Response to questions submitted by e-mail: The ALAAC/USDA Class A requirement mitigates the risk of awarding a contract to vendors that cannot provide healthy animals that are ready to enroll in studies within 5-7 days of arrival on Plum Island. Animals that come from brokers, and on occasion from some class B vendors, tend to require long acclimation periods and medication for respiratory diseases prior to initiation of studies, all of which cost the government in husbandry and in time delays. Federal Regulations require that requirements under $5.5 million be set-aside for small business concerns. Market research has shown that small business is capable of meeting the stated requirement.

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