Inactive

THIS IS A Sources Sought announcement only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government ... THIS IS A Sources Sought announcement only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is searching for firms who can provide testing for non-pathogenic Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV HPR0). In an effort to address industry and regulatory authorities’ trade requirements (i.e. Maine infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) Control Program Standards), the NCWMAC began testing gill samples collected from broodstock at spawning. Subsequently, non-pathogenic ISAV genotype HPR0 was detected in gill samples collected in November of 2016 and 2017, and again in 2018 and 2019, suggesting that ISAV HPR0 is either being maintained somewhere in the NCWMAC hatchery or is being re-introduced on an annual basis. The USDA-Agricultural Research Service and Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are working collaborative to investigate potential hatchery entry points for non-pathogenic Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV HPR0). The NCMAC is expanding current NCWMAC testing to include (1) all life stages of Atlantic salmon held in the hatchery; (2) water, in order to find critical control points that will direct efforts to remove ISAV from the system and preclude its re-entry; and (3) environmental samples. The end goal is to prevent future recurrences of ISAV HPR0 and ensure NCWMAC can deliver eggs or fry from ISAV-free broodstock to maintain robust genetics for the U.S. Atlantic salmon industry. Testing for ISAV HPR0 must be conducted at an APHIS approved laboratory following specific testing protocols for this data to be used for future health attestations for ISAV HPR0. The NAICS code is 541940 and corresponding size standard of $8.0 million As part of its market research, USDA ARS is issuing this Sources Sought notice to determine if there exist an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing the requirement. The Government may use the responses to this Sources Sought for information and planning purposes. This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. No Request For Quote (RFQ) exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the RFQ. Responses to this Sources Sought are not quotes on which USDA ARS can issue any contract. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute an RFQ. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. All information received in response to this Sources Sought notice marked ""Proprietary"" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Responses to the Sources Sought will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. USDA ARS will not pay for information received in response to this Request. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request. Please send responses with the subject heading: Service contract for Testing for ISAV HPR0 Falcon Albino by 10/19/2020.