Statement of Work_CABI subscriptions 2025.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents

Project CABI Database Subscriptions Annual Renewal

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

Provide a brief statement of the overall project, including goals and objectives.

CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International) is an international not-for-profit organization that provides information to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. CABI produces unique databases that contain key information pertaining to agricultural production and biosecurity. There is no comparable provider that collates, evaluates, and organizes the information contained in these databases in an easily searchable format offered as a single resource collection. APHIS has long maintained paid subscriptions to several databases produced by CABI. Currently these are:

1. CABI Compendium (includes eight channels: Crop Protection, Invasive Species, Forestry, Horticulture, Seedborne Pests, Animal Health and Production, Aquaculture, Food Safety and Quality)

2. Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

3. Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases

4. Distribution Maps of Plant Pests All CABI databases subscriptions support the APHIS mission in the following ways:

CABI databases are essential resources for obtaining background information on pests and diseases and learning about disease incidence and distribution of pests and pathogens.

They are essential to the work of Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) laboratory scientists and risk analysts with PPQ’s Science & Technology-Plant Pest Risk Analysis program. Staff members use information and data obtained from CABI databases to provide essential scientific support to risk-based policymaking across a broad range of phytosanitary issues. PPQ relies on CABI database to formulate regulations for import/export and domestic pest and disease management programs, identify and assess new threats, monitor the effectiveness of existing programs, and optimize available resources to enhance protection.

Similarly, Veterinary Services and Wildlife Services staff, whose work deals with animals, aquaculture, or forestry, use this information to conduct risk assessments, write surveillance plans and emerging disease notices, and monitor disease conditions worldwide.

2.0 Background

Provide a general description of the requirement, describing the acquisition history (if applicable), the current environment, and the vision of the future of the requirement. If information technology is a factor, provide pertinent technical facts.

Almost since its inception in 1972, APHIS has maintained paid subscriptions to CABI databases to support mission-critical work. CABI continues to be the only source for the aggregated information contained in the databases listed and described above, which APHIS relies on to support regulatory decisions. Therefore, for the current year renewal of our subscriptions, as in past years, APHIS did not conduct Market Research, given the continued lack of alternative sources to consider.

APHIS anticipates that this situation will continue, unless and until an alternative source of such information, presented and made usable in a comparable or superior manner, becomes available. Given the longevity, established effective collaborative structure, and recognized authority of CABI, the likelihood of a competitive product entering the market is extremely low.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

Describe the specific tasks or work the contractor must perform. Provide direction on any specific methodologies.

The contractor (vendor in this case) only needs to provide access to the CABI databases APHIS subscribes to and provide customer service for any access or usage issues that may arise. Level of effort is minimal because the CABI platform is user-friendly and includes comprehensive online support that allows effective self-service.

4.0 Government Furnished

List any government-furnished support, data, property, or facilities. Describe government responsibility for reviewing and approving reports and final products generated under the contract. If the contractor will require access to government facilities, identify the facility location and specific area. Identify any federal holidays or other times when access may be restricted.

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5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

All written deliverables shall be phrased in layperson language.

Key Deliverable

6.0 Travel

Identify any travel requirements, locations involved, number of trips (if known), and duration of anticipated travel.

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7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Describe positions which are considered key to successful performance of the contract and the information required to support key personnel qualifications.

Merle Adelson, CABI Sales Operations Executive, North America – APHIS Customer Care contact

8.0 Security Requirements

Specify security requirements that apply to the contract performance. Specify the level of clearances required and identify positions that are applicable.

N/A

9.0 Data Rights

If data is to be produced, furnished, acquired, or used in meeting contract requirements, delineate the respective rights and obligations of the government and the contractor regarding the use, production, and disclosure of that data.

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10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards When information technology is to be acquired, include language describing Section 508 requirements.

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Attachment If applicable, include an Attachment stating Evaluation Factors and significant Subfactors representing the key areas of importance and emphasis to be considered in the source selection decision.

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