This is a sources sought notice as a means of conducting market research. The USDA APHIS is seeking all interested sources capable of providing bio-assayed toasted soy flour with 50% protein in support of Mexican Fruitfly Facility located in Edinburg, Texas. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 311211 flour milling. The size standard for this code is 1000 employees for determination of small business status. Product Service Code is 8920 Bakery and Cereal Products including prepared flour. The specifications for the product are as follows; 1.1 Project Background The Mexican Fruit Fly (MexFly) Rearing Facility for the last 28 years has been rearing fruit flies in the Rio Grande Valley. The current production of pupae is currently set at 150 million pupae per week. Toasted Soy is used as a vital source of nutrients in the diet for the larval development of the Mexican Fruit Fly. Currently there is no other product evaluated as effective as the Toasted Soy. Several years ago a study was conducted by the Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) scientists to produce a diet formula that improved the quality of the Mexican Fruit Flies reared at Moore Air Base for Sterile Insect Release. 1.2 Requirements The purpose of this project is to procure Toasted Soy product. The government anticipates a firm fixed price Purchase Order that includes all costs necessary to supply and deliver the product FOB destination the following address: USDA APHIS PPQ MFFRF, 22675 N. Moorefield Road, Bldg. 6418, Edinburg, TX 78541 The work to be performed under this contract consists of furnishing all materials, equipment, supplies, labor and transportation as required in accordance with these specifications. All work materials and services not expressly called for in these specifications but are necessary for completion of the contract requirements shall be performed and furnished by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government. 1.3 Product Specifications. The following specifications are required, substitutions will not be accepted: The specification percentages are per 25 kilogram bag. Substitution of specifications as stated below are not allowed. Must be 100% soy product, i.e. no additives Have a protein content of not less than 50% Maximum fat content 3.0% Minimum fiber content 3.3% Maximum fiber content 18% Maximum ash content 6.0% Standard Plate Count, 50,000 max. Coliform <5/gram Molds & Yeast <100/gram Must be 20 PDI (toasted) 1.4 Quantity Product shall be delivered on 7/19/22, 11/8/22, and 2/22/23 however the contractor shall allow flexibility plus or minus 2 weeks due to unpredictable temporary changes at the facility. Each shipment shall consist of 750 (25kg) bags per delivery. 1.5 Bioassay and Quality Testing. Prior to each delivery, the contractor shall supply a 1-pound sample bag of the Toasted Soy for testing by the Government. The sample shall be received three weeks prior to each delivery. The sample will be tested for compliance with Product Specifications (Section 1.3). Samples will be evaluated by the Government within 5 working days from the date received. 1.6 Packaging and Delivery The product shall be packaged in multi-walled paper bags with plastic liners. Product shall be packaged in 25 KG paper bags. Each shipment shall be palletized and shrink wrapped on the pallet. The shrink wrapped pallets shall have not more than 50 bags per pallet for a total of 750 bags per shipment. 1.7 Warranty The contractor shall provide the Government at least the same warranty terms offered to the general public in customary commercial practice. At minimum, the contractor shall guarantee product quality for full compliance with contract specifications, terms and conditions for 60 days from the date of delivery, inspection, and acceptance. The USDA reserves the right to preform follow up testing for the above contaminants on any shipment received for at least 60 days from the date of delivery, inspection, and acceptance and can return the shipment to the vendor for credit if found contaminated. In the event the shipment is rejected, it is the contractor’s responsibility to replace the product in a timely manner in accordance with contract clause 52.212-4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is no solicitation at this time. This is only a sources sought for market research purposes; responses will be used to determine whether this requirement may be set-aside for small business or procured through full and open competition. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for quote; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. If you are an interested vendor, please provide the following information: 1) Business name and contact information 2) Business Size and confirmation of registration in SAM.gov by providing your SAM UEI Code 3) Capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of meeting specifications of the bio assayed toasted soy flour Electronic responses are required. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Interested parties who provide this product in accordance with the specifications provided are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice no later than Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at 3pm CT. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to Samantha Johnson at,
[email protected].