Questions and Answers_12639524Q0122.pdf

SAM.gov Solicitation 12639524Q0122 published 05/01/2024

Questions and Answers

Q 1 I understand APHIS will test a sample from each batch of liquid before incorporating into plugs. Please clarify: will APHIS do the integration (i.e. they want plugs and liquid delivered separately) or do they want contractor to integrate liquid into plugs before delivery, but wait to integrate each liquid batch until APHIS has tested and given the green light that the liquid from the batch is acceptable to integrate into plugs?

A - APHIS requires the input liquid to meet the following specifications:

1) Must be a white liquid at room temperature, with a mild, pleasant, fruity odor characteristic of the compound.

2) All lots must be uniform in composition.

3) Must have a refractive index not more than 1.5090, nor less than 1.5060, at 25°

Celsius.

4) 95% pure by gas chromatographic analysis.

APHIS may request a 100-ml sample of the cue lure liquid prior to lure purchase if it deems necessary to do so. If so, and if the liquid passes purity requirements, APHIS will let the vendor know they may proceed with integrating the approved liquid into the plugs.

Q 2 What concentration of Cue Lure do they want in the plugs? That is, the cue lure liquid itself must be 95% pure for FAT testing, but can it be mixed to a lower concentration with other ingredients in the plug itself? For example, Scentry plugs are ~66% Cue Lure and ~34% other ingredients.

A – The required load rate is 3 grams of the 95% pure cue lure liquid per plug.

Q 3 Confirm average total mass of plugs including liquid must be (3+/-0.3) / 0.67 grams = 4.48+/- 0.45 grams

A – Correct

Q 4 Confirm cue lure liquid mass referred to in paragraph 1.4.8.a is 95% pure; that is "CL" is referring to the 95% pure cuelure described in paragraph 1.2.iii

A – Correct

Q 5 Paragraph 1.4.5.b refers to plug being used inside a standard jackson trap. Is this the only type of trap it will be used with? Should contractor anticipate use with other kinds of traps?

A – At this time, we expect to use the lure with a standard Jackson trap.

Q 6 Can CO provide documentation for the specific "standard jackson trap" referred to? Is the plug considered to be a "wick" that will have liquid added with an eyedropper as described in "National Exotic Fruit Fly Detection Trapping Guidelines" (PDF attached) published by USDA (pages 32-35)? Or is the plug considered to be a solid lure that will be placed in the "basket" of the Jackson trap?

A - The cue lure plug requested in this solicitation is a solid lure that will be placed in the basket of a standard Jackson trap.

Q 7 Clarify what "volatization" means in paragraph 1.4.1. Is this meant to describe the act of adding the 95% pure CueLure to the plug?

A - This is meant to describe the desired lure as a solid matrix that will hold (fully absorb, contain) the cue lure liquid in such a manner that it will be released from the lure at a controlled rate. Volitation in this context refers to the controlled release or emitting of the cue lure ingredient from the solid lure plug. We require all 3 grams of the 95% pure liquid to be contained within the solid matrix at the time of deployment, and to be released at a controlled rate. We will reject lures from which the liquid cue lure has seeped out of the solid matrix into the packaging prior to deployment or drips out of the lure immediately upon deployment. We expect the solid matrix to fully contain the cue lure liquid and release it a controlled rate through volatilization once deployed in a trap.