Horse Sample Kits and Analysis

USDA, APHIS, Animal Care (AC) has a need to purchase sampling equipment and lab analysis services of swab samples taken on horses for prohibited substances defined by the Horse Protection Act (HPA). Sampling equipment includes swabs, containers, tamper resistant sample bags, shipping box, etc. Subsequent lab analysis services must be performed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for all prohibited substances. The cost for analysis will be based upon a per-sample cost. This per sample cost includes multiple analyses of the actual swab sample and its associated blank, maintenance of reference standards and all other associated laboratory analysis expenses. The laboratory will be required to maintain chain of custody and integrity of samples. Approximately 600-700 swab samples are expected to be taken each year during the show season, which runs from March-November. Finally, the lab will be responsible for reporting swab sample analyses results. Analysis must be completed within two weeks and laboratory will be required to send results to the Horse Protection Coordinator. We are seeking interested sources from small-business concerns that are capable of providing the sampling kits and analysis as identified above. The intent is to issue a three year, fixed price IDIQ contract. The contract will not exceed $750,000 over three years. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541940 with a small business size standard of $7.5 mil. This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine interested small-business concerns 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 small-business 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 concern status; and 4) A brief statement of Capability (no more than three pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above. Include any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope. Also include past performance references with names and phone numbers. Electronic responses are preferred. 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 12 p.m., Central Time, on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, to the attention of Leah Schultz, Contract Specialist, via e-mail to [email protected] .