R--Veterinaey Services

The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, intends to negotiate a sole source contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and the authority of FAR Part 6.302-1, only one responsible source to New England Veterinary Services. The requirement is to the VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and Brockton Campus. This includes providing guidance to funded investigators, compliance and local federal regulatory agencies, weekly rounds to support animal health and welfare, surgical and anesthetic oversight, serve as a member of the IACUC, and maintain AAALAC accreditation. The contractor shall also provide administrative support to the programs of all of the above mentioned sites. These administrative responsibilities include attendance at monthly Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) meetings, pre-review of all new animal related research proposals, veterinary signatures for all such research proposals, assistance and review of materials related to regulatory organizations as they pertain to the animal research program, and weekly meetings with the Administrative Officer and/or ACOS/Research and Development. Contractor may also serve as a member of the Research Bio-safety Committee as liaison to the IACUC, if requested by the ACOS/R&D. The VA Boston Healthcare System and its various research programs are required to maintain compliance with mandated regulatory agencies relative to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Program. This service is necessary to maintain compliance and also provide professional guidance and technical support to the healthcare facilities investigator in planning, executing and directing research and development activities using animals. The contractor has served as a principal investigator on funded research projects and is a subject matter expert with a variety of animal species including but not limited to: rodents, primates, sheep, swine, dogs and rabbits. Said expertise includes surgery and anesthesia with said species. The contractor has developed practices and implemented measures to ensure strict compliance with local and federal regulatory agencies which includes the Institutional Animal Care and Use Program. This expertise is critical to maintain the Department of Veterans Affairs AAALAC accreditation. The contractor has also developed unique and innovative concepts not otherwise available to the Government through his extensive research and reporting. These results have a direct impact on developing improved patient care. Other companies would have to start from the beginning which would not be cost effective, and slow pending research/studies that are ongoing. This is not a request for proposal. However, veterinarians that can provide an equal qualifications must submit their capabilities to include specifications of their uniqueness and past performance documentation. This information will be reviewed by the Government representatives for consideration for future requirements. Email statements are preferred. Statements are due no later than April 15, 2009 at 12noon EST. Phone inquiries will not be accepted. This is not a solicitation; it is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source requirement.