Contact Points
• Avidity Chlorine Injector Station Model 6574-901
• 53-Gallon Solution Tank
• Pulsa Injection Pump
Characteristics of Parts and Labor:
• Parts supplied are known to resist the corrosive properties of chlorine bleach
• Expertise to ensure 100% compatibility with existing primary and backup systems
• Capability of the parts and installation methods to maintain the strict water quality standards for rodents in life science research
The design and materials of the backup CIS must be fully compatible in form, fit, and function with the existing Avidity Science Indigo RO system installed in 2016 and modified in 2023. This system must ensure an uninterrupted supply of high-quality animal drinking water that meets or exceeds the stringent water quality standards mandated by research protocols and aligns with the animal health and welfare guidelines established by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition, as adhered to by AAALAC during their triennial compliance site visits. Only Avidity Science, LLC can meet these requirements due to their extensive experience, spanning over 50 years, in designing laboratory animal drinking water treatment and distribution systems.
Additionally, the specific materials, processes, and design criteria listed in the specifications above will ensure that the Chlorine Injector System will perform and interface with the existing Avidity Science Indigo RO system to deliver an uninterruptible supply of high-quality animal drinking water that meets or exceeds the water quality standards required by research protocols and ensures animal health and welfare guidelines established by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Edition and followed by AAALAC when performing triennial compliance site visits.
Background Information. The Animal Health Care Section (AHCS) is a component of NINDS, which is tasked with providing veterinary care, management, and oversight responsibilities for two animal facilities on the NIH Bethesda, Maryland Campus. The Porter Neuroscience Research Center (PNRC) facility is in Building 35/35A. In this unique research setting, principal investigators from ten (10) NIH institutes and centers collaborate on neuroscience research.
In the Building 35/35A Shared Animal Facility (35SAF), the AHCS uses an animal drinking water treatment system with a dedicated RO system (manufactured by Avidity Science, LLC; Waterford, WI) that delivers a consistent, bacteria-free animal drinking water supply. The Avidity Indigo RO system produces RO water specifically for the research animals. This system injects a low-level of free chlorine (post-RO processing) which protects the animal drinking water from bacterial growth during 1) water make-up and storage, 2) through the header piping that delivers the water to the bottle filling stations, and 3) in the water bottles that are in use on active animal cages. The 35SAF is, therefore, dependent upon the continuous operation of the Avidity Indigo RO system.
In the event of an emergency or malfunction of the Avidity Indigo RO system, staff may engage the backup animal drinking water source, which is domestic cold water filtered to 0.2 microns through an existing Avidity filter bank. This backup water source is not currently chlorinated, and differences in water chemistry between the primary and backup sources could introduce unexpected variables into research and allow bacterial growth to occur over time.
Objective. This effort will furnish, install, and tie in a 100% compatible CIS for the 35SAF backup animal drinking water source. This system will keep the animal drinking water free of bacterial growth, maximize the similarity of the backup water source to the primary water source, and minimize the introduction any potential scientific variables when the backup source is engaged.
All work shall be completed no later than 12 weeks after the contractor receives the approved submittal drawings.
Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the Statement of Work below.
The Contractor shall furnish, install, and tie in a 100% compatible CIS to the backup animal drinking water filter station bypass water supply loop and commissioning and training for use of the system.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
NIH Main Campus
35 Convent Drive
Room BD-730
Bethesda, MD 20892
PARTS AND PREFABRICATION
• Avidity Chlorine Injector Station Model 6574-901
• 53-Gallon Solution Tank
• Pulsa Injection Pump
• All pipes, fittings, and other hardware necessary to tie the components above into the bypass loop, excepting suspended piping hangers.
INSTALLATION
• The Contractor shall provide the labor and expertise required to install and tie-in the CIS to the bypass loop.
• The Contractor and COR will arrange a date and time for installation in advance after approval of submittal drawings.
SUBMITTAL DRAWINGS
• Before commencing work, the Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) with submittal drawings of the proposed work.
• Work may begin upon approval by the COR.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS
Upon completion of the installation, the COR may request as-built drawings.
LEVEL OF EFFORT
Not applicable.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
• Space. The Government shall provide space for the equipment to be installed in the 35SAF room BD-730.
• Power. The Government shall provide 120 VAC, 50/60 HZ, GFCI power outlet (1 amp minimum) for the system.
• Installation. The Government shall provide access to the install area, power for tools, and heat and light in the work area.
DELIVERY OR DELIVERABLES
1. Submittal drawings
2. As-built drawings (if requested)
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
None.
The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that the personnel assigned have the technical competence and expertise required to complete the activities. Installation personnel must be direct employees of the contractor and must have received and completed all necessary factory authorized training. Installation technicians will have to be cleared at the commercial vehicle inspection station on 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD to gain access to the premises. NIH visitors may reference the NIH Visitor Access Management Initiative (VAMI)
Interested parties may identify in writing their interest and capability in response to this requirement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.
All responses must be received by closing date and must reference the announcement. Responses may be submitted electronically to the attention of the contract specialist. Fax responses will not be accepted.
All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.