PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES OR PROPOSALS, NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for information solicited The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Mexican Fruit Fly Rearing Facilities (USDA/APHIS/PPQ/MRFF) located in Edinburg and Harlingen, TX, is conducting a market survey to determine the availability for Food Grade Methyl Paraben to be used primarily in their artificial diet formula for its anti-fungal properties. Methyl paraben is used as a preservative in the larval diet of the Mexican Fruit Fly to inhibit mold and other microbial growth. The artificial diet is prepared and inoculated with Anastepha ludens eggs, held for eight (8) days in environmental controlled rooms conducive for larval development. Methyl paraben is necessary to control the fungal load in the diet of the developing larvae over the course of eight (8) days. There are two additional minor applications for this product for the production of adult diet formula and the fertile colony support. The food Grade Methylparaben powder is used in Mexican Fruit Fly Larval Diets as a preservative. The Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) is a serious pest to various fruits, particularly citrus and mango. Mexican fruit fly was first found in Central Mexico in 1863, and by the early 1950s flies were found along the California-Mexico border. The pest has since been detected in Arizona, California and Texas. A large number of commercially grown crops, including avocado, grapefruit, orange, peach and pear, would be threatened if the Mexican fruit fly becomes more established. See Attachment_1 for Specifications Interested parties who either can supply this product in accordance with the attached specifications domestically, from a country with a current trade agreement or who have already obtained a Federal Trade Waiver for this product are encouraged to complete and return Attachment 1 to the contracting office. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Please email all questions regarding subject item(s) prior to Sources Sought closing date to
[email protected] . This is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals, but instead a market research method to determine interested sources. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No requests for capability briefings will be honored as a result of this notice. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. Please provide SAM ID Number, and point of contact information. The Government will not award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information or samples they provide. Information or materials provided is strictly voluntary. Please Email (ONLY) Attachment 1 to Carol Dingess at
[email protected] . Please be sure to include notice # SS1084477 on subject line. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Closing date for submissions of Statements of Capability is Jan 18, 2023 at 4:00PM MST. Anyone wishing to do business with the USDA must be registered in the government’s System for Award Management Registrar now known as SAM . You may register on line with http://sam.gov A prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from a solicitation. Vendors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM database accessed through http://sam.gov or by calling Central Contractors Registration @ 1-866-606-8220 The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 325199 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing. The Small Business Size Category is 1,250 employees. The USDA buying activity in Minneapolis, MN is committed to participation of small businesses (SB) small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), 8(a) small businesses, woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), veteran owned small businesses (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), and Historically Under-utilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses. The Government intends to provide all information regarding this notice via this web site . The Federal Government is not responsible for notifications to offerors regarding notices, solicitations or amendments. It is the Vendor’s responsibility to check this web site www.SAM.gov periodically for updates. Telephone and email requests will not be accepted