FDA-Notice of Intent-1236694

The Food and Drug Administration intends to award a sole source contract for a research and development project to provide environmental samples from unique farms for an Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment (OARSA) Consortium. The award will be made to: University of Vermont, Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety 310 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201-0559 In accordance with FAR 6.302-3 (a)(2)(ii) and FAR 5.203, this solicitation contains circumstances permitting other than full and open competition for developmental and/or research capabilities. To support the FDA’s OARSA’s office for a soil, manure, compost and water consortium, a need exists for a collection of samples from unique small produce farms located in the Northeast Region of the United States. The FDA requires the assistances of the University of Vermont’s agricultural extension (NECAFS), which maintains established relationships with select scientific collaborators consisting of small and medium-sized producers and processors, as well as coordinates scientific research on fresh produce raised by covered farms to develop data and increase the scientific knowledge on the area of produce safety. The University of Vermont’s NECAFS agricultural extension is one of four FDA/USDA funded regional centers tasked with coordinating training, education and outreach related to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and FSMA Preventative Controls for Human Foods Rule. The University of Vermont, through the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS), is uniquely positioned to assist on the coordination and pre-selection of collaborators and existing projects from several of the Land-grant University Extension programs located on this part of the country. NECAFS has established a network of scientists that closely work with farmers that grow covered produce (as defined by the Produce Safety Rule) under high-tunnels conditions unique to the Northeast region of the U.S. As a result of the University of Vermont’s NECAFS’ established relationships with small and medium-sized producers, Land-Grant Universities and select scientists in multiple northeastern states, the FDA will be able to obtain accurate and in-depth knowledge regarding the presence of foodborne pathogens from several participating unique farm locations. This project will maintain and develop the research capabilities related to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. In accordance with FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii), a sole source award shall be made to the University of Vermont to maintain an essential research and development capability to be provided by an educational institution. It is in the best interest of the government to plan an award in the estimated amount of $1,380,555.95 to the University of Vermont. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement within twenty-five (25) days after the publication of this synopsis which shall be considered by the agency. Responses received after 25 days or without the required information may not be considered. For information concerning this proposed acquisition contact: Nikola Zuber Contract Specialist [email protected] (301) 796 - 9671