The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care (AC) program has a requirement for specialized equine blood testing services. The contractor shall perform laboratory analysis on equine (horse) blood samples for ALL substances. The analysis shall include qualitative and quantitative results of all substances. Common groups of foreign substances include but not limited to: Stimulants, Depressants, Tranquilizers, Local Anesthetics, Psychotropic Drugs, Corticosteroids, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Anabolic Steroids. The contractor shall supply the following: All materials, supplies, and equipment for the collection and shipment of equine blood samples: Blood sampling materials, also referred to as blood sampling kit: Vacutainer needles, vacutainer hubs, blood tubes, blood tube caps, sealing tape, “A” sample evidence bags, “B” sample evidence bags, sample identification cards which include sample tags, cooler, ice packs, and chain of custody log sheet. Shipping materials to ensure efficacy of blood samples: Return shipping label, shipping box, all labels, and cooler sealing ties to inhibit tampering. Each order placed will specify the number of samples to be collected. The number of samples taken will be conducive to the size of shipping container needed. The contractor must be able to ship the materials to any location nationwide. The materials will be shipped to the Animal Care testing Veterinarians located throughout the nation. The contractor will pay for shipping of test sampling kits to the USDA personnel, and the shipment back to their laboratory. In the event the contractor provides an incomplete or inadequate blood testing kit they will be responsible for providing a replacement kit to the testing veterinarian within 24 hours. Provide the USDA, AC with a detailed analysis report that identifies and quantifies all substances in the blood sample within 5 business days Provide the USDA, AC with a chain of custody form/information Blood samples must be analyzed at an ISO accredited laboratory Provide subject matter experts for litigation testimony when requested This sources sought notice is being publicized to determine if there are any small businesses with the capability of providing the equine blood testing services in accordance with the requirement outlined above. Small businesses shall be aware they must comply with the FAR 52.219-14- Limitations on Subcontracting. Part 52 - Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses | Acquisition.GOV The USDA intends to establish a multiple year contract with an estimated contract ceiling of $275,000 - $300,000.00. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541940 with a small business size standard of $9 million. This is not a request for quotes , but market research to determine if there are any small businesses capable of providing the equine blood testing services prior to issuing a solicitation. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. 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 are an interested vendor, please provide the following information: Business name and point of contact UEI number Business size A brief Statement of Capability (no more than two pages) which demonstrates the ability to provide the specialized equine blood testing services Any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope. Each reference should include: A description on the degree of work self-performed. Past performance references with names and phone numbers. If the company is a small business, explain how they would comply with the requirement FAR 52.219-14- Limitations on Subcontracting Emailed responses are required . Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit information are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. Responses to this notice are due no later than 2:00 p.m., Central Time, on Monday, August 22h, 2022 to the attention of Corinne Nygren, Contract Specialist, via e-mail:
[email protected]. All questions regarding this notice must also be directed to the point of contact in this notice.