US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Date: 2 November 2026

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards Attachment

Project Proficiency Samples to the Field Service Laboratories (FSL) for all FSIS labs

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The purpose of this project is to acquire proficiency test samples to assist with the operation of a Proficiency Test (PT) program for FSIS Field Service Laboratories, and support quality assurance and regulatory compliance. The primary goal is to provide standardized proficiency testing for laboratories, ensuring accurate and reliable results in accordance with USDA and FSIS requirements. Objectives include securing a vendor to develop test materials, coordinate distribution, collect results, analyze data, and provide a report to stakeholders including laboratory management and the ISO accrediting body.

2.0 Background

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a public health regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA), protects consumers by ensuring that meat, poultry, Siluriformes fish, and processed egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. The FSIS Field Service Laboratories (FSL), located in Saint Louis MO, Athens GA, and Albany, CA are regulatory laboratories that analyze meat, poultry, Siluriformes fish, and pasteurized egg products to ensure they are free from adulteration.

The FSIS Laboratory PT program is a critical component of laboratory quality assurance required for our laboratories’ ISO 17025 accreditation, historically managed by FSIS Laboratory Quality Assurance, Response and Coordination Staff (LQARCS). It ensures each of the Field Service laboratories meet regulatory standards and maintain high performance. PT samples are known testing materials that verify staffing knowledge and methods are adequate to analyze samples in the laboratory. The vision is to secure an external provider of PT to maintain the PT program’s effectiveness, verify, laboratories perform the analyses correctly, and produce accurate data. All PT must be compatible with the methods set forth in USDA's Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) and Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook (CLG).

An Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for supplies will be required for this project.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The Contractor shall furnish meat-based proficiency testing (PT) sample sets and related supplies ordered under individual Delivery Orders issued against the resulting IDIQ contract. After the FSIS Field Service Laboratories (FSLs) test the samples and submit their results to the Contractor, the Contractor shall evaluate the submitted results and provide a final PT event report to FSIS. The Contractor shall furnish all materials, packaging, shipping, instructions, result-submission capability, evaluation, and reporting necessary to complete each ordered PT event.

3.1 Contractor and Product Qualifications

The Contractor shall be an accredited ISO 17043 proficiency testing provider and shall maintain the accreditation required by the solicitation throughout contract performance. The Contractor shall have an established PT production program that routinely furnishes meat-matrix PT samples containing the analytes identified in this section and compatible with the applicable USDA FSIS laboratory methods.

Upon request, the Contractor shall provide evidence that its accreditation and PT program scope support the supplies and resulting evaluations ordered under this contract.

3.2 Required PT Sample Types

The Contractor shall be capable of furnishing the following recurring meat-based PT sample sets when ordered:

- Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), including E. coli O157 and a selection of non-O157 STECs, compatible with MLG 5C method.

- Campylobacter, compatible with MLG 41 method.

- Salmonella, compatible with the applicable MLG 41 method.

- Listeria monocytogenes, compatible with MLG 8 method.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/publications/microbiology-laboratory-guidebook https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/publications/chemistry-laboratory-guidebook

- Sanitary indicators, including Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, generic E. coli, and Aerobic Plate Count, compatible with MLG 3 TEMPO method.

- Food chemistry analytes consisting of fat, protein, salt, and moisture, compatible with the applicable CLG methods.

Microbiology sample sets shall be furnished to the Eastern, Midwestern, and Western FSLs. Food chemistry sample sets shall be furnished to the Eastern Laboratory unless otherwise specified in the applicable Delivery Order.

3.3 PT Sample Set Requirements

Each PT sample set shall:

- Use a meat-based matrix suitable for the ordered analyte and applicable USDA FSIS laboratory method.

- Include positive and negative samples, as applicable to the PT event design.

- Contain sufficient material for the receiving laboratory to perform the required analysis.

- Be homogeneous and stable for the stated storage and testing period.

- Be uniquely identified and controlled to protect the integrity of the PT event.

- Be supplied in packaging appropriate for the material and required transportation conditions.

3.4 Instructions and Event Information

The Contractor shall include written instructions with each PT sample set. The instructions shall include, at a minimum:

- Sample preparation and handling instructions.

- Required storage conditions and stability or use-by limitations.

- Materials or equipment to be supplied by the receiving laboratory.

- Known factors that may affect sample performance.

- Required reporting units and result-submission instructions.

- The laboratory result due date.

- Contractor contact information for shipment, sample, or result-submission questions.

3.5 Delivery Order Requirements

The Contractor shall furnish PT sample sets in the quantities and by the required delivery dates stated in each delivery order. The delivery order will identify, as applicable, the PT sample type, quantity, delivery location, required delivery date, and price. The Contractor shall review each delivery order and promptly notify the Contracting Officer of any apparent conflict that could affect timely or conforming delivery.

3.6 Packaging, Shipment, and Delivery

The Contractor shall package and ship PT sample sets using secure, traceable methods and temperature controls, when required, that preserve sample quality and prevent leakage, contamination, tampering, or degradation during transit.

The Contractor shall:

- Ship microbiology PT sample sets to the Eastern, Midwestern, and Western FSLs within the same scheduled event time frame.

- Ship food chemistry PT sample sets to the Eastern Laboratory only.

- Use the delivery locations identified in Section 4.3.

- Monitor shipment status and resolve carrier delays, damaged packages, temperature excursions, or other delivery problems that may affect sample validity.

- Provide replacement material when the Contractor determines that a shipment or sample is unsuitable for use.

3.7 Evaluation of Submitted Results

After the result-submission deadline, the Contractor shall evaluate the laboratory results using its documented PT evaluation procedures and the acceptance criteria established for the event. The Contractor shall determine whether each submitted result is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, pass or fail, or an equivalent clearly defined performance category. The Contractor shall document any result that cannot be evaluated and explain the basis for that determination.

3.8 Final PT Event Report

The Contractor shall provide FSIS with a comprehensive final report for each PT event. The report shall, at a minimum:

- Identify the PT event, sample set, analyte or measurand, applicable method, participating laboratory, and reporting period.

- Describe the sample matrix, assigned or target result, acceptance criteria, and evaluation method.

- Present the submitted laboratory results and clearly state the performance determination for each result.

- Identify any invalid sample, excluded result, anomaly, qualification, or limitation that affects interpretation.

- Protect laboratory data from unauthorized disclosure.

The Contractor shall provide the report by email or through its reporting portal within the period established in Section

5.0 or the applicable delivery order.

4.0 Government Furnished

4.1 Government Furnished Support/Data

a. Government will provide relevant PT data as needed.

b. An Annual PT Sample Delivery Order Schedule will be provided to the contractor through Delivery Orders off of the resulting IDIQ contract. Theses Delivery Schedules will include the needed PT sample, quantity and cost, delivery location, and need by dates.

4.2 Facility Locations

No contractor access will be required at laboratories.

4.3 Delivery Locations

A. Eastern Laboratory

950 College Station Road Athens, GA, 30605

B. Midwestern Laboratory

7654 Natural Bridge Road Normandy, MO 63121

C. Western Laboratory

800 Buchanan Street Albany, CA 94710

4.4 Legal Holidays

(a)The Federal Government observes the following days as holidays.

New Year’s Day January 1st*

Martin Luther King’s Birthday Third Monday in January

Presidents’ Day Third Monday in February

Memorial Day Last Monday in May

Juneteenth National Independence Day

June 19th*

Independence Day July 4th*

Labor Day First Monday in September

Columbus Day Second Monday in October

Veterans’ Day November 11th

Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Day December 25th*

*If the date falls on a Saturday, the Government holiday is the preceding Friday. If the date falls on a Sunday, the Government holiday is the following Monday.

(b) In addition to the days designated above as holidays, the Government may observe additional days in accordance with 5 USC 6103.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Key Deliverables

Item No.

Deliverable / Item Title Description Frequency Delivery Format

Due By

1 Annual PT Event Schedule A pre-set schedule shall be provided listing the name of the PT, expected shipping dates and the date that laboratory results are due to the provider.

Once per year

Via email to PT recipients or COR, or posted on vendor website.

Beginning of calendar year

PT sample set PT sets for microbiology must be delivered to all three FSLs (Eastern, Western, and Midwest laboratories) on a set schedule and at the same time frame.

Minimum of twice per year

By secure carrier

Date established in annual PT schedule

The PT sets for food chemistry must be delivered to Eastern Laboratory only on a set schedule.

Minimum of twice per year

By secure carrier

Date established in annual PT schedule

3 A comprehensive PT result report

A final report is expected from the PT provider to clearly indicate pass or fail for the PT sample.

After each testing event

Via email or reporting portal

Within 3 months of submitting final results.

6.0 Travel

Not Applicable

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Not Applicable

8.0 Security Requirements

Not Appliable

9.0 Data Rights

Data produced, furnished, or acquired under this contract will be governed by USDA/FSIS data rights policies.

Laboratory data received by the vendor to evaluate final results must be maintained confidentially throughout the process.

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards E201 Application E201.1 Scope. ICT that is procured, developed, maintained, or used by agencies shall conform to the Revised 508 Standards.

E205 Electronic Content E205.1 General. Electronic content shall comply with E205.

E205.2 Public Facing. Electronic content that is public facing shall conform to the accessibility requirements specified in E205.4.

E205.3 Agency Official Communication. Electronic content that is not public facing shall conform to the accessibility requirements specified in E205.4 when such content constitutes official business and is communicated by an agency through one or more of the following:

• A. An emergency notification;

• B. An initial or final decision adjudicating an administrative claim or proceeding;

• C. An internal or external program or policy announcement;

• D. A notice of benefits, program eligibility, employment opportunity, or personnel action;

• E. A formal acknowledgement of receipt;

• F. A survey questionnaire;

• G. A template or form;

• H. Educational or training materials; or

• I. Intranet content designed as a Web page.

E205.4 Accessibility Standard (WCAG 2.0). Electronic content shall conform to Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (Incorporated by reference, see 702.10.1).

E208 Support Documentation and Services E208.1 General. Where an agency provides support documentation or services for ICT, such documentation and services shall conform to the requirements in Chapter 6.

E301 General E301.1 Scope. The requirements of Chapter 3 shall apply to ICT where required by 508 Chapter 2 (Scoping Requirements), 255 Chapter 2 (Scoping Requirements), and where otherwise referenced in any other chapter of the Revised 508 Standards or Revised 255 Guidelines.

E302 Functional Performance Criteria

302.1 Without Vision. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user vision.

302.2 With Limited Vision. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to make use of limited vision.

302.3 Without Perception of Color. Where a visual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one visual mode of operation that does not require user perception of color.

302.4 Without Hearing. Where an audible mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user hearing.

302.5 With Limited Hearing. Where an audible mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to make use of limited hearing.

302.6 Without Speech. Where speech is used for input, control, or operation, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user speech.

302.7 With Limited Manipulation. Where a manual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require fine motor control or simultaneous manual operations.

302.8 With Limited Reach and Strength. Where a manual mode of operation is provided, ICT shall provide at least one mode of operation that is operable with limited reach and limited strength.

302.9 With Limited Language, Cognitive, and Learning Abilities. ICT shall provide features making its use by individuals with limited cognitive, language, and learning abilities simpler and easier.

503 Applications

503.1 General. Applications shall conform to 503.

Attachment Not Applicable