USDA APHIS intends to make a sole source one year IDIQ award to Postive Feed Positive Feed, Inc. for Invermectin-treated molasses. Please see Justification below. 

1.  Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. 

Requesting Agency:

USDA APHIS VS CFTEP

Attn: Purchasing Agent

120 San Francisco Ave, Rm 527

Laredo, Texas 78040

Contracting Activity:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, AAMD

Minneapolis Procurement Branch

250 Marquette Ave., Suite 200

Minneapolis, MN55401

2.  The nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The USDA APHIS VS Cattle  Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP) proposes to enter into a negotiated sole source fixed-price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Positive Feed, Inc., using the simplified procedures for certain commercial items under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 13.5 to procure lvermectin-treated molasses tubs which are used for the prevention and eradication of Cattle Fever Ticks in South Texas

3.  Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Delivery of tubs of molasses used as supplemental protein, vitamin and mineral sources for feeding livestock in field conditions.  Each 130-pound molasses tub shall contain 200mg of Ivermectin per pound that will serve as a mitigation tool to aid in the eradication of Cattle Fever Ticks in South Texas.  The Ivermectin-treated molasses  tubs are for CFTEP use only under the authority of an Investigational New Animal Drug Permit issued to Positive Feed, Inc.

Estimated value of the contract is approximately:  $1,647,360.00

4.  The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. 

The following circumstance justifies the exception to sole source/brand name:

6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements or

41 U.S.C § 1901 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures up to $7.5 million, as authorized by FAR 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a).

5.  Statement demonstrating the unique qualifications of the proposed contractor or the nature of the action requiring the use of the authority. 

The USDA APHIS VS Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP) was developed to eliminate the spread of the cattle fever tick throughout the United States. CFTEP maintains the Permanent Quarantine Zone (PQZ) along the southern Texas border from Del Rio to Brownsville, approximately 500 miles. One of the tools utilized by CFTEP to eliminate fever ticks is lvermectin-medicated molasses tubs. Cattle consume the tubs, which then provides for prevention and eradication of fever ticks within the herd.

A Minimum Use-Major Species Permit was obtained from the FDA for use of this product following a nine-month field study. The tubs are for use only by the CFTEP under the authority of an investigational New Animal Drug Permit issued to Positive Feeds. Positive Feeds is the only company holding an FDA permit to manufacture this product.

6.  Description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.  

Positive Feed, Inc. is the only company holding an FDA permit to manufacture Ivermectin-medicated molasses tubs

7.  Description of the market research conducted and the results or a statement of the reason Market Research was not conducted. 

No market research performed - Positive Feed, Inc. is the only company holding an FDA permit to manufacture Ivermectin-medicated molasses tubs

8.  Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. 

N/A

9.  Listing of the sources, if any, that expressed a written interest in the acquisition. 

Positive Feed, Inc.

10.  Statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition if subsequent acquisitions are anticipated.

Barring FDA expanding permits to manufacture Invermectin-treated molasses, no other agency action available to overcome existing barriers to competition.