Inactive

This is a Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The USDA-ARS is currently working with an Architect – Engineering A-E) firm to design a new, state of the art, dedicated close confinement Lambing Barn Research F... This is a Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The USDA-ARS is currently working with an Architect – Engineering A-E) firm to design a new, state of the art, dedicated close confinement Lambing Barn Research Facility. A critical requirement of the new close confinement lambing barn is for the flooring to be constructed to provide proper traction and overall design to prevent lameness and to provide adequate traction for the sheep to move and interact without slipping or injury due to improper flooring. This is critical animal wellbeing issue. Secondly, long stem hay or long particle Total Mixed Rations (TMR) are commonly used as feed in the sheep industry and also used extensively at USMARC. Consequently, the flooring in the barn must allow feed to fall through the flooring slats. This prevents manure pack buildup and allows the waste feed along with manure to be removed by a manure handling system. Flooring design is critical to provide adequate hygiene and animal wellbeing. This is a critical concern and Animal Welfare Inspectors will issue citations due to excessive manure pack buildup. The ARS researchers and the A-E have evaluated different types of flooring, including the typical types of flooring used in the American sheep industry. Galvanized expanded steel flooring has long been tried unsuccessfully. This flooring does not provide adequate traction or promote foot and leg health. Additionally, feed will not fall through properly, and manure buildup occurs. Other types of slat flooring was recently tried in a new confinement barn in NW Iowa this flooring failed catastrophically and due to issues with pregnant ewe foot health and joint problems in young lambs, the barn was quickly converted to a dirt floor, which is highly unsuitable for a research barn in ARS. Two slightly different types of swine slat flooring manufactured in USA, one concrete and one plastic, have been evaluated and found unsuitable for the same reasons above. These flooring are not acceptable for use in this barn and the location has categorically rejected these as possible flooring options. The only flooring that can be found which satisfies all requirements for research, production, and animal wellbeing is the MIK Stepper Sheep Slats flooring, a specialty plastic slatted flooring designed exclusively for sheep and now employed in leading research facilities around the world. This product has been proven to perform as needed in close confinement lambing barns throughout Europe and works with long stem hay and long particle TMR. The USDA intends to move forward in the design utilizing the referenced flooring but is seeking vendors that may offer solutions that can meet this rigorous standard. This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the USDA to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. A determination utilize a different flooring in the A&E design requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. In response to this sources sought, please provide: 1. Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this A&E design and identify alternatives or solution solutions. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict the design and the rationale for such conclusion. 2. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, identify business size (large business or a small business), and if applicable, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code. 3. Information to help determine if the requirement (item or service) is commercially available, including pricing information, basis for the pricing information (e.g., market pricing, catalog pricing), delivery schedules, customary terms and conditions, warranties, etc.