The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking potential sources under the proposed NAICS Code 423490 who have the capability to provide an atmospherically controllable workstation inclusive of the salient characteristics below. The workstation is specifically designed to perform experiments to conduct research on tumor cell biology in low oxygen environments. This is a sources sought synopsis only. The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NACIS 423490. Responses to this synopsis will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this sources sought synopsis, a RFQ may be issued. Salient Characteristics: " The workstation must be capable of setting, achieving, and maintaining specific and measurable levels of oxygen (O2- from 0-100%), carbon dioxide (CO2-from 0-20%), and temperature (from ambient to 40oC. " The workstation must have an operator/computer controlled gas/temperature regulator system capable of achieving the required O2/CO2 concentrations (in 0.1% increments) and temperature levels (in 1 degree increments). The workstation should be able to be humidified or have humidified incubation chamber. " The equipment must have accurate gas (O2 and CO2) sensors capable of measurement and calibration of the workstation environment to ensure accuracy and precision of the environment. " The workstation should have both fluorescent and UV lights to provide illumination and decontamination of the interior work areas. " The workstation should have an internal fan system to ensure uniform environmental conditions. The workstation should have a HEPA filtration system, either via standard HEPA filters on the gas lines or through a recirculating atmosphere filtration system (preferred). " The workstation should have internal shelving and/or humidified incubation box for storage of reagents, cells, flasks, and tissue culture dishes. " The workstation must be capable of being sanitized with standard cleaning agents and be able to maintain a sterile internal environment suitable for cell culture. " The equipment must allow the researcher to access and handle cell cultures using a "glove box" design such that cell cultures can be accessed and/or manipulated without disrupting or modifying the internal environmental conditions. " The equipment must have a mechanism to access the internal workstation area (such as by air locks) so that cells, reagents, and small equipment can be introduced into the internal hypoxic workstation space without disrupting the internal environment. " The external footprint of the equipment should be able to fit within the space available in the laboratory, such as on a bench top (~3-4 feet long, ~2-3 feet deep, ~2-4 feet tall). " The workstation should be made of acrylic or other durable plastic material (or a mixture of acrylic and stainless steel/aluminum), have a removable front or sides to facilitate cleaning and maintenance, and be of a "modular" design so that additional features can be added in the future (such as microscope view ports). " The internal workspace of the workstation must have standard electrical outlets (110v) or feed through adaptors for electrical wiring, tubing or cords. Services: Installation and training: The vendor must provide setup and user training support within 30 days of delivery. Interested Sources should submit product information (no more than 15 pages in length) to Lynn Portman, Contracting Officer, by email at
[email protected], no later than 12pm (noon) EST on Monday, June 7, 2013. Only products meeting the salient characteristics listed above will be considered. Responses to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Is your business small (2) If small, does your firm qualify as a small, emerging business, or small disadvantaged business? (3) If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and if your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act? (4) Is your firm a certified "Hubzone" firm? (5) Is your firm a woman-owned or operated business? (6) Is your firm a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small or veteran owned small business? Your response should identify your business size (large or small) in relation to the NAICS code(s) and also identify which group(s) you are interested and eligible to compete in. .