The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) is seeking capability statements from all firms interested in a proposed project to provide a continuous supply of corn cob grounds. Work involves continuous supply and delivery of corn cob grounds, 80 mesh or finer, moisture not to exceed 10%. The product must meet IAE/FAO Quality control standards for massed reared insects (http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/ipc/public/QualityControl.pdf). The corn cob grounds will be utilized by the USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Mexican Fruit Fly Rearing Facility. A five pound sample shall be sent before every load is delivered and tested by the Government for microbial contaminants and pesticides/chemical residues that will adversely affect fruit fly production. Estimated Quantity: 840 bags per shipment (50 pound bags), delivered to Edinburg, TX every 5 to 6 weeks. The anticipated period of performance is 3 years (base year and two option years). All interested parties are invited to submit capability statements for acquisition planning purposes. The following outline is recommended (5-page limit): 1) Company name, address, and primary point of contact information 2) A statement of capability, including ability to meet IAE/FAO standards 3) Recent and relevant past performance information 4) Business Ownership and Self‐Certification information (i.e. Small Business, Women‐Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned) 5) Current Government Certifications (i.e. 8(a) certified, 8(a) joint venture, Small Disadvantaged Business HUBZone Certified) 6) List Pertinent Codes: NAICS Codes (numbers only), DUNS number, and CAGE code The appropriate NAICS code for the proposed project is 311119, Other Animal Food Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 500 employees. The USDA reserves the right to determine if a small business set-aside is appropriate based upon the capability information provided in response to this notice, and other pertinent information gathered by the contracting officer. Respondents should ensure the information provided is detailed, current, accurate, and complete. Please submit capability statements by email to Lisa Draves at
[email protected] no later than April 12, 2017. This notice does not constitute a solicitation. This invitation for capability statements is for planning purposes only. The acquisition strategy for this proposed project has not yet been determined. Response to this notice is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse any party for its participation in this effort. Information submitted in response to this notice is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge or provide feedback with respect to any information submitted under this notice.