The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) intends to solicit and negotiate a noncompetitive commercial service contract with Merrick and Company for continuing transition support services for transfer of the biorepository from Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) located in Plum Island, NY to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) located in Manhattan, KS . USDA contemplates a firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for a period of 5 years.  Please see attached justification for other than full and open competition.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive poposals. However, all responsible sources may submit capability information which shall be considered by the agency. Responses must be submitted by email to Charmion Harris at [email protected] no later than 5pm CT on March 31, 2024. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

The scope of work will not be posted with this intent due to the sensitve nature of this requirement.  The overall scope includes providing management and technical support for scientific services in support of the transfer of biological materials, diagnostic samples, and research specimens from the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) located in Plum Island, NY to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) located in Manhattan, KS.

This contract will ensure transition of the Biorepository from PIADC to NBAF through continuance of necessary project management support and scientific and technical writing support, including data analysis, evaluation, testing and cataloging of inventory, evaluation of viability or redundancy of material, temperature testing, characterization, destruction of biological materials, preparation of biological materials for movement, and decontamination of equipment. Other requirements involve updating specific standardized laboratory operating procedures covering aspects of the preparation and transfer of agents from PIADC to NBAF, and services supporting the Government’s management and implementation of the biorepository transfer plan.

Contractor personnel performing services at PIADC must successfully obtained an adjudicated Tier 4 suitability. An adjudicated Tier 4 Public Trust High Risk suitability and an adjudicated security risk assessment (SRA) are required for access to both the electronic and physical select agent biorepository.