88--Fischer Rats Implanted with DSI Transmitters

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Charles River Laboratories of Wilmington, MA 01887. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE. RESPONSES WILL BE USED FOR FUTURE ACQUISITIONS ONLY. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: Fischer rats implanted with DSI Transmitters C50PXT with leads for heart rate and BP. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): Previous protocols have used Charles River Laboratories as the vendor for Fischer Rats implanted with transmitters, in order to compare data across studies, it is required that the rats are implanted with the same surgical techniques and protocols, given the same analgesics and post-operative care. This reduces the possibility of experimental variability due to implant procedure thus producing good, reliable data. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: The nature of the product requested necessitates the rats come from Charles River Laboratories. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: None 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: None Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: [email protected] no later than 16:00 EST on Wednesday, 27 April 2011.