Food Grade Methylparaben Powder in accordance with specifications

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine Facility in Edinburg, TX is in need of a Firm Fixed Priced Indefinite Quantity, Indefinite Delivery contract for delivery of food grade Methylparaben Powder in accordance with specifications packed in drums of 25 KGs each or 55.112LBs each. All cost to include but not limit to: overhead, general and administrative, profit, insurance, and transportation. The Period of Performance is not to exceed five years. Federal Acquisition Regulation ( FAR) 52.209-4 First Article Approval-Government Test Samples will be required at no additional cost to the government. Background Food Grade Methylparaben is used primarily in our artificial diet formula for its anti-fungal properties. Methylparaben is used as a preservative in the larval diet of the Mexican Fruit Fly to inhibit mold and other microbial growth. The artificial diet is prepared and inoculated with Anastepha ludens eggs, held for eight (8) days in environmental controlled rooms conducive for larval development. Methyl paraben is necessary to control the fungal load in the diet of the developing larvae over the course of eight (8) days. There are two additional minor applications for this product for the production of adult diet formula and the fertile colony support. The food Grade Methylparaben powder is used in Mexican Fruit Fly Larval Diets as a preservative. The Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) is a serious pest to various fruits, particularly citrus and mango. Mexican fruit fly was first found in Central Mexico in 1863, and by the early 1950s flies were found along the California-Mexico border. The pest has since been detected in Arizona, California and Texas. A large number of commercially grown crops, including avocado, grapefruit, orange, peach and pear, would be threatened if the Mexican fruit fly becomes more established. Product Specifications Appearance-white powder Identification-Infrared Spectrum Comparison Methyl Parahydroxybenzoate CRS, thin-layer chromatographic, passed Assay (on dry base) % - 99.0-100.5 Melting Point 0C – 125-128 Residue on Ignition % - < 0.05 Lead (Pb) ppm - < 2 Color of Solution – Passed Acidity – Passed Loss of Drying % - 0.5 Related Substances – 0.5 Organic Volatile Impurities – Passed Microbiological Data Total plate count - < 100 cfu/g Yeast and Mold - < 50 cfu/g E. coli – Negative Allergen statement: Does not contain any allergens: fish, egg, milk, crustacean, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybean, or sulfite. TSE/BSE Statement: Free from TSE/BSE. No material of any animal origin is used within the production of this product. Melamine Certification: The product is melamine free. The product must be identified at the minimum with the batch number, manufacturing and expiration date, net weight on the shipping containers. Requirements This requirement is being issued as a Small Business Set set-aside in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-6. In accordance with Agricultural Acquisition Regulation ( AGAR )452.219-70 Size Standard and NAICS Code Information. The North American Industrial Classification System Code(s) and business size standard(s) describing the products and/or services to be acquired under this solicitation is listed below: NAICS 325199 - All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Size Standard 1,250 Employees The solicitation will be for commercial services written in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 12.3 Commercial Acquisitions and Evaluation will be in accordance with Federal Acquisition ( FAR) 13.106-1 (2) and FAR 13.106-2 (b)(3) Solicitation Information The Government intends to provide the full package for solicitation number 12639524Q0237 and all amendments via this web site. The Federal Government is not responsible for notifications to interested parties regarding the issuance of the solicitation nor any of its amendments. It is the responsibility of interested parties to check this website periodically for updates. Telephone and email requests will not be accepted The USDA buying activity in Minneapolis, MN is committed to participation of Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Veteran Owned Businesses, Hubzones Ability One and Women-Owned Small Business in the performance of work under this solicitation and resultant contract. Anyone interested in doing business with the USDA must also first be listed in the government’s System for Award Management known as SAM.gov. You may register on line with www.SAM.gov. A prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from a formal solicitation. Interested persons may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM database accessed through http://sam.gov or by calling 1-866-606-8220 ***REGISTRATION IS FREE***