THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation for bids, proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. The responses received from interested contractors will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 20, is conducting market research to identify potential sources which can provide the following supplies in support of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS), Seattle Division: VAPSHCS has a need for the annual certification, maintenance and periodic HEPA filter changes for up to 60 Biological Safety Cabinets housed at the VAPSHCS Seattle division research laboratories in buildings 1, 8, 13, 34, and 101. See appendix A: RD Biosafety Cabinets for current information on each BSC. Background. A significant number of research investigators at the VAPSHCH require Biosafety Level 2 safety precautions to study human disease using tissue culture models and primary cell lines derived from patient biopsies. It is imperative that these cell lines are kept free of microbial contamination that will confound research results. In addition to providing a sterile environment to work with cell lines, biosafety cabinets (BSC) are a critical engineering control for research staff when working with viral vectors or processing human samples. Biosafety cabinet s laminar flow directs air outside of the cabinet through a HEPA filter to prevent outside contamination and filters the air exhausted from the cabinet. The research facility at VAPSHCS maintains 58 biosafety cabinets from various manufacturers for its research investigators. These cabinet s HEPA filters must be checked for leaks and airflow rates and potentially modified annually to insure they are providing adequate protection for research staff. All BSC must be certified before use. Scope. VAPSHCS Research and Development section requires a multiyear contract to cover annual certification, maintenance and periodic HEPA filter changes for up to 60 Biological Safety Cabinets housed at the VAPSHCS Seattle division research laboratories in buildings 1, 8, 13, 34, and 101. See Appendix A: RD Biosafety Cabinets on pages 4 7 for current information on each BSC. Specific Tasks. Full testing and certification of class II biosafety cabinets listed in appendix A, to include: testing battery, in place leak test HEPA filters, test airflow smoke patterns, site installation assessment test, exhaust canopy test. conduct airflow velocity test, Repair (remedial) services: This will include other services necessary to maintain the equipment in first-class operating condition to include, but not limited to cleaning, lubricating, adjusting as part of a scheduled maintenance service and replacing parts when required. The SOW covers repairs performed during annual maintenance and covers general repairs of filter replacements up to $5000 in cost. Dr. Timothy Strovas RD Biosafety Officer will schedule visits with contractor to perform the maintenance work within one calendar month of request to schedule visit, and not more than one year will pass between visits to each BSC for certification. Service must be completed between 8:00 a.m. and 4: 30 p.m. In the event the technician is not able to complete the repairs during the initial visit to the site, the Government user will be notified of the reason for not completing the work. Upon completion of repairs, the technician shall brief the Government user of the repairs accomplished and demonstrate that the repairs have been completed and obtain a signature from the Government user on the company s repair or service order prior to departing the VAMC. Contractor shall affix a label indicating the name of the Contractor, the date of the service, the date the next annual service is due, and a local contact telephone number and SID to be called for repair services. The Contractor shall remove any pre-existing labels other than the Government s bar code equipment label. A service report shall be provided to the VA RD Biosafety Officer. Service reports and invoices shall list each piece of equipment separately with service identification number (SID) number, service provided, and monthly cost. Invoices are to be submitted within 14 days of the date of service. Contractor must be available for emergency repairs of BSC within a 24 hour/next day period. Performance Monitoring The performance of the contract will be monitored by Timothy Strovas the RD Biosafety Officer. Dr. Strovas will report performance to COR after services have been performed. The COR will examine all maintenance reports and approve all invoices. Security Requirements Contractor will require access to the facility on bi-annually to perform certifications. The contractor may also be onsite to perform repairs, during regular business hours only. Contractor technicians will always be escorted while they are in the facility by Timothy Strovas or RD Operations Staff. Any service performed on the premises is done under R&D security and safety guidelines which include training and continuous escort of the person. The contractor will not require access to VA LAN or VA computers. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI). No government furnished equipment is required. Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations. Identification of Possible Follow-on Work. No follow-on work identified Identification of Potential Conflicts of Interest (COI). No conflict of interest exists. Identification of Non-Disclosure Requirements. No non-disclosure requirements identified. The contractor will not have access to any VA sensitive information or proprietary information, so no non-disclosure agreements are needed. Packaging, Packing and Shipping Instructions. No special packaging, packing, or shipping instructions required. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria. The Research and Development Biosafety Officer Timothy Strovas will inspect each BSC to ensure that is has been labelled properly. Risk Control Contactor personnel will have supervised and escorted access to the facility, including laboratories. Contractor personnel will be required to wear standard personal protective equipment. Contractor personnel will be given information on biological hazards and or other hazards prior to entry into laboratories. Contractor will always be escorted when working in the RD restricted lab areas. Place of Performance. The work will take place at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle division, 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 Research and Development Buildings, 1, 8, 13, 34, 101 Approximate Period of Performance. Base Year: June 1, 2021 - May 31, 2022 Option Year 1: June 1, 2022 May 31, 2023 Option Year 2: June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024 Option year 3: June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025 Option Year 4: June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026 13. Delivery Schedule. This contract will be effective approximately June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022, with four (4) one (1) year options. The contractor shall perform no services after February 28 (29), 2027. See the table below for due Certification Due Dates. Each BSC must be certified before the Due Date. New biosafety cabinets will be certified after they arrive at the VAPSHCS on an as needed basis. Certification scheduling will: be done by Tim Strovas and TSS staff take place two weeks advance of service date will be planned to accommodate the RD Safety, Lab Workers and Lab Ops staff members Appendix A - List of equipment to be tested and certified Manufacturer Model # Serial # Cabinet ID number Certification due date 1 Nuaire NU-425-400 58751ABS/EE25627 095660 September 2021 2 Nuaire NU-540-400 188782103018 419606 September 2021 3 Nuaire NU-540-400 188784103018 419607 September 2021 4 NUAIRE NU-425-400 107606070606 401459 September 2021 5 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153103100812 403766 September 2021 6 Nuaire NU-543-400 183165112817 419925 September 2021 7 Nuaire   183151112817 419924 September 2021 8 Nuaire NU-602-401 17803020801/EE52244 121807 September 2021 9 Nuaire NU-543-400 183156112817 419942 September 2021 10 Nuaire NU-543-400 183166112817 419926 September 2021 11 Nuaire NU-425-400 58748ABS/EE25059 094515 September 2021 12 Nuaire NU-425-400 58750ABS/EE25624 094516 September 2021 13 Nuaire NU-425-400 58752ABS/EE25625 094517 September 2021 14 Forma 1200 16779-102/EE45215 109430 September 2021 15 Forma 1200 16779-106/EE45214 108644 September 2021 16 Baker SG-603 65979/EE49573 122916 December 2021 17 NUAIRE NU-425-400 135662020910 402603 December 2021 18 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153100100812 403771 December 2021 19 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153101100812 403772 December 2021 20 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153102100812 403773 December 2021 21 Nuaire NU-425-400 58749ABS/EE25622 093729 December 2021 22 Nuaire NU-425-400 58754ABS/EE25621 094519 December 2021 23 Nuaire NU-540-400 175336072716 409201 December 2021 24 Nuaire NU-407-400 52874AM/EE28057 086802 December 2021 25 Baker B40A-112 BA46224V/EE24544 086577 December 2021 26 Nuaire NU-407-400 51549XS 092006 December 2021 27 Nuaire NU-407-400 52873AM/EE36683 086801 December 2021 28 Nuaire NU-407-400 52872AM/EE28055 086800 December 2021 29 Nuaire NU-407-400 51548XS 092007 December 2021 30 Baker SG403A 92295/EE 172414 TBD December 2021 31 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153105100812 403767 March 2022 32 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153099100812 403768 March 2022 33 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153106100812 403769 March 2022 34 NUAIRE NU-475-400 153104100812 403770 March 2022 35 Nuaire NU-425-400 135467012910/EE89790 401006 March 2022 36 NUAIRE NU-425-400 135655020810/EE90283 402897 March 2022 37 NUAIRE NU-425-400 107826071106 401587 March 2022 38 Baker B40-112 SP28431V 091998 March 2022 39 Baker SG-603 66068 117176 March 2022 40 Baker SG-403 65740 117174 March 2022 41 Nuaire NU-543-400 183158112817 420147 March 2022 42 Nuaire NU-543-400 183157112817 420148 March 2022 43 Nuaire NU-543-400 183154112817 420149 March 2022 44 Nuaire NU-543-400 183152112817 420150 March 2022 45 Nuaire NU-543-400 183153112817 420151 March 2022 46 Nuaire NU-543-400 183155112817 420152 June 2022 47 Baker BCC300AMS 126362 420282 June 2022 48 Nuaire NU-543-600 183167112817 419923 June 2022 49 Nuaire NU-543-600 183168112817 419943 June 2022 50 Baker NCB-B4 SP44670V/EE24545 086575 June 2022 51 Nuaire NU-425-400 58755ABS 094520 June 2022 52 Nuaire NU-425-400 107657071006 NW192916 June 2022 53 Nuaire NU-425-400 135466012910 401007 June 2022 54 Nuaire NU-425-400 107828071106 402093 June 2022 55 Nuaire NU-425-400 107827071106 402094 June 2022 56 Baker B60-112 SP13798V/EE16050 086574 June 2022 57 Baker SG-403 65751 117175 June 2022 58 Forma 1284 22804-2142 128861 June 2022 59 Anticipated acquisition of additional biosafety cabinet 60 Anticipated acquisition of additional biosafety cabinet No gray market or remanufactured items will be acceptable. Vendor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), authorized dealer, authorized distributor, or authorized reseller for the proposed equipment/system, verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM. Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide the above stated supplies at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via e-mail to Jennifer Robles at [email protected] no later than May 13, 2021, 5PM PST. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Company name, address, DUNS number and business size; point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail address; whether services are presently offered on a current GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract. NAICS Code 811219, Size Standard: $22.0 Million is applicable to determine business size standard. Any questions or concerns may also be directed via email to Jennifer Robles at [email protected]. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This Sources Sought Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. The Government will treat any information received as proprietary and will not share such information with other companies. Any organization responding to this Sources Sought Notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. The Government may or may not issue a solicitation as a result of this announcement. There is no solicitation available at this time.

Bid Protests Not Available