replacement of the liquid ring vacuum pump on the ETC autoclave.

Description

Notice of Intent to Sole Source for replacement of the liquid ring vacuum pump on the ETC autoclave.

NIH-SS-7191318

The National Institutes of Health intends to award a Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order to Kinetics Hydro, Inc. 108 E. Orange St., Shippensburg, PA  17257.

In accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1, the Contractor, Kinetics Hydro Industries, is uniquely qualified to perform the required repairs, having demonstrated specialized expertise in high-capacity autoclave systems and a proven track record of service for this specific equipment. Their technicians are factory-certified, experienced in biomedical sterilization systems, and fully compliant with all relevant safety and regulatory requirements. Previous attempts by other providers, including the original equipment manufacturer, failed to resolve the issue, further underscoring the need for a qualified and experienced contractor to restore this critical infrastructure. Additionally, Kinetics Hydro Industries is factory-certified to service and install OEM components, including the liquid ring vacuum pump in question. Their technicians are trained in compliance with industry standards for biomedical sterilization equipment, and they maintain the necessary credentials to operate within sensitive research and laboratory environments. This combination of technical expertise, system familiarity, and regulatory compliance positions them as the most capable and efficient provider for this critical repair.

INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

The primary goal of this project is to restore the ETC autoclave in Building 49 Central Animal Facility to full operational status as quickly as possible. The ETC autoclave is a vital asset for the Building 49 Central Animal Facility, serving as the primary system for sterilizing feed, bedding, and equipment essential to daily operations. Its reliable performance is fundamental to upholding the facility’s stringent standards for animal care, research quality, and regulatory compliance. Extended downtime of this critical autoclave has severely disrupted operations, placing unsustainable pressure on both the remaining bulk autoclave and smaller units, and thereby compromising the efficiency and safety of the entire animal care program.

Previous repair attempts were unsuccessful due to inadequate communication and technical expertise from the former service provider, leaving the autoclave non-operational. Although the manufacturer-initiated repairs, the work remains incomplete. To address this urgent situation, Kinetics Hydro Industries—the facility’s trusted preventative maintenance contractor—has been engaged to complete the necessary repairs. Recent evaluations have determined that the liquid ring vacuum pump is inoperable and requires immediate replacement to restore the autoclave to full functionality.

SCOPE

Kinetics Hydro Industries (the contractor) will provide all labor, materials, and expertise required to replace the liquid ring vacuum pump on the ETC autoclave. The facility will coordinate with the contractor to ensure timely access and support for all repair activities. All work will be scheduled to minimize operational disruptions and will be conducted in close alignment with the facility’s ongoing needs.

OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this project is to restore the ETC autoclave in Building 49 Central Animal Facility to full operational status as quickly as possible. The ongoing outage of this essential equipment has forced smaller autoclaves to operate beyond their designed capacity, accelerating wear and increasing the likelihood of additional equipment failures. According to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and other established guidelines, reliable sterilization is fundamental to maintaining animal health, research integrity, and regulatory compliance.

Timely repair of the bulk autoclave is critical to:

• Restore the facility’s core sterilization capacity, which is necessary for processing feed, bedding, and equipment in accordance with best practices outlined in the Guide for Laboratory Animal Medicine.

• Reduce excessive strain on secondary and smaller autoclaves, thereby preserving their functionality and extending their service life.

• Ensure uninterrupted support for ongoing research and animal care activities, as required by institutional and federal standards.

• Maintain compliance with all applicable health, safety, and regulatory requirements, as emphasized in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and related guidelines.

to achieve these objectives, the contractor will replace the failed liquid ring vacuum pump with an identical Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) component, restoring the autoclave to optimal performance and reliability.

REQUIREMENTS

Kinetics Hydro Industries will supply all necessary parts, tools, and labor to ensure repairs are completed promptly and efficiently. At the conclusion of each workday, technicians must check out with the administrative office before departing. Should additional defective items be identified during the repair process, the contractor will provide a detailed quote for the additional repairs and obtain approval prior to proceeding.

SCHEDULE

The period of performance will begin upon approval of this statement of work and confirmation of the availability of parts and labor from Kinetics Hydro Industries.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes.  However, any party that believes it can perform the required repairs as stated herein may submit a written capability statement that clearly supports and demonstrates their ability to perform the 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 Unique Entity Identification (UEI), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size.  A determination by the Government to compete this proposed award based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

In order to be considered for an award, an offeror must have completed the online electronic Representations and Certifications located at https://www.sam.gov in accordance with FAR 4.1201(a). By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in SAM at https://www.sam.gov/ prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation (Lack of registration in the System for Award Management will make an offeror ineligible for award).  All responsible sources may submit an offer that may be considered by the Agency.

It is anticipated that an award will be issued approximately five (5) days after the date of this notice unless the Government determines that another organization has the capability to meet this requirement.

Please email responses to ryan.alexander@nih.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. EST on Thursday June 26th, 2025.