8710--Food Bedding Enrichment Order for Animal Research Facility

The Department of Veterans Affairs is providing a Notice of Intent to advise that the Government intends to Sole Source, Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order with Animal Specialties. The procurement is for procurement of specific animal feed, bedding and enrichment items for the animals in the Research and Development Service Line, in support for Puget Sound VA Healthcare System located in Seattle, WA. This is a FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) single source procurement will be made under the authority of Other Than Full and Open Competition in FAR 6.302-1 and 41 USC 3304(a)(1). Only one responsible source and no other requirement will satisfy the needs of the Government. The Research and Development Service Line has a requirement that all animal feed must be of research grade in accordance with the standards of the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. Contractor must store, maintain and transport animal feed in accordance with guidelines set forth by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. Laboratory bedding shall contain no hydrocarbons. Enrichment items must consistent and not contain any chemicals that could be harmful to the animals. Brand Name products are required as specified and no equal substitutions will be considered, to maintain the consistency of the research environment. Alternation of the ingredients makeup is not allowed as any changes could negatively impact the outcome of research project results. The same diet, bedding and enrichment items, with no changes, is required throughout the research term. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 311119. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes and no solicitation will be made available. Any responses received will only be considered for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in lieu of sole source contract described in this notice, and such determination shall be made at the sole discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirement. If no responses are received, the government will proceed with the Sole Source acquisition. The Government will not pay for information submitted. This will be the only notice of the Government's intent to solicit, negotiate, and award to one source to satisfy this requirement. The Government plans to award a contract for this requirement on 9/16/2019. Written comments or questions regarding this notice must be received by the Contracting Specialist by email at [email protected] no later than 1200 EST, 3/17/2021. This notice satisfies the requirement at FAR 5.201(b)(1), to publicize the proposed contract action.