88--Microbiologically and Virologically Characterized Research Animals

NA NOTICE OF INTENT SYNOPSIS. For the past 29 years, the EPA has purchased approximately 90% of the research animals utilized by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory under an indefinite quantity contract from Charles River Laboratories. The animals are required for the conduct of a long-range series of short- and long-term research studies on health effects of a wide range of pollutants under varying conditions. This effort will be procured on a sole-source basis from Charles River Laboratories. The circumstance permitting Other than Full and Open Competition is FAR 6.302-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." Approximately 80% of these studies are of a continuing or comparative nature and will require additional animals of the same strains, species, sex, age, and microbiologic and virologic history as well as genetic background. Published studies by a variety of research organizations, including EPA, Veterans' Administration, and the Department of Defense, have demonstrated that nominally identical animals from different sources of supply will react differently under identical protocols. These reactions result from subtle variables in genetic virologic and bacteriologic backgrounds. The Agency has concluded that where inter-comparability of data is required from one study to another, it is necessary to use a common source of supply to eliminate extraneous variables. Use of animals from a supplier other than Charles River would introduce such genetic, microbiological, and virological variables which would invalidate the research data base and make comparability of data scientifically impossible. For these reasons, the Agency has decided to solicit Charles River Laboratories on a non-competitive basis for the majority of its laboratory animal requirements. Approximately ten types of animals of various sexes, ages, weights, etc., will be purchased, including Long Evans Hooded (outbred) Rats; CD (outbred) Albino Rats; Wistar (outbred) Albino Rats; CDF (inbred) Albino Rats; CD-1 (outbred) Albino Mice; DBA/2N HYBRID Mice; B6C3F1 HYBRID Mice; C57BL/6 HYBRID Mice; Balb/C (inbred) Mice; and Hartley-Strain Guinea Pigs. The primary basis for limiting competition is the Agency's conclusion that there is substantial evidence that animals that are not identical genetically, virologically, and bacteriologically to animals previously used in our research introduce unquantifiable variables into the research protocol and that such variables cast unavoidable doubt on the significance of variations on research results. That element of doubt is of such concern to EPA that it would require a definitive and conclusive demonstration of the error of the conclusion before opening this solicitation for competition. It is anticipated that the contract will be a firm fixed price, indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery type of contract. The contract will have a base period of 12 months plus four 12-month options. Anyone wishing to request reconsideration of the Justification for Non-Competitive Procurement must provide such a demonstration to the Agency within 15 days of this Notice. Any such information submitted will be evaluated according to its conclusiveness.*****