Replacement of Hanging Cage Systems with Freestanding Animal Housing Racks

RFQ PCA-ORS-09460 — Replacement of Hanging Cage Systems with Freestanding Animal Housing Racks

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

(i) Description. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented by the information contained in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) Solicitation Number. PCA-ORS-09460. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

(iii) Provisions and Clauses. The solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through the current Federal Acquisition Circular.

(iv) NAICS / PSC / Set-Aside. This acquisition is full and open. The applicable NAICS code is 332999, All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing. The Product Service Code is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.

(v) Description of Requirement. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Research Services, Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR), requires the custom fabrication, delivery, and installation of freestanding animal housing rack systems to replace existing hanging cage infrastructure in Building 103 at the DVR facility in Poolesville, Maryland.

The equipment must be custom fabricated for compatibility with DVR's existing cage inventory, facility dimensions, animal care operations, sanitation processes, and drinking-water system. The Government intends to award a single firm-fixed-price contract.

(vi) Statement of Work.

Objective. The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, supervision, and technical expertise necessary to design, fabricate, deliver, install, test, and commission freestanding animal housing rack systems replacing existing hanging cage infrastructure while maintaining animal housing capacity of at least 32 primates under 10 kg per animal per holding room.

Cage and Facility Compatibility

The rack systems shall:

• Be compatible with DVR's existing Lab Products/Harford primate hanging cages.

• Be freestanding and capable of movement through existing animal room, corridor, and cage-wash doors.

• Accommodate the following approximate cage dimensions and mounting configurations:

Single Hanging Cage

• 28.25 in. D × 35.25 in. H × 24.25 in. W.

• Two top-rear keyhole cutouts approximately 21 in. apart, center-to-center.

• One bottom-rear keyhole cutout approximately 12 in. from the side to cutout center.

Double Hanging Cage — Model 1

• 28.25 in. D × 35.25 in. H × 49.25 in. W.

• Four top-rear keyhole cutouts arranged in two sets approximately 21 in. apart.

• Two bottom-rear keyhole cutouts approximately 12 in. from each side to cutout center.

Double Hanging Cage — Model 2

• 28.25 in. D × 36.75 in. H × 49.25 in. W.

• Keyhole configuration consistent with Double Hanging Cage Model 1.

Existing Building 103 animal room doors are approximately 81.5–82 in. high × 39.25–39.5 in. wide. The contractor shall verify all applicable doorway, corridor, and cage-wash clearances before final fabrication.

Minimum Performance Requirements

The rack systems shall:

• Be constructed of rust- and corrosion-resistant materials suitable for laboratory animal environments.

• Include an animal drinking-water delivery system with lixits, drain capability, and connections compatible with the existing facility drinking-water system.

• Include securely supported animal waste collection pans beneath each cage that can be readily removed and handled by DVR staff.

• Include casters with wheels rated for temperatures of at least 180°F.

• Withstand routine cage-wash, cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation chemical exposure.

• Support safe and ergonomic cage handling and reduce the need for elevated or lift-assisted cage transfer.

• Minimize manual handling during sanitation activities.

• Minimize pest harborage opportunities.

• Remain compatible with existing animal husbandry, sanitation, cage-wash, and facility workflows.

• Include all hardware, fittings, connectors, accessories, and components required for complete installation and operation.

Prototype and Testing

Before full production, the contractor shall fabricate and install one prototype rack system for DVR inspection, operational testing, and approval.

Full production shall not proceed until the prototype is accepted by the Government.

Following installation of the production rack systems, the contractor shall perform final operational testing and inspection to demonstrate compliance with the approved design and performance requirements.

Project Coordination and Installation

The contractor shall:

• Coordinate all activities with the COR and DVR personnel.

• Conduct field verification of cage dimensions, utility connections, doorway clearances, and installation conditions before final fabrication.

• Submit proposed equipment drawings, specifications, and installation details for Government review.

• Coordinate delivery and installation to minimize disruption to animal care operations.

• Protect NIH property and maintain a safe work environment during installation.

• Remove installation debris and leave work areas clean upon completion.

Applicable Requirements

The rack systems and installation shall comply with applicable NIH and DVR requirements and with applicable standards governing laboratory animal care and housing, including the Animal Welfare Act, AAALAC-related requirements, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Training and Documentation

The contractor shall provide on-site user training for DVR personnel covering rack operation, cage loading and removal, water-system use, cleaning, routine inspection, and maintenance.

Deliverables

The contractor shall provide:

• Project schedule;

• Equipment drawings, specifications, and submittals;

• Prototype rack system;

• Prototype test/acceptance documentation;

• Installation plan;

• Completed production installation;

• Final operational testing report;

• User training documentation;

• Warranty information; and

• Operations and maintenance manuals.

(vii) Place of Performance. NIH Division of Veterinary Resources, Building 103, Poolesville, Maryland.

(viii) Period of Performance. Delivery, installation, testing, and training shall be completed within the period specified in the resulting award. The proposed project schedule shall identify design, prototype fabrication, prototype acceptance, production fabrication, installation, testing, and training milestones.

(ix) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies. Quotations shall include:

1. Firm-fixed pricing for design, fabrication, delivery, installation, testing, and training;

2. A technical description and proposed design demonstrating compliance with the requirements, including cage compatibility, facility clearances, drinking-water system, waste pans, casters, and materials;

3. Relevant experience and past performance involving fabrication and installation of laboratory animal housing or comparable custom equipment; and

4. A proposed project schedule identifying the prototype and production milestones.

Quotations are due no later than September 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, by email to Travis Brown at travis.brown@nih.gov.

(x) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Award will be made to the offeror whose quotation represents the best value to the Government based on:

1. Technical Approach — the extent to which the proposed design demonstrates compliance with the cage compatibility, facility fit, operational, sanitation, water-system, and other performance requirements;

2. Relevant Experience/Past Performance — relevance and quality of prior fabrication and installation of laboratory animal housing systems or comparable custom equipment; and

3. Price — evaluated based on the total proposed firm-fixed price.

The combined non-price factors are approximately equal in importance to price. The Government may make award without discussions.

(xi) Offerors shall include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, unless current representations and certifications are maintained in SAM.

(xii) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies.

(xiii) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies. Applicable clauses will be identified by the Contracting Officer.

(xiv) Questions. Questions shall be submitted in writing to the point of contact below no later than September 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. Government responses will be posted by amendment on SAM.gov.

(xv) Quotation Due Date/Time. September 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.

(xvi) Point of Contact.
Travis Brown, Contract Specialist
National Institutes of Health
travis.brown@nih.gov