R--Veterinary and Animal Care Services

Page 4 of 4 The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 9, hereby provides notice of its intent to award a sole-source, firm fixed contract to the University of Kentucky, 800 Rose St., Lexington, KY 40536-0001. The contract is expected to be awarded under FAR 6.302-1. A Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition has been prepared. The period of performance shall be one base year and four one (1) year options to renew. The period of performance begins 10/01/2018 through 09/30/2019. The contract will provide for The University of Kentucky to provide Veterinary & Animal Care Services in accordance to the statement of work provided for the Lexington VA Medical Center, Coopers Division, Lexington, KY 40502. NAICS code: 541940 Veterinary Services (SBA Size Standard $7.5 Million) STATEMENT OF WORK: INTRODUCTION and SCOPE OF WORK In order to maintain the health of research animals and to ensure the integrity of research projects, this Sharing Agreement with the University of Kentucky, Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (UK DLAR) is required to facilitate the animal portions of approved research protocols in the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) located at the VA Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky. This agreement will provide daily maintenance and housing of research animals, including furnishing food, water, husbandry and daily sanitation of cages (includes weekends and holidays), in accordance with standards of American Association of Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). The standards of care shall meet or exceed those outlined in The Guide of Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and AAALAC, and meet all requirements by national and federal regulatory agencies as long as working conditions and necessary equipment within the Veterinary Medical Unit permit such standards. Housing is defined as animals kept in cages (confinement). REQUIREMENTS Animal care for rodents housed at UK DLAR facilities will be provided Monday through Sunday for as long as a period as is necessary to complete standard duties; there are no exclusions for holiday or absences. Animal care is to be 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays. Per diem will be paid to the University based on the FY19 per diem rates established by UK DLAR. In the event of animal care for rodents at the Lexington VA VMU, and in the instance that the Lexington VA Veterinary Medical Unit becomes understaffed, VA shall utilize a line item of this contract to include payment for service of UK DLAR husbandry staff to provide the daily care and oversight of the research animals. Animal care is to be 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays. Animal husbandry shall include but not limited to, daily cage changes, ensuring appropriate food and water availability, sanitization of caging and caging components, and provide appropriate cleaning schedule in accordance to local SOP. UK DLAR staff will need to secure a VA Without Compensation appointment to work in the VA Veterinary Medical Unit The University of Kentucky shall provide housing for sick animals that are required to be in quarantine, or arrive unclean from a vendor. If the Lexington VA Medical Center does not have sufficient space to house animals, the University of Kentucky will provide the needed space in accordance with VHA Handbook 1200.07. The University of Kentucky shall provide onsite veterinary care to all research animals housed at the Lexington VA and UK DLAR facilities, as well as guidance to staff to ensure that the physical facilities are maintained in compliance with AAALAC standards and proposals involving animal s subjects meet all applicable federal requirements. The Veterinarian shall also serve as a voting member on the VA IACUC. This position will provide consultation Research Investigator s on submitted protocol items, work with the IACUC coordinator on yearly reports, perform monthly inspections of the VA VMU, amongst other required Veterinarian duties outlined in VHA Handbook 1200.07. The University of Kentucky shall provide all equipment, materials, and medications necessary for day-to-day and emergency care of animals. If the use of the operating room is required, it will be staffed with properly trained surgical and research technical support staff. The University of Kentucky will provide the personnel to perform exploratory procedures on sick animals in order to help the veterinarians provide proper treatment. REFERENCES Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals VHA Handbook 1200.07 DELIVERY Deliverable Title Format Number Calendar Days After PO Start IACUC Member LVAMC Determined 12 (or more if needed) Monthly Monthly Inspections LVAMC Determined 12 (or more if needed) Monthly Semiannual Inspections LVAMC Determined 2 180 Veterinarian Care LVAMC/UK DLAR Determined As needed Immediately Emergency Housing of Animals LVAMC/UK DLAR Determined As needed Immediately DLAR Husbandry Coverage LVAMC/UK DLAR Determined As needed Immediately INFORMATION SECURITY In accordance with VA Handbook 6500, there is no contact with VA IT equipment; no security or privacy language is necessary. PROGRESS AND COMPLIANCE Both the Lexington VA Medical Center and the University of Kentucky, along with its respective IACUC, are obligated to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the use of research animals. The University of Kentucky will maintain full accreditation with the AAALAC. The University of Kentucky is responsible for notifying the Lexington VA Medical Center of any instances of non-compliance with respect to the care, transportation or treatment of animals that are covered by this agreement. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement no later than July 27, 2018, 10 AM, Central Time. A determination not to compete this requirement, 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 competitive procurement. The Department of Veterans Affairs will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered. As a result of analyzing responses to this notice of intent, the Government shall determine if a solicitation will be issued. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award. Interested parties are encouraged to furnish information by email only with Veterinary and Animal Care Services in the subject line. All documents submitted will not be returned. All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed above to Contract Specialist, Kevin J. Cochran by email at [email protected]. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor's capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support these requirements, including proof of training and certification for performing maintenance and service on the listed equipment and systems. Point of Contact: Kevin J. Cochran, Contract Specialist (e-mail: [email protected])