The USDA APHIS VS intends to acquire the services of two or more laboratories to perform genetic testing of the encoded amino acid at codons 136 and 171 in sheep and codons 146 and 222 for goats within the gene controlling the structure of the prion protein. Codon 171 appears to be the principal determinant of scrapie resistance for U.S. sheep genotypes and scrapie strains. Most of the genotype testing is expected to involve this codon.

Prior to consideration for the provision of these contract services, each candidate laboratory must comply with the regulations and policies set forth in 9 CFR 54.11 and USDA APHIS VS Memorandum 557.6 which outline the steps needed for laboratory approval to conduct these official genotype tests. The information in this memorandum is presented as an attachment noted in Section J. Laboratories that are currently approved by APHIS to conduct official genotyping for scrapie resistance for sheep do not need to re-submit the entire application package if only testing sheep. In such cases, those laboratories need to indicate their desire to continue as approved laboratories, submit any information related to Section C.4 in this document, and complete and submit their respective pricing matrices. If offering to genotype goats the application for approval to test goats for scrapie susceptibility must be submitted prior to award and the approval process successfully completed prior to task orders being issued for goat genotyping. We currently expect the goat check test panel as described in C.4 to be available from the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, to laboratories seeking approval in December 2018.

We are seeking interested sources from small business concerns that have the capability of providing the needs assessment services. The estimated magnitude of this project is under $100,000.00. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541380 with a small business size standard of $15M.

This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine interested small business concerns prior to issuing a solicitation. A determination by the Government on the method to compete this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide.

If you are an interested small-business concern, please provide the following information:
1) Small business name, point of contact and phone number;
2) DUNS number and CAGE code;
3) Evidence of small business concern status; and
4). A brief Statement of Capability (no more than three pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above. Include any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope, and indicate the degree of work self-performed. Also include past performance references with names and phone numbers.

Electronic responses are preferred. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses are due no later than 2 p.m., Central Standard Time, on Monday, June 18, 2018, via e-mail to [email protected]. Phone calls are not accepted.

 

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