The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is conducting a market survey to identify the availability and interest of qualified Small, Small Disadvantaged, Small Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Historically Underutilized Business Zones, and large businesses as potential sources to conduct nutrient analysis of foods. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541380, Testing Laboratories. The Small Business Size Standard is $15 million. The following information is provided to assist the ARS in conducting Market Research to identify potential contractors for this effort:

The government is seeking capability statements from businesses capable of performing nutrient analysis per the attached nutrient list. The laboratory shall use Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC International) 20th ed. or other methods which have been validated for use in the facility.

Place of Performance:
Work shall be performed at the contractor's laboratory facilities.

Respondents shall furnish sufficient technical information necessary for the Government to conclusively determine that they are capable of meeting the technical requirements identified above. Firms believing they can meet the requirements are encouraged to respond electronically with no less than the following information:

• Business name, DUNS number, business address, business website, business size status (i.e., SB, VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone SB, SDB, WOSB, LB), point of contact name, mailing address (if different from business address), phone number and email address;
• Sufficient descriptive literature that unequivocally demonstrates that offered services will meet or exceed above specifications;
• Descriptive material necessary for the government to determine whether the service offered meets the technical requirements;
• If a large business, provide if subcontracting opportunities exist for small business concerns;
• Though this is not a request for quote, informational pricing is encouraged.

The government is not responsible for locating or securing any information, not identified in the response.

Interested Parties must respond with capability statements no later than 11:00 AM Central Daylight Time on Friday, June 3, 2016.

All questions or responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be sent to Josh Dobereiner via email ([email protected]). All communication shall be in writing. No information will be taken by telephone.

Notice of Intent:
Responses to this sources sought announcement will assist the Government in determining whether or not any future requirement similar to this one should be set aside for small business, made available to full and open competition or procure through sole-source acquisition procedures.

Disclaimer and Important Notes:
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published on FedBizOpps. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality:
No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).