THE PURPOSE OF THIS MODIFICATION IS TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PAGES FOR RESPONSES TO NOT GREATER THAN 20 PAGES. ALL OTHER INFORMATION REMAINS UNCHANGED.**************************************************************************************************************************Request for Information (RFI)(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this announcement or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) The USDA APHIS National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management is tasked with establishing a National Veterinary Stockpile. Under HSPD9 the NVS has been formed, and has as its purpose, provision of the best possible protection against an intentional or unintentional introduction of a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) or the occurrence of a natural disaster affecting animal agriculture and the food system, which could have adverse public or animal health and environmental or economic effects in the United States. APHIS is currently developing response plans to assist with mitigating any potential occurrences of Avian Influenza (AI) within the United States and its territories. An Agency response to a potential AI occurrence could involve large scale domestic poultry depopulation. Given the need to contain an AI occurrence and minimize exposure, the depopulation process would need to occur in an expedited and humane process. Byproducts of any poultry depopulation process such as carcasses will also need to be quickly, safely and legally disposed of in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and in an environmentally-sound manner. (d) The NVS is performing market research to determine what private sector capabilities, technologies and practices exist in the area the poultry depopulation and disposal. Current planning calls for the use of the most humane animal welfare standards possible, such as the euthanasia methods outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association and/or the World Organization for Animal Health. Interested parties are encouraged to respond with information concerning products and techniques that could be used by the agency for safe humane expeditious depopulation. The Agency is also seeking information in regard to potential solutions to assist with onsite and/or offsite carcass treatment/disposal. Transportation, treatment and disposal are critical in that the techniques and products must control the spread of pathogens; be readily implementable; be cost effective; minimize the release of contaminants to air, water and soil; minimize disruption to poultry operations; and be acceptable to regulators, response personnel, the public, and the poultry industry. (e) APHIS is seeking responses from qualified experienced sources with capabilities in this area. Responses should address the resources, abilities and experiences in the areas identified above. Responses should also reference other clients using the proposed products/technologies and any preexisting federal contracts or GSA schedules. (f) The Government must receive responses to this request no later than close of business April 28, 2006. Responders shall provide one electronic copy (Microsoft Word or .pdf formats ) and one paper copy of their documentation addressing the skills, knowledge and ability to perform the requirement. Information packages should not exceed 20 pages. If any information submitted is considered to be proprietary, then those pages should be marked accordingly. Documentation can be delivered to Larry Nelson via e-mail, telefax or regular mail at the following address: USDA, APHIS, 100 North Sixth Street, Butler Square, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55403 , Telephone: 612-336-3225, or Email:
[email protected].