This notice announces the intent by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), in support of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), to issue a sole source, firm-fixed priced (FFP) solicitation HT9425-24-Q-2001 for 2 custom stainless steel Non-Human Primate (NHP) cage units (one-over-one design) to be compatible with the current automatic watering system, cage wash system, and animal holding room requirements currently in place at the USAMRICD. The authority for the sole source justification and other than full and open competition procedures will be in accordance with (IAW) FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), soliciting from a single source, for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

This notice serves as the Government's notice of intent. The USAMRICD Neuroscience Department requires 2 custom NHP cage units (one-over-one design). The cage units are required to be constructed of stainless steel, as well as be interchangeable/largely identical to the cages that are currently owned and used by researchers at USAMRICD. The key difference is that the cages requested will not have a perch and will have a modified squeeze back mechanism. Cage delivery is to USAMRICD Neuroscience Department located on Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

USAMRICD has a mission to discover and develop medical products and knowledge solutions against chemical threats with the vision of strengthening our nation and our world by rendering chemical threats medically harmless. As part of the mission, the Neuroscience Department at the USAMRICD uses animal research models to evaluate efficacy of therapeutics and countermeasures. A crucial part of the animal research model is proper housing that allows a safe environment for exposure to toxins that produce often severe physiological reactions. These reactions are an integral part of evaluating currently fielded, as well as novel, countermeasures. The custom cages need to be constructed of stainless steel to withstand the physiological stressors of exposure to chemical agents, and they will not have the perch which is standard in most primate housing. These cages are essential to the success of current and future projects utilizing non-human primates as a research model. To complete funding agency milestones and prevent mission failure, the USAMRICD requires 2 custom fabricated stainless steel primate cages, without a perch, and with the squeeze mechanism engineered into the left and right sides of the cage.

Failure to award a contract will jeopardize mission success, delay achievement of crucial research milestones and risk future funding.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 332439, Other Metal Container Manufacturing and a Small Business Size Standard of 600 in number of employees.

The Product Supply Code (PSC) is 3770, Saddlery, harnesses, whips, and related Animal Furnishings

This Notice of Intent announcement is for 2 custom stainless steel Non-Human Primate (NHP) cage units and is not a request for competitive quotations. However, the Government will consider all responses received. The Government will not be responsible for any cost incurred in preparation of quotations. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a subsequent competitive procurement.

All interested parties may submit a response for consideration and identify their capability (formats for submission: PDF, MS Word, or MS Excel) by e-mail only to Mr. Kenneth Grenier, Contract Specialist, at email: kenneth.e.grenier2.civ@health.mil , by 09 February 2023 at 12:00 PM (Noon) Eastern Time.