:
Person of Contact (including telephone number and email address).
Socio-economic status (SDVOSB, VOSB, Woman-Owned, Other etc.).
Are you a distributor or a manufacturer?
If you are an authorized distributor, please provide confirmation on Company Letter Head.
If you are a distributor, who is the manufacturer?
Where is the manufacturer located in the world?
Do you currently hold a government contract?
Contract Number?
Type of contract?
Are these particular quoted items under contract?
With whom (GSA, SEWP, etc )?
If GSA what Schedule and SIN?
Can your company provide the service for the listed Department of Veterans Affairs locations?
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Does your firm utilize the suggested NAICS and PSC per this Sources Sought Notice? If not, please suggest a more appropriate NAICS and/or PSC and explain why it s more appropriate?
How do you invoice for this service, including rates?
What Certifications, State and/or Federal, if any must you have to perform this service?
Please list all of your concerns, questions and ambiguities below. Questions will not be addressed directly but will be used by the Government in the event that this Sources Sought would move forward to solicitation.
Please provide estimated rates if possible.
