The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) needs contact bedding for primary enclosures used to house animal species (mostly rodents) at the research vivarium facilities. The bedding allows absorption of urine and feces to facilitate cleaning and sanitation. This bedding will:
- Provide substrate for resting and sleeping;
- Absorb moisture, minimize the growth of microorganisms, and dilute and limit animals’ contact with excreta, and reduce the accumulation of intracage ammonia;
- Enhance animal well-being by providing animals with sensory and motor stimulation, and providing opportunities for species-specific behavior such as foraging, digging and burrowing; and
- Facilitate in-animal thermoregulation.
See attached sources sought notice.
