Mouse/Rodent Diet and Bedding

DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND : The National Institutes of Health - NIAAA intends to procure the services of a contractor to provide “Mouse/Rodent Diet and Bedding” and deliver weekly to our Animal Labs.  For this particular research study, the Lab needs Teklad-brand animal diets.  While there are various animal production companies (The Jackson Laboratory, Taconic Biosciences…) that sell similar diets and/or beddings, this research study requires the Lab to use a “particular” brand for comparison and continuity reasons as the Lab attests- below:“Feed and Bedding is needed for research animals housed in the FLAC and cared for by NIAAA. Feed and Bedding is required on a continual and consistent basis without interruption. Due to special studies and behavioral studies we cannot change the feed, bedding, or vendor as it may contribute unexpected variables and could confound the experiments. The animals must be provided the same exact feed and bedding from the same exact vendor and changes

to husbandry protocols are not permitted.Concerns have arisen in the scientific community regarding the reproducibility of animal models between institutions and across time (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4326421/pdf/pone.0116704.pdf). Studies have demonstrated that differences in factors such as caging and bedding can modulate the gut microbiota. Researchers at different institutions performing the same experiments, with the same strain of mouse purchased from the same vendor, could generate different data and reach ostensibly different conclusions. Both could be completely valid datasets, the difference merely reflecting a microbial influence on experimental outcomes. In addition to the differences in the composition of the cecal microbiota between mice housed in static caging with aspen bedding and the other groups, there was also an apparent difference in the uniformity of the cecal microbiota. As sample size calculations are partially based on the anticipated variance present in the outcome of interest, it is reasonable to believe that decreased variance in the composition of the gut microbiota through certain husbandry practices (e.g., mice housed in ventilated housing in the current study) could decrease the sample size needed to achieve adequate study power. Data demonstrates the need to consider the gut microbiota, and by extension, the husbandry of research animals. NIH has called for measures to enhance the reproducibility of preclinical research, particularly studies employing animal models. NIH/NIAAA Laboratory and Branch Chiefs must now certify on Animal Study Proposals their approval of the study on the basis of scientific merit and scientific rigor and reproducibility. Despite the best efforts of commercial vendors to maintain consistency, available evidence suggests that differences in composition exist among mice diets and bedding that are purchased from different vendors or even from different facilities operated by the same vendor. Thus, when open formula diets or bedding are purchased from two different vendors, one cannot assume that they are identical. The NIAAA Animal Care and Use Committee recommended maintaining consistency in both vendor and vendor location when purchasing open formula diets and bedding for a series of related studies. The NIAAA Animal Care and Use Committee agreed to purchase feed and bedding from Envigo (T.7017.15 for the feed and T.7092.40 for the bedding).Description of products:- Mouse/Rat Sterilizable Rodent Diet- Corn Cob 1/8" Bedding”This proposed procurement is for a service for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole source basis to Envigo RMS, LLC located at 8520 Allison Pointe Blvd. in Indianapolis, IN ,46250-5702.  In order to comply with the requirements in this Special Notice #HHSNENVIGO02052021, the responses should be based on our interpretation of the general requirements provided below.Note 22. The proposed contract action is for a continuation of previous services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit quotations. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all quotes received within the time and date of publication of this "Special Note " will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with 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 future competitive procurement.HOW TO RESPOND: In order to compete for this project, interested parties must be registered in the Central Contracting Registration and submit a price quotation by 2:00 pm, ET, February 26, 2021. Offerors should submit one copy of the quote to MOE FILALI by email preferably. Electronic transmissions to Moe.Filali@nih.gov are preferable but must be timely. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure the proposal is received by the date and time shown above.The following Federal Acquisition Regulations clauses are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Mar 2005), 52.212-4 (Sept 2005), 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes of Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Aug 2006). (6)(i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Apr 2002) (E.O. 11246). (18) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Dec 2001) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (19) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 1998) (29 U.S.C. 793). (20) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Dec 2001) (38 U.S.C. 4212). (31) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).Primary Point of Contact:MOE FILALI Contracting Office Address: NIH/NICHD Office of Acquisitions6710B Rockledge Drive, Room 1145DBethesda, MD 20817(w) 301.827 7737Moe.filali@nih.gov