Description
Solicitation document is posted below. Any changes will be posted. Updated Date Offers Due: Jun 03, 2022 03:00 pm CDT QUESTIONS/ANSWERS (05/23/2022) The Government received questions pertaining to the solicitation requirements, answers are marked in bold below: Q1. In the “Notes to Quoters” under 5 (d) it says that the bidder must submit a “ …Company’s Capability Statement which shows at least 3 years of experience in making this product (See Provision 52.212-2 at the end of this document for complete information). ” Can you please clarify whether you are only looking for companies that have 3 years’ experience making specifically 4g TML plugs (i.e. not 2 gram or 3 gram but specifically 4 gram TML plugs). A1. The vendor must demonstrate ability to make the 4 gram TML plugs. Other load rates are not considered the same final product. Q2 . Under Section 2.1.1 it indicates that a Trimedlure Dispenser must have a “ 4 gram or greater load rate. ” However, under section 2.4.1.h.1 the initial content of trimedlure is specified as “4.0 +/- 0.4 grams”. Does this mean that an average loading of 3.6 grams would meet the specification (i.e. 4.0 – 0.4 grams)? Or is it that the average must be 4.0 grams but individual plugs could range between 3.6 and 4.4 grams? A2. Average plugs weight must be 4 grams for any 5 plugs and individuals may vary. Q3 . Under Section 2.4.1.a it specifies that the TML plug must “ Consist of a solid matrix that facilitates handling and… shall be non-sticky and non-friable (i.e., not stick to the hand or crumble) when a deliberate effort is made by hand (i.e., unaided by mechanical devices) to compress and deform it .” Can you please clarify if it is the case that the requirement is the lure be non-friable when a “deliberate effort, as part of the normal use of the product , is made by hand…”? Or is the requirement of USDA that the lure be non-friable during ANY deliberate effort, even if the amount of effort used would not reasonably occur as part of the normal use of the product ,…”? A3. This question is answered in the use of “Facilitate Handling” which we are trying to define normal use would be implied here. If needed the vendor can insert “Facilitate Normal Handling” to be defined as stated. USDA would not try to deliberately break the product nor would USDA fail a product because of improper use. Q4 . Under Section 2.4.1.h.3 it states that a “Minimum of 45% remainder (maximum 55% dissipation) of trimedlure (by mass) after 4 weeks of weathering in the field…”. Can you please clarify: Where is/are the field(s)? ARS Subtropical Horticultural Station in Miami, FL Does the lure remain in the same field for the duration of the 4 weeks? Yes What are the typical weather conditions? Depends on the year and time of year, generally hot and humid If the weather conditions during the test are unusual or significantly different from the typical weather conditions (a massive 4 week heat wave), are the tests redone? If so, please specify what would constitute “unusual” and/or “significantly different”. The value indicated is purposely conservative. As long as the polymer matrix of the lure is suitable, the criterion should be met under even the harshest of conditions. These lures need to trap flies even in the event of a 4 week heat wave because the program will not rebait traps more frequently. If we perceive that something went wrong during testing, we may choose to rerun trials. Results are intended to ensure that lures will last for an entire rebaiting cycle, so any passage or failure of lure lots will take this into account. Is the lure weathered inside a Jackson Trap? Yes Q5 . Under Section 2.5 under Quality Assurance, can you please clarify: What is the specific “time period” the lures are required to catch 50% of the fresh wick? Lures should trap at least 50% of the flies trapped by fresh liquid at the time point that represents the end of the rebaiting cycle. In the case of 4g TML plugs, 8 weeks. How many grams of TML is placed on the “control” wick? 4g Where do the tests occur? Hawaii Are wild or sterile flies used? Depending on the time of year and urgency of the testing, whichever is available. Are the lures weathered in a Jackson Trap? Yes If the weather conditions during the test are unusual or significantly different from the typical weather conditions, are the tests redone? If so, what constitutes “unusual” or “significantly different”? This is irrelevant because lures are compared with a control that is experiencing the same environmental conditions. When will the testing protocols be available? They are available upon request with the approval of USDA to share. Will the testing protocols remain the same throughout the term of the contract? Yes, unless protocol improvements are identified. Any changes will be communicated to vendors. If not i. Can the specific “time period” the lures are required to catch 50% of the fresh wick change? I do not understand the question. ii. Can the requirement of the 50% catch change (i.e. 60%, 70%, 100%)? No. iii. Can the amount of TML placed on the control wick change? No. iv. What other parts of the protocol can change during the term of the contract? Unsure. v. Can the vender request a waiver from this requirement if the protocol changes dramatically? As stated in the document, APHIS “will work with vendors to ensure the details of tests and expected results are understood at the vendors request.” *Please note that the purpose of lab and field quality assurance testing is to ensure that lures adequately attract flies. APHIS regularly makes accommodations to accept lures for program use and purposely allows flexibility in testing procedures to accommodate vendors.