Rat Housing Infrastructure Modernization – Individually Ventilated Caging (IVC) Rack System Replacement

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This acquisition will be made in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,” as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (a written solicitation will not be issued) and quotes are being requested.  The Solicitation number is RFQ-PCA-ORS-09463 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ).

This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-05 May 22, 2024.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is NAICS Code: 339112 – Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing, with a size standard of 1000 employees. The requirement is being competed with a brand name restriction, and with a total small business set-aside.

The government intends to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order to the offeror responsible as a result of this RFQ that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein.  By submitting a quote, the offeror is accepting that all government terms and conditions shall prevail over the award.  

By submission of a quote, the Offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered and viewable in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov). 

STATEMENT OF NEED The Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR), within the Office of Research Services (ORS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), requires the procurement, delivery, installation, commissioning, and training associated with an expansion of its existing Tecniplast individually ventilated caging (IVC) rack system for rats at NIH facilities located in Bethesda, Maryland. DVR currently operates a Tecniplast demonstration/pilot rack system for rat housing, and this acquisition will procure additional Tecniplast-compatible ER1050 racks, cages, Zephyr Touch air handling units, and related components necessary to expand rat housing capacity while maintaining full technical and operational compatibility with the existing installed system. Continuous access to a single, compatible ventilated caging platform is critical to maintaining animal welfare, biocontainment integrity, and compliance with federal regulations governing laboratory animal care.

Place of Performance: NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892 United States.   FOB: Destination

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Delivery is requested as soon as possible.  Estimated lead time for delivery is 12-14 weeks from date of award, if not sooner.

EVALUATION

NIH will evaluate quotes to determine the best value to the government.  NIH will make that determination based on technical acceptability, price, and past performance.  NIH will evaluate price only for those quotes which are rated as technically acceptable.  In the event quotes are evaluated as technically equal, price will become a major consideration in selecting the successful Offeror.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO OFFERORS

Offerors are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of quotes. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting your quote, you will be consenting to disclosure of your quote to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.

PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES

By submitting a quote in response to this solicitation, vendor accepts the following terms and conditions:

The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (SEP 2023)

FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (FEB 2024)

FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

(Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://www.sam.gov/ in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items (Please ensure FAR 52.209-2 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation. (Nov 2015) is updated in your SAM record)

FAR 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements – Representation (JAN 2017)

52.204–26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation

(OCT 2020) *** Must complete representation if attached to this solicitation- see attachment 52.204-26

By submitting a quote in response to this solicitation, vendor accepts the following terms and conditions:

The following FAR contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (NOV 2022)

FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023)

FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018)

FAR 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021)

HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 2015)

FAR 52.252-2 -- Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (Feb 1998)

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 – Bill of Materials (BOM)

Attachment 2 – Justification & Approval (J&A)

Attachment 3 - SOW

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm
By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov).
Copies of the above-referenced provisions and clauses are available from http://www.acquisition.gov/far/loadmainre.html & http: //www.hhs.gov/regulation/index.html or, upon request, either by telephone or fax.
Submission shall be received not later than August 30, 2026 @ 06:00 AM EST
Offers may be e-mailed to Jessica Emerson (E-Mail/ jessica.emerson@nih.gov). Offers shall include RFQ number in the subject line (RFQ-PCA-ORS-09463). Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f).
All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency.
Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to Jessica Emerson @ jessica.emerson@nih.gov.