The (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) has a requirement to establish a multiple year contract for the enumeration of recombinant raccoon poxvirus in viral serials and sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPVB) using Vero cell-based bioassay. We are seeking interested sources to determine if there are any small business concerns that are capable of providing these services in accordance with the below statement of work. This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine if there are any small-business concerns capable of performing this requirement prior to issuing a solicitation. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The responses will assist the Government in determining how to solicit this requirement, and if it should be issued as a small business set aside or full and open competition. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the solicitation and ensuing contract is 541380 with a small business size standard of $16.5 million. Contractor shall provide the following services to RCN virus-vectored vaccine (RCN-F1-V307) is the active ingredient in an experimental veterinary biological animal vaccine bait manufactured by the Pocatello Supply Depot. The vaccine used in this bait is an oral sylvatic plague vaccine used to mitigate the occurrence of sylvatic plague outbreaks in prairie dog colonies. The depot needs an independent laboratory to test the titer levels of RCN vaccine serials received from Colorado Serum and SPVB lots produced by the Pocatello Supply Depot. The USDA intends to establish a five year indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract for a contractor to conduct laboratory testing data analysis, final report writing, and quality assurance reviews for up to 420 samples of bait matrix and baits and up to 50 samples of RCN serials per year. Enumeration of recombinant raccoon poxvirus in viral serials and sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPVB) using Vero cell-based bioassay shall be conducted according to a Standard Operating Procedure established by the USDA, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center. Reference the attached SOP entitled Attachment One - SOP: Enumeration Of Recombinant Raccoon Poxvirus In Viral Serials And Sylvatic Plague Vaccine Baits (SPVB) using a Vero cell-based bioassay ). The USDA, Pocatello Supply Depot will provide samples of RCN serials and bait matrix and baits. The United States Geological Survey will provide Vero Cell Lines for propagation. The scope of this contract will include laboratory testing of the test substances, data analysis, final report writing, and quality assurance reviews for the analysis. Testing will be conducted within the contractor’s laboratory facility. Test substances and samples will be disposed of by the contracted lab. Test results will indicate sample lot number, sample weight, date received and date assayed. Test results will be reported in plaque forming units per milliliter (pfu/ml) and tissue culture infective dose50 per millileter (TCID50/ml). A draft test result will be provided for the first sample of vaccine, bait and bait matrix for review and comments by the USDA Pocatello Supply Depot. The contract laboratory will work with the Pocatello Supply Depot’s representative to finalize all test results. Subsequent test results can be submitted in final report format. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide. If you’re an interested small-business concern capable of performing this requirement, concern, please provide the following information: 1) Small business name and point of contact; 2) DUNS number and CAGE code; 3) Evidence of small-business status meeting the definition under FAR 19.1 and meeting the requirements of FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting if the contractor would not perform services at their laboratory or the contractor plans to subcontract the requirement 4). A brief Statement of Capability (no more than three pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the statement of work requirements above. Include any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope, and indicate the degree of work self-performed. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses are due no later than 2:00 p.m ., Central Standard Time, on Thursday, February 5, 2020 , to the attention of Corinne Nygren, Contracting Officer, via e-mail to
[email protected]. Thank you for your consideration.