P-Line Water Bottle Automation: HMI Touch Screen Controller and Installation

Requirements:

AHCS uses a Tecniplast P-Line water bottle automation machine to process the bulk water bottles required to provide the rodents with clean and bacteria-free water. Installed in 2024, AHCS has recognized some difficulties manipulating the water bottle recapper and refiller from the clean side of cagewash, since the main controller is located on the dirty side. Installing this second controller on the clean side of cagewash will allow for efficient management and troubleshooting of the device, minimizing downtime, wasted staff time and PPE, and maximizing return on investment of the machine.

Period of performance shall be 3.5 months from date of award. This is currently estimated to occur from July 1, 2026, through October 15, 2026.

Specific Requirements:

The Contractor shall furnish, deliver, install, configure, test, and make fully operational, one (1) Human Machine Interface (HMI) touchscreen controller for the existing Tecniplast P-Line water bottle automation machine located in the Building 35/35A vivarium clean side cagewash area.

The clean-side HMI shall be compatible with the existing Tecniplast P-Line system and shall replicate the operational functions available from the existing dirty-side HMI controller except where safety or operational logic requires a difference in functionality. The clean-side HMI shall allow cagewash staff to monitor, control, manage, and troubleshoot the P-Line bottle automation machine from the clean side of the cagewash operation without requiring routine movement to the dirty side solely to access the existing controller.

At a minimum, the Contractor shall perform the following work:

Equipment and Materials

· Provide and install one (1) Tecniplast-compatible clean-side HMI touchscreen controller for the existing P-Line unit, identified in the vendor quotation as P-Line Clean Side Touch Screen, P/N U000003552.

· Provide all required manufacturer-approved components, mounting hardware, cabling, connectors, interface modules, software, firmware, licenses, and ancillary materials necessary for complete installation and operation.

· Ensure all furnished components are new, manufacturer-approved, and compatible with the existing P-Line machine configuration.

Delivery and Site Coordination

· Deliver or have delivered the HMI controller and associated installation materials to the NIH Main Campus, Building 35/35A vivarium cagewash area.

· Coordinate installation scheduling with the COR or designee to minimize disruption to cagewash operations and animal facility support activities.

· Perform work only during Government-approved dates and times and in accordance with facility access, safety, and biosecurity requirements.

· Freight and delivery fees shall be included in the Contractor’s quoted price and shall not be separately reimbursed.

Install the clean-side HMI touchscreen at a government-approved location attached to the P-Line bottle automation machine.

· Mount the HMI securely in a location that supports safe operator access, visibility, and routine use without obstructing cagewash operations, equipment access, traffic flow, emergency access, or maintenance clearances.

· Route, secure, and protect all wiring, cabling, and connections in a neat and professional manner.

· Connect the clean-side HMI to the existing P-Line control system so that it communicates properly with the machine and performs the intended control and monitoring functions.

· Ensure the installation does not degrade, disable, bypass, or otherwise adversely affect the existing dirty-side HMI controller or any existing safety, alarm, interlock, or emergency-stop functions.