Sources Sought: Placebo Gummy Containing Rhodamine B

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Wildlife Research Center is seeking capability statements from all firms interested in developing and supplying a placebo gummy containing rhodamine B. Requirements: • The gummy-type insert is required to deliver a biomarker (rhodamine B) using an existing bait delivery system. • The gummy must not be too sticky. Marshmellow cream has been used previously. The Government found that the thermal expansion and contraction of marshmallow with daily temperature fluctuations resulted in marshmallow leaking from around the wax seals, binding the bait within the pipe magazine. • The gummy must fit into the existing fishmeal polymeric bait block and preferably have the capacity to be sealed within the bait block with paraffin wax. • Gummy must be highly palatable so that a raccoon that began consuming the fishmeal block would likely continue consuming the gummy center carrying the rhodamine B biomarker. • The dimensions are 15 g, 33 mm × 32 mm × 21 mm. • The Government will provide the fishmeal blocks that the gummy must fit into. • The bait must contain 150 mg of rhodamine B. • The assembled baits must work in an existing bait delivery tube used for ORV raccoon control. • Verification of the suitability of the bait for the delivery tube will be made by NWRC before the final baits are accepted. • A minimum of 50 test baits are required for preliminary evaluation within 30 days following contract award. Test baits will be evaluated by the Government within two business days of receipt of the test baits. • If the preliminary baits meet all requirements, a total of 2,500 baits are required within 60 days following contract award. The appropriate NAICS code for the proposed project is 325412 with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees. 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) Recent and relevant past performance information 3) Business Ownership and Self‐Certification information (i.e. Small Business, Women‐Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned) 4) Current Government Certifications (i.e. 8(a) certified, 8(a) joint venture, Small Disadvantaged Business HUBZone Certified) 5) List Pertinent Codes: NAICS Codes (numbers only), DUNS number, and CAGE code 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 February 7, 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.