This is a Sources-Sought Notice for market research purposes only. Do not send proposals in response to this notice as it does not constitute a solicitation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Acquisition and Asset Management Division (AAMD), Procurement Branch, seeks information from 4D rendering firms interested in the removal, transport, and disposal of TB-infected, or possibly infected cattle, in Texas. APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) routinely conducts tuberculosis testing of dairy cattle whenever an animal from a herd has been found to be exposed to or infected with TB. As the disease may be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa, once an animal has been confirmed positive by VS, the infected animal must be expediently removed from the herd. As such, we seek information from 4D rendering facilities interested in the hauling and/or rendering/disposal of cattle in Texas that have tested positive. Services would include euthanizing, after which VS would collect tissue samples for further diagnostic testing under specific circumstances. Carcasses would then be promptly disposed. These services are required for all ages of cattle. The NAICS code is 311611, Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering. The small business size standard is 500 employees. All interested 4D facilities in Texas are invited to submit a capability statement for acquisition planning purposes only. APHIS contemplates an indefinite-quantity contract with a base period and one option year. Firm-fixed-price task orders would be awarded for each requirement against the contract. Electronic responses are preferred and telephonic requests for information will not be honored. No requests for capability briefings will be honored as a result of this notice. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Responses are due by 3 p.m., Central Standard Time, on December 18, 2015, to the attention of Jim Roloff, Contracting Officer, via e-mail to
[email protected] or by fax to 612-336-3223.