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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 20, is conducting market research to identify potential sources which can provide the following in support of the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPHCS): VAPHCS has a need for additional rodent caging system with automated Avidity watering system and air with HEPA intake and exhaust filtration that will allow lab to continue using cages and supplies already on hand. STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) 1. Contract Title. Caging System 2. Background. Rodents in the VA are primarily housed on ventilated racks which provide automatic water and air filtration in and out to protect animal and human health. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and OSHA note that rat allergens can pose a significant human health hazard. Current industry standard recommendations are for all rodents, but particularly rats which are known to be highly allergenic to some individuals to be housed on ventilated racks with HEPA filtration for the exhaust air, which significantly decreases the human health risks. Our current rack is a very old model which does not have the capacity to HEPA filter the exhaust air. Our vivarium houses rats to support VA funded research that supports veterans and the American public s health. 3. Scope. The Veterinary Medical Unit currently uses Thoren cages, racks, water bottles and filter tops. The need is for an additional rodent caging system with automated Avidity watering system and air with HEPA intake and exhaust filtration that will allow lab to continue using cages and supplies already on hand. 4. Specific Tasks. This contract requirement is for the procurement and installation of one rat rack with at least 80 cage spaces for cages measuring exactly 12.125 x12.125 x7.37 . The rack must not measure more than 80 high, 72 wide, and 30 deep to fit through the door and fit the available space. The system must include a caging system which accommodates an Avidity automated watering system using current model lixits (automated watering valves) which resists bedding from entering the valve, and air with HEPA filters for both intake and exhaust, in order to protect both the animals and the staff. The system needs to house 75-100 animals within the available space (dimensions needed are below). The Rack system must be mobile to allow for cleaning and efficiently utilizing the space. All systems must meet regulatory and guidance requirements laid out within the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. HEPA filtered air must be supplied directly into each cage and the system must exhaust spent air, animal odors, dander and feed dust from each cage through a HEPA filter. The cage system must be able to be easily broken down for cleaning. The CFM of each cage must be adjusted very easily and must range from 30 to 100 air changes per hour. HEPA filtration must be for both supplying air and exhausting the air and able to operate under positive or negative pressure relative to the room. Rack Dimension: 29" w x 72" L x 89" h constructed from stainless steel to house 80 Thoren, Rat Cages measuring cages measuring exactly 12.125 x12.125 x7.37 . Clear/light amber polysulfide cages are required to allow the contents of the cage to be readily visible, and the cages must not cloud or crack with repeated scraping, washing at 180 F and autoclaving at up to 270 F. The rack must allow for double side cage housing, 8 shelves high and 5 cages per side per shelf. Cages must be top mounted to ensure appropriate air flow and must accommodate water bottles without disrupting mounting when needed. Cage wire lid must be stainless steel and hold a 16 oz. bottle and a feed hopper that accommodates one week s worth of rodent chow. The lids must allow sufficient space underneath to not restrict animal movement and placement of enrichment within the cage. Filter cover cages that are suitable for approximately 200 autoclave cycles, at temperatures up to (270oF). stainless steel vertical cardholders, Bottle, Milk. 16oz. Stopper energy efficient green HEPA Filter/ Blower Module to provide HEPA filtered air for both the supply and exhaust air with variable speed control fans Remote Adjustment Box Bracket. 1 Year warranty 5. Performance Monitoring (if applicable). Upon arrival, this caging system will be inspected by VA VMU staff upon arrival for proper functioning and will be returned if it does not meet specifications. 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 only require intermittent access 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). NA 8. Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations. a. Identification of Possible Follow-on Work. N/A b. Identification of Potential Conflicts of Interest (COI). N/A e. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria. This rack will be inspected by VA VMU staff upon arrival for proper functioning 9. Risk Control 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 only require intermittent access and will be escorted by VA employees while at VA Facilities. No background investigation is required 10. Place of Performance. VA Portland Heather Care System Attn: Heather Sidener 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road Building 101/6th Floor Veterinary Medical Unit Portland, OR 97239 11. Period of Performance. Estimated award 4/1/2026. Shipping: 210 -300 Days after receipt of order per vendor. 12. Delivery Schedule. Anticipated award 4/1/26, POP would be 12 calendar months for fulfillment. Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide the above stated supplies at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via e-mail to Nazanin Kreiner at
[email protected] no later than February 13, 2026, 1:00PM Mountain Time. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Company name, address, SAM UEI, country where product is manufactured, and business size; point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail address; whether services are presently offered on a current GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract. NAICS Code 332618 Size Standard: 500 employees is applicable to determine business size standard. Any questions or concerns may also be directed via email to Nazanin Kreiner at
[email protected]. 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.