Containerized BSL-2 Laboratory

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) 1232SA25Q0340 from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) seeks a Standalone Mobile Laboratory, specifically a Containerized Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) Laboratory. This is an unrestricted, full and open competition, with no set-aside for small businesses. The applicable NAICS code is 334516. Offers must be submitted electronically to kelly.wright@usda.gov by September 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m. CT. Required submission documents include a transmittal summary, a completed and signed SF 18, a detailed pricing document, a proposed production schedule, a technical approach, documented experience with similar projects, and an acknowledgment of the evaluation method. Evaluation factors include price, technical approach, delivery, and past performance, with a best value determination using a comparative tradeoff analysis. Offerors must be registered with SAM.gov and ensure their representations and certifications are current.

The procurement request is for a containerized BSL-2 lab for the Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research Unit in Hilo, HI, to serve as an insect quarantine unit. This unit will replicate a previously purchased plant quarantine unit to ensure consistency, simplify maintenance, and reduce costs. The lab must meet or exceed USDA APHIS PPQ Containment Guidelines for phytophagous arthropods, include design, fabrication, freight to Hawaii, and full site installation. Key specifications include a 40-foot high-cube shipping container, sealed access points, controlled ventilation, and integration-ready space for insect growth chambers. Interior finishes will be suitable for vector handling and entomological diagnostics, featuring seamless walls, polyurethane flooring, and Type 304 Stainless Steel casework. Mechanical systems include an HVAC for temperature, humidity, and inward airflow. Electrical systems require connections for utility power and auxiliary generators, configured for Hawaii's electrical requirements (400V, 50Hz, 3Ph shore power). Plumbing will include a stainless steel sink with an emergency eyewash, a 2.4 kW water heater, and copper/CPVC lines. The lab will have 12 data ports, a telephone port, intercom, fire/burglar system, BMS, and an 8-camera CCTV system with 30-day recording. Testing and quality control will involve vetting under real-world conditions, pre-installation consultation, on-site assistance, training, and post-installation Q&A. Documentation will include as-built drawings and a factory acceptance test summary. The lab layout includes a positive-pressure main entry with lockers, an anteroom for PPE and an air break, and a BSL-2 laboratory with HEPA filtration, a top-loading autoclave, custom stainless steel casework, an integrated refrigerator/freezer, space for insect rearing chambers, two Class II Type A Biosafety Cabinets, and a stainless steel handwashing sink.