Q301--Research Support Services - Rodent Health Testing and Monitoring

The Veteran s Administration (VA) Office of Research and Development, Regional Procurement Office East in Pittsburgh, PA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Charles River Laboratories, Inc. of Wilmington, Massachusetts, on behalf of and support of the Rodent Health Surveillance Monitoring Program of the Research Department at the VA Portland Health Care System. The Portland VAMC requires quarterly rodent health testing and monitoring services for its research colonies housed in the Veterinary Medical Unit. Although other vendors are capable of providing and performing similar testing, the rodent colonies to be monitored under this new requirement procured from Charles River Laboratories, Inc., under BPA 47QSWA22D007F. Colonies procured from alternative vendors pose a higher risk for study compromise. Additionally, CRL is the laboratory that VA Portland s academic affiliate, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) utilizes. Expedited transfers between institutions necessitates utilization of same vendor for animal surveillance and testing and to ensure comparability of test results. Utilizing the same testing laboratory eliminates the need for duplication of testing and costs, and prolonged quarantining of animals when transferring animals between facilities. This requirement is a new contract for services following Contract 36C26020D0013. The specific work to be performed includes: Specific Tasks According to the IACUC-approved VMU Standard Operating Procedures V.d.1 and V.d.9 and according to the IACUC-approved Sentinel Animal Program (Rodent), #2768-18, the specific tasks required are as follows: Task 1: Quarterly animal sentinel testing and test reporting and pathologist consultation as needed, whereby tissue samples are submitted to Charles River Laboratories for specific tests that are of specific importance and significance to the VMU mouse, rat, and prairie vole colonies: Mus Musculus (mouse) and M. ochragaster (vole): Quarter 1: PRIA Testing, Mouse Surveillance Plus; HM profile (voles) Quarter 2: PRIA Testing, Mouse Prevalent; HM profile (voles) Quarter 3: PRIA Testing, Mouse Surveillance Plus; HM profile (voles) Quarter 4: Serological Testing, Mouse Tracking Profile; HM profile (voles) Task 2: Quarterly animal sentinel testing and test reporting and pathologist consultation as needed, whereby tissue samples are submitted to Charles River Laboratories for specific tests that are of specific importance and significance to the VMU mouse, rat, and prairie vole colonies: Rattus norvegicus (rat): Quarter 1: Assessment Plus Serology Quarter 2: Assessment Plus Serology Quarter 3: Assessment Plus Serology Quarter 4: Necropsy and Serology Task 3: Quarterly testing and test reporting (and pathologist consultation as needed) of Thoren rack housing units and caging filter tops whereby HEPA filters are tested for genetic components of viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases: Housing Unit Plenums: Quarter 1: PRIA Testing Quarter 2: PRIA Testing Quarter 3: PRIA Testing Quarter 4: PRIA Testing Task 4: Charles River Laboratories will provide the following supplies for sample submission: 1. Non-alginate oral swab 2. Body swab 3. Eppendorf tubes 4. Shipping containers 5. Microsampler (Neoteryx) Performance Monitoring: Charles River Laboratories provides the COR annually and on an as requested basis the results of the following: 1. The accreditation status of AAALAC, International most recent site visit; 2. Quarterly sentinel results of their own animal colonies; 3. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certifications of all testing equipment. Subtask Quality Assurance: Charles River Laboratories provides the VMU with their Quality Assurance outcome reports on an annual basis and as requested by the Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO) at VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). These reports include testing equipment certifications, disease outbreaks, and disease monitoring. For example, Charles River Laboratories provides nationwide statistics for Mouse Parvo Virus Test Results to track disease prevalence and disease prevalence by region. Subtask Technical Support: Charles River Laboratories provides expert technical support representatives to assist the assigned Veterinary Medical Officer and Unit Team in test outcomes, interpretation, and monitoring follow-up. The Technical Support Specialists are Doctors of Veterinary Medicine who are Board-Certified in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Veterinary Pathology. The Charles River Laboratories Technical Team is especially familiar with the VMU s unique program and needs and can provide particular expertise in a timely and specific manner. They have a long-standing familiarity with the VMU s program and specific needs. Subtask Contract Management: 1. Ashley Browarski, Financial Administrative Specialist and COR II with Research and Development Service, will administer and manage contracts, purchase orders, and provide contract updates to the VMU. 2. The assigned VMO reviews testing procedures and results to assure investigators and the IACUC team of the health and well-being of the research animal colony. The assigned VMO responds to disease outbreaks as needed and implements disease containment measures, decontamination of facilities, treatment of animals, and on-going training of VMU staff. The assigned VMO routinely consults with experts in laboratory animal medicine and pathology at Charles River Laboratories. 3. The assigned Lead Veterinary Technician conducts all testing of sentinel rodents and ships samples to Charles River Laboratories. The assigned Lead Veterinary Technician receives the quarterly test results, reports any areas of concern to the VMO, and reviews test results. The assigned Lead Veterinary Technician consults with Charles River Laboratories Technical Team on an as needed basis regarding sample submission, shipping, and reporting. Task 2: Deliverables are Test Results: Test Results are delivered quarterly to VAPORHCS VMU following quarterly sample submission to Charles River Laboratories or delivered on an as needed basis to a particular test performed. Diagnostic summary for quarterly sentinel results or specific test results from a particular sample submission; this includes gross necropsy and thirteen serologic test results along with a positive control test. Diagnostic summary for quarterly sentinel results or specific test results from a particular sample submission including gross necropsy findings; this includes thirty-eight polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results for viral, bacterial, and parasitic genomes. Diseases tested for include: MFIA SEND MFIA PVM MFIA MHV MFIA MVM MFIA MPV-1 MFIA MPV-2 MFIA NS-1 MFIA MNV MFIA GDVII - MFIA REO MFIA EDIM (ROTA-A) MFIA MPUL MFIA Anti-Ig MAV 1 & 2 PCR - PVM PCR - RCV/SDAV PCR - REO PCR - RPV PCR - RTV PCR - SEND PCR - SEO (Hantavirus) PCR - Beta Strep Grp B PCR + Beta Strep Grp C PCR - Beta Strep Grp G PCR - B. bronchiseptica PCR - Campylobacter Genus PCR - CAR Bacillus PCR - C. kutscheri PCR - C. piliforme PCR - Helicobacter genus - K. oxytoca PCR - K. pneumoniae PCR - M. pulmonis PCR P. pneumotropica-Heyl PCR - P. pneumotropica-Jawetz PCR + P. mirabilis - Ps. aeruginosa PCR - Salmonella Genus PCR - S. aureus PCR - S. moniliformis PCR - S. pneumoniae PCR - Cryptosporidium PCR - Entamoeba PCR - Giardia PCR - Mite PCR - Pinworm PCR - Pneumocystis PCR - Spironucleus muris PCR Security Requirements Charles River Laboratories will have no access to VA Portland Health Care System VMU computer systems or databases, PHI/PII, or sensitive study information. No Charles River Laboratory employee has VMU access. VMU access is monitored monthly as well as randomly. The Veterinary Medical Officer oversees which individuals have access to this Bio-secure area. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI) N/A Other Pertinent Information or Special Considerations a. Identification of Possible Follow-on Work N/A b. Identification of Potential Conflicts of Interest (COI) N/A c. Inspection and Acceptance Criteria. Along with Principal Investigators and the Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO), the test results will be forwarded to the assigned COR or Research Department POC who will see that the work is being done as stated in the SOW. The COR or Research Department POC will provide Monthly Account Status Reports to the VMO, and in these reports the COR will provide updates of the Charles River Laboratories Testing Results. VMU staff will keep accountability for contract burn rates, product or servicing needs being requested, and take measures to action any contract modifications with the assigned COR or Research Department POC according to the Federal Acquisition Regulations for needs outside of the original award. Risk Control All agents within the Veterinary Medical Unit are either Risk Group 2 or less and are under Animal Biosafety Level 2 or less. Standard donning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required to enter the VMU, and this measure protects both humans and animals from possible zoonotic infections. Allergen exposure is the greatest risk, and all work will be performed in a certified (annually) Animal Changing Station (NuAire) or biosafety cabinet. Individuals working on the animals are enrolled in the Occupational Health and Safety Program and have annual medical evaluations performed by Employee Health specialists. Individuals are annually fit-tested with N-95 masks. VMU staff will continue to meet VAMC Biosafety requirements with the [assigned] Research & Development Biosafety officer(s). Place of Performance Tissue sample collection occurs within the VMU at VAPORHCS. Testing of samples will occur at Charles River Laboratories, Animal Diagnostic Services, 261 Ballardvale Street, Receiving Dock, Building 22, Wilmington, MA 01887 Period of Performance 9/1/2025 8/31/2030 The sole source is pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, however; any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement and supporting documentation to the contracting office no later than 11:59AM EST, Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Interest/capability statements may be sent to this Contracting Officer at [email protected]. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination to not compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.