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This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation number is NICHD-23-166 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-05. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 332999 and the business size standard is 750e. However, this solicitation is not set aside for small business. This acquisition is being conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intend to procure on a sole source basis with Lab Products – 2225 Pulaski Highway- Aberdeen, MD 21001, new rodent caging equipment comprising of the following items/products:

1. Item# 77010-SM - Super Mouse 750™ Micro-Isolator® cage monitoring system - Quantity (1) EA

2. Item# 77010-OC - One Cage™ Micro-Isolator® cage monitoring system - Quantity (1) EA

3. Item# 75034-HYP - Zyfone™ Super Mouse 750™ diet delivery system w/wire feeder – Quantity (2000) EA

4. Item# 75042 - Zytem™ Super Mouse™ 15 oz. water bottle – Quantity (1000) EA

New water bottles, monitoring systems, and stainless-steel wire mesh feeder attachments are needed in the 6B animal facility to accommodate the increase in animal population as well as replacing the damaged and unrepairable ones that have been removed from circulation. Without the additional caging equipment listed above the facility will not be able to keep up with the demand for hoppers with complete wire mesh feeder attachments, cage bottoms and water bottles due to the continued growth of the animal colony which in turn will delay the changing schedule for the animal rooms which could possibly compromise the research being conducted since the rooms are on a strict change schedule. These Zytem super mouse water bottles are essential for providing a water delivery source to the animals housed in those cages. The stainless-steel wire mesh feeders’ attachments secure the feed in the hopper to allow the animals an easy and safe access while the micro isolated monitoring systems validate proper environmental conditions within the cage to ensure they are maintained consistently throughout the day.

This caging equipment cannot be purchased from another vendor as they are custom designed to work specifically with the animal racks, hoppers, caging lids, and water baskets already in use within the facility. The water bottles and wire mesh feeders are made to same dimensions as the bottle baskets and hoppers and the cage bottoms, mouse rack clips, and dual position locks are customized to fit the Lab product animal racks the facility uses. If they were to be purchased from another vendor the turnaround time would be considerably longer due to the alternative vendor having to be custom made to the same specifications as the current ones already in use and the vendor would need to acquire the custom molds Lab product uses to produce the water bottles, feeders, and cage bottoms used throughout the 6B facility. As well as the added cost this would entail would not be advantageous to the Government/NIH.

Lab Products is the only vendor currently making these water bottles, monitoring system, and stainless-steel wire mesh feeder attachments, as they are designed to work specifically with the lab product animal housing racks, cage lids, and water bottle baskets that the facility already has in use. The specification and R&D work have already been completed and the company is able to move into production of the theses upon receipt of an order. No other vendor can do this without the facility providing a sample of each caging equipment along with specifications and dimensions of the animal housing racks in use in order for the alternative vendor to determine if they are able to produce the equipment needed. This will

result in more down time for the facility and ultimately an inability for the facility to keep up with cage changing schedules and the demand for clean water for all of the research animals housed in the facility.

The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of the 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), FAR 6.302. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The offeror must include a completed copy of the provision of FAR Clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items with its offer. The provisions of FAR Clause 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items; and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items – Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions applies to this acquisition. Note to vendor/contractor: The contractor shall provide a completed copy of FAR 52.204-24, "Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment" with their quote in response to this solicitation. The offeror must include their Unique Entity Identifier number (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. The clauses are available in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/. Vendors capable of furnishing the government with products specified in this synopsis should submit a copy of their quotation/offer to the following email address: robinsti@mail.nih.gov Attn: Tina Robinson by the due date and time below. Offers must also be accompanied by descriptive literature, warranties and/or other information that demonstrates that the offer meets all the foregoing requirements. Offeror must include the delivery date/timeframe with offer. Quotations will be due w/in seven calendar days from the publication date of this synopsis however, no later than June 8, 2023, before 5:00 PM EDT. The quotation must reference “Solicitation number” NICHD-23-166 and “Solicitation number” NICHD-23-166 must be on/in subject line of email. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency. Any questions must be sent via email to robinsti@mail.nih.gov and must include Solicitation # NICHD-23-166 in the subject line of email.

Note: In order to receive an award, contractor must be registered as all awards and have valid certification in the System for Award Management (SAM) @ www.Sam.gov. Lack of valid registration in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for award.