This is special notice, The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends made an award on a sole source basis to the University of Missouri (UMO) for 22 Holstein cows, in late pregnancy. Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) as contemplated by FAR 6.302-1 (a), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

Unique Qualifications/Nature of Acquisition: The purchase of cows from the University of Missouri (UMO) dairy farm is a sole source for the following reasons:
1. UMO Holstein cows are of a defined genetic background that the UMO farm staff have experience with and have prescreened for lack of contagious disease including S. aureus mastitis over a period of several months/years prior to enrollment in the trial. There is also a milking history on each cow throughout the pregnancy, which is essential to these studies. It would be impossible to be certain of these factors from any other source with the level of confidence we have in the UMO herd. No other cows would be as appropriate for this study as these cattle.

2. There are only 22 cattle in this study due to funding limitations. 11 treated 11 controls. 22 cows is also the minimum number required for statistical significance of the study. For statistical significance, factors such as month of year, age, milking history, pathogen-free status, feed additives, etc. can all affect the outcome. There is no room in this study for even one cow to not meet the strict requirements that we know are consistent with the UMO animals in order for the study to achieve statistical significance.

3. If a cow should fall out of the study for any number of reasons (gets infected with the wrong pathogen, dries-off early, etc.), we would need to replace the cow quickly, so that all animals are treated within the same few months of the year. It is thus essential that we use a source of cattle that would not require a lengthy quarantine if we needed to replace one. Thus, the UMO herd is the only appropriate prudent source to avoid losing the entire study.

4. UMO cows' infection history is well documented, which we can rely on.

5. The UMO cattle have been monitored to ensure they are pathogen free.

6. There is a need to coordinate the production of the antimicrobial protein for injection with the purchase of the cattle. The production of the protein has been a year long process that is now culminating in the final stages this month. There was no way to predict when the protein production would be completed as the isolation and purification of 12 grams of recombinant protein is an empirical process. There is no time to now perform the lengthy quarantine required to ensure the cows are infection free, as the protein is ready and there is no guarantee the protein will maintain its activity in storage as would be necessary, if we were to initiate a lengthy quarantine period.

7.Purchasing the cattle from UMO avoids the costly shipping charges and avoids concerns related to the animal welfare act. It is an unusually high risk to ship cattle in the late stages of pregnancy.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Potential sources who believe they can provide the services listed above are invited to submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government.

Award date is August 31, 2012

Bid Protests Not Available