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Our services

Specialized support for animal research programs.

I-ARCS provides practical services tailored to the structure, size, and unique needs of each research program.

Primary services01IACUC Core Services02Program Assessment and Roadmap03Vivarium Planning and Startup
01
Primary service

IACUC Core Services

I-ARCS provides specialized IACUC support to organizations conducting biomedical, agricultural, and other animal-based research. We bring experienced IACUC professionals together with your institution’s scientists to establish, operate, and maintain an effective IACUC.

Our IACUC Chair, Attending Veterinarians, program administrator, public member, and non-scientist consulting team work collaboratively with your scientists to promote animal welfare and support regulatory compliance.

I-ARCS offers comprehensive IACUC services tailored to the structure, size, and unique needs of each research program.

Comprehensive operations and oversight

Full-scope IACUC support

I-ARCS supports the full scope of IACUC operations, from protocol oversight and committee administration to program evaluations, compliance monitoring, animal welfare oversight, and essential program documentation.

  • Protocol Review and Oversight
  • IACUC Committee Administration
  • Program and Facility Evaluations
  • Compliance and Post-Approval Monitoring
  • Document Management and Program Records
  • Collaborative Communication and Transparency
02
Primary service

Animal Research Program Assessment and Roadmap

Best for

Organizations that are planning to initiate or expand animal research and need to understand the regulatory, operational, facility, staffing, and oversight requirements before moving forward.

What we assess

A clear view of requirements, gaps, and priorities.

I-ARCS evaluates the organization’s proposed research activities and existing resources to identify key requirements, potential gaps, and priorities for establishing an effective animal care and use program.

  • Research Activities and Program Scope
  • Regulatory and Accreditation Requirements
  • IACUC and Institutional Oversight
  • Veterinary Care and Animal Welfare
  • Facilities, Housing, and Procedure Spaces
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Training and Personnel Requirements
  • USDA and PHS Applicability
  • AAALAC Accreditation Considerations
  • Operational and Compliance Gap Assessment
DeliverableCustomized Program Roadmap

Following the assessment, I-ARCS provides a written Animal Research Program Roadmap outlining recommended priorities, implementation considerations, anticipated timelines, and potential support services to help the organization move toward program readiness.

03
Primary service

Vivarium Planning, Development, and Startup Support

Best for

Organizations planning a new vivarium, renovating or expanding an existing animal facility, or preparing a facility for the initiation of animal research operations.

I-ARCS helps organizations plan, develop, renovate, and prepare animal housing and research support facilities for safe, compliant, and effective operation. Our support is tailored to the size and complexity of each project, from small rodent housing and procedure areas to full vivarium development, expansion, renovation, or startup.

We help clients identify and implement the components needed for a fully functional vivarium, including appropriate animal housing and support areas, operational workflows, equipment, environmental controls, sanitation systems, veterinary support, staffing, training, SOPs, emergency planning, occupational health coordination, and regulatory documentation.

Services may include

From facility planning through operational readiness.

  1. 01

    Facility Needs Assessments and Functional Space Planning

  2. 02

    Animal Housing, Procedure, Quarantine, Receiving, Storage, Sanitation, and Support Areas

  3. 03

    Workflow Planning for Personnel, Animals, Equipment, Waste, and Supplies

  4. 04

    Equipment and Cage-System Needs Assessments

  5. 05

    Environmental, Sanitation, and Operational Requirements

  6. 06

    Coordination with Contractors and Equipment Vendors

  7. 07

    SOPs, Staffing Plans, Training Programs, and Emergency Procedures

  8. 08

    Veterinary Care, Biosecurity, and Safety Needs

  9. 09

    Preparation for IACUC Review, Regulatory Inspections, and AAALAC Accreditation

Specialized standalone services

Available independently or added to another I-ARCS package.

A

Controlled-Substance Program Support

Development and assessment of controlled-substance policy, forms and documentation, recordkeeping, disposal procedures, and personnel training.

B

Post-Approval Monitoring

Independent monitoring and assessment of animal research activities to support protocol compliance, animal welfare, recordkeeping, corrective actions, and ongoing program oversight.

C

Training and Education

Customized training for IACUC members, investigators, research personnel, and vivarium staff.

Confidential program consultation

Protecting sensitive information from the first conversation.

I-ARCS understands the importance of protecting sensitive research, institutional, proprietary, and compliance information. When appropriate, we can review and execute a mutually agreed-upon nondisclosure agreement before sensitive materials are shared.

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