CAGE and RACK WASHER - CINCINNATI

Background
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking to procure a Cage Rack Washer Sterilizer to maintain VHA Office of Research Oversight (ORO) and American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accreditations. This need arises due to repeated mechanical deficiencies in the equipment at the Cincinnati VA Veterinarian Medical Unit, which could jeopardize the safety of laboratory animals. The contractor is expected to provide all necessary resources for this procurement.

Work Details
The contractor shall procure and deliver 1 Cage Rack Washer that requires no building modifications. The unit must meet the following specifications:
- Life Science suitable equipment
- Suitable for BioSafety Level II
- Oscillating spray jets with various modes for sterilizing swine, rats, mice, and hamster cages and racks
- Capability to sterilize trash and mop bins
- Double door design
- Pit mounted to fit in the current pit
- Chamber size: no less than 46" W x 85" H x 85-122" D
- Exterior dimensions: must not exceed 84" W x 94" H x 100-130" D
- Separate entrance and exit for clean and soiled sides
- Steam heated with temperature range of at least 120F-200F
- Various programmable cycles available
- Noise level below 70 decibels without requiring ear protection
- Voltage requirements: 208V
- High visible touch screen display, emergency exit release, see-through glass, automatic drain valve, water discharge control with pH control. The contractor must provide a two-year warranty and service within 48 hours of complaint.

Place of Performance
Delivery will be made to the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, 3200 Vine Street, Building 14, Cincinnati OH 45220, Research Dock.

Bidder Requirements
This solicitation is set aside for Small Business - Total (SBA). Bidders must ensure they are authorized distributors or OEMs for the Cage Rack Washer being proposed. All contractor personnel must adhere to Veterinarian Medical Unit protocols during installation.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed closely related prior contract for the same type of equipment, with Lynx Product Group awarded contract 36C25223P0394 for a “CAGE RACK WASHER” valued at $299,143 (03/07/23–10/03/23). The current requirement is also for procurement and delivery of a cage rack washer sterilizer to the Cincinnati VA Medical Center’s veterinarian medical unit/research dock, and it is framed as maintaining AAALAC/VHA ORO accreditation due to mechanical deficiencies. The overlap in equipment type and the Cincinnati VA location suggests this procurement may be a continuation or replacement of the previously supplied cage rack washer.