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 Missouri University of Science and Technology (MU S&T) based in Rolls, Missouri on behalf of the Open Field Blast Based Core (OFBC) at the Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri. The requirement is to provide open field blast support for planned VA medical studies. These services include: 1) open field blast exposure, 2) neurobehavioral assessment, 3) neuroimaging assessment, and 4) ocular assessment. To support the open field blast exposure component of the OFBC, the Truman VA utilizes the facilities, equipment, and specially trained technical staff of MU S&T. The services include: Scope and Methodology The scope of this agreement shall include all aspects of the blast performance (facilities, personnel, oversight/regulatory bodies, etc). Tasks and Associated Deliverables Facility and equipment maintenance Personnel training and management Compliance with applicable (local, state, & federal) oversight bodies related to explosives, animal use and safety, controlled substances, and personnel safety. Animal care Data acquisition and transfer Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverables Facility and equipment maintenance Monthly readiness tasks/supplies related to facilities and equipment. Monthly and use related tasks/supplies related to the Truman VA vivarium. Calibrations of equipment used during the conduct of OFBC work. Personnel training and management Personnel shall follow all applicable requirements (trainings, personal conduct, safety, animal handling and use) as directed to comply with applicable oversight bodies. Compliance with applicable (local, state, & federal) oversight bodies related to explosives, animal use and safety, controlled substances, and personnel safety. Truman VA oversight bodies will inspect the Truman VA vivarium and the MU S&T blast pad to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory bodies. Controlled substances (ketamine) will be maintained in compliance with Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Missouri Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD) guidelines. Ketamine usage as an anesthetic agent will be used in accordance with the approved Truman VA animal use protocol and the Truman VA veterinary medical officer. Animal Care Animal care and housing will be performed by trained MU S&T staff within the Truman VA vivarium using VA owned ventilated caging systems (reusable cages, water bottles, etc). Animal receipt, animal monitoring, and animal shipment will be performed according to the approved Truman VA OFBC animal protocol. Animal handling prior to, during, and after blast exposures will be performed by approved MU S&T personnel in compliance with the approved Truman VA OFBC animal protocol. Data acquisition and transfer All data acquired using MU S&T instrumentation will be downloaded and transferred to the VA network system in compliance with all applicable security requirements. All records generated within the Truman VA vivarium will be transferred to the Truman VA for study and archival purposes. Reporting Requirements The vendor will invoice the Truman VA OFBC on a monthly basis for all approved tasks (maintenance and client related) being conducted in support of the Truman VA OFBC mission. All data and records collected as a component of the Truman VA OFBC work will be transferred to the Truman VA OFBC. The requirement will take place at a VA facility in Columbia, Missouri. 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 Monday, May 8, 2023, (10:00 AM, EST). Interest/capability statements may be sent to Michael Haydo at Michael.haydo@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

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