THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIEES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This Request for Information (RFI) is issued to obtain price, delivery, market information and capabilities for planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation. All information received marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), response to RFI are not proposals and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are responsible for all expenses associated with RFI notice. SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a source sought. The purpose of this source sought is to gain knowledge of potential vendors and their size classification relative to NAICS 332618 (500 Size Standards in number of employees). Vendor response to source sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. A solicitation announcement may be published in the FedBizOpps or GSA eBuy websites. Response to source sought are not considered adequate for a solicitation announcement. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office 22, is seeking vendor that can provide twenty (20) primate caging to house Rhesus monkeys for VA San Diego Healthcare System. Below salient characteristics must be met with brand name or equal purchase description. Vertical separation to allow for single squeeze back restraint. Cage dimensions: approx. 45wide x 53deep x 82high. 20% larger than a standard European primate cage. Size to allow adequate space for subjects. Standard characteristics of European primate caging such as feeder, trays, etc. Upper and lower compartment dividers. Squeeze ability with the larger size cage. Flattened, crimp locked, woven wire mesh. Retractable, self-storing telescoping floor separates upper and lower compartment. Pultruded fiberglass bar flooring. Basket-style squeeze with heavy duty, single handed, indexing lock pin. Integrated bracketing for removable enrichment devices. Full, swinging front doors for upper and lower compartments with integrated sliding transfer doors. Bar spacing shall allow laboratory staff to interact with the subjects. Brand name Information: Britz & Company Lagom4Home Cage (041775) individual housing. The information above is descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality of supply that will be satisfactory. The purpose is to accomplish salient characteristics that fulfill primate caging to house Rhesus monkeys at the Tuszynski Laboratory University of California San Diego. It is responsibility of interested source to demonstrate to Government they can provide the supply that fulfill the required specifications. Notice: Remanufactures or gray market items/ supplies will not be acceptable. Interested parties of RFI/RFQ must be an authorized reseller, distributor, or dealer of the O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Verification can be provided by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM. Equipment shall be in accordance with the OEM terms and conditions. Must be a manufacturer authorized distributor. If you are interested, and are capable to provide the sought-out primate caging, please provide the following information: (1) Company Name (2) Company Address (3) Point of Contact (4) Indicate the size and description of business, such as but not limited to: Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc. (5) Company size under the NAICS code identified under this RFI? (6) Are you the manufacturer or distributor of the item being referenced above (or equivalent product/solution)? What is manufacture country origin of item? (7) Does your company hold any federal contract? (i.e. FSS contract with GSA or NAC, contract with NASA SEWP, etc.) If yes, please provide the contract type and number. (8) Is item available on your schedule/contract? (9) Please provide general price of product for market research purpose. (10) Please submit your capabilities referencing the salient characteristics. Provide any information pertaining to equal item to establish capabilities for planning purposes? Note: Submissions addressing Section (10) should show clear evidence that equal item" meets salient characteristics. Response to this notice shall be submitted via email to
[email protected]. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than August 5, 2019 at 6:00 a.m. PST. If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced a later date. Interested parties must respond to the solicitation announcement. Response to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive copy of solicitation.