8710--Research Grade Animal Food and Bedding in support of VA Portland Healthcare System, Veterinary Medical Unit Portland, OR

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation for bids, proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. The responses received from interested contractors will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method. The intended contract is a firm-fixed price. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 20, is conducting market research to identify potential sources which can provide the following in support of VA Portland Healthcare System, Veterinary Medical Unit, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, Oregon 97239-2964. The Boise VA Medical Center has a need for a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for research grade animal food and bedding. This is a brand name requirement. No substitutions will be accepted. For detailed information, please see below. Should a set-aside be deemed appropriate, VAAR 852.219-76, VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting or FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting shall apply as prescribed. Full text of clauses available here: VAAR 852.219-75: https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/vaar852.asp#85221976 FAR 52.219-14: https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52#FAR_52_219_14 Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide the stated services at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via e-mail to Jennifer Robles at jennifer.robles1@va.gov no later than August 4, 2026, 1PM, Mountain Time. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Company name, address, SAM UEI, and business size; point of contact name, phone number, and e-mail address; whether services are presently offered on a current GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, NASA SEWP, or any other Federal contract. NAICS Code 311111, 1,250 employees, is applicable to determine business size standard. Please indicate whether you are able to comply with the Limitations on Subcontracting should a set-aside be issued. Any questions or concerns may also be directed via email to Jennifer Robles at jennifer.robles1@va.gov. Background. Portland VA Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) is in need of a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for laboratory animal food, bedding, enrichment and other necessary care items. Reliability and reproducibility in research outcomes are the hallmark of excellent scientific research, and all these items have major implications for the interpretation and reproducibility of study results in animals (Tuck, et al, Nature, 10, 17784, 2020). In order to maintain consistent intestinal microbiome, and provide reliable data results, laboratory animals require the same source of rodent diet and bedding consistently. Diets and bedding must be irradiated and maintained under strict quality control from manufacture through endpoint delivery in order to prevent disease transmission. To maintain the necessary integrity and consistency of research, we must therefore use a distributor who can furnish the exact items listed in the quote. Items provided CANNOT be equivalent and MUST be directly delivered to the Portland VMU by the distributor. Included in this contract is a component to deliver food and bedding in the event of a disaster and to remove contaminated waste in the event of a natural disaster. 3. Scope. This contract covers the supply of animal food, bedding, environmental enrichment, and other care items for the VA Portland Health Care System Portland campus VMU only. It also includes the delivery of these products to the animal colony as well as removal of contaminated animal waste in the event of a natural disaster. 4. Specific Tasks. Task 1: Contractor will deliver products on a regular basis, as ordered by Veterinary Medical Of...