Draft LBAM Twist Tie 2009.doc

LBAM Twist Ties 2009

PART II - WORK STATEMENT

A. BACKGROUND

The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) intends to procure light brown apple moth pheromone formulation for the light brown apple moth program in California. USDA, APHIS intends to procure the pheromone for the period beginning on or about May 15, 2009. Any type of Light Brown Apple Moth pheromone formulation is acceptable as long as it meets the technical requirements listed in this solicitation.

B. SCOPE OF WORK

APHIS intends to award a firm fixed price commercial supply contract for the light brown apple moth pheromone formulation limited to the USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Light Brown Apple Moth Program in California, located at 7697 Highway 1, Building 20, Moss Landing, California 95039.

The Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) is native pest of to Australia and is found in New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Hawaii. The host range for LBAM is broad with more than 2,000 host plants, including fruit – stone fruit, apples, pears, grapes, and citrus – vegetables, nursery stock, and ornamental plants, and cut flowers. If left uncontrolled, LBAM has the potential to cause significant economic losses resulting crop losses, increased production costs, and the possible loss of international and domestic markets.

APHIS has elected to use pheromone treatment to control LBAM infestations as they constitute the most environmentally safe approach in comparison to other treatment options, such as the use of chemical pesticides. Pheromone treatment is timed to ensure that emerging LBAM male populations are attracted away from female populations, thus disrupting mating to reduce the size of subsequent generations. Targeted pheromone treatment is a key component of the overall LBAM program strategy, which encompasses an integrated approach that includes sterile insect technology and biological control.

C. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The effective period of the contract shall be date of award through twelve months, with an option to extend the effective period for two (2) additional years.

D. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT

Government Furnished Property

The USDA, APHIS will supply the appropriate pheromone quantity to the contractor in order to produce the formulation. The contractor will be responsible for shipping the LBAM pheromone from the storage facility located at 197 Maracaibo Street, Port Newark, New Jersey 07114 to the contractor’s manufacturing site and returning the finished product to the USDA, APHIS, LBAM program headquarters located in 7697 Highway 1, Building 20, Moss Landing, California 95039.

Specifications For The Pheromone Formulations Following are the specifications for the light brown apple moth pheromone formulation. Alternate products or materials are not acceptable.

1. Formulation must be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); final award would be made contingent upon EPA registration.

2. Formulation must have been tested by the USDA or a USDA approved entity and proved to be efficacious against LBAM.

3. Formulation must consist of dispensers designed to provide a slow release of the pheromone active ingredient for no less than 80-90 days. Dispensers must be applied by hand on host plant branches, vines, flowers, stems, etc.

4. Offeror will specify the field life of their formulation. The formulation should provide 80-90 day field life at 25°C, with preference given to greater field life products.

5. The following elements are highly desirable for the finished products; dispenser approved for use on organic production systems.

6. The pheromone formulation needs to be harmless to non-target surfaces such as automotive and structural finishes.

7. A combined release rate at 25°C for the two active ingredient compounds should average ≥ 200mg per acre per day.

8. The formulation needs to have multiple dispensers and should provide for a uniform coverage of targeted areas.

9. The formulation should release ≥ 60% of its initial pheromone load during its expected field life.

Definitions

1. Pheromone: A chemical that triggers a natural behavioral response in another member of the same insect species. Pheromone here refers to the light brown apple moth synthetic female pheromone, which contain the active ingredient E-11-14: OAC and EE 9,11‑14OAC in a ratio of approximately 20:1 (18:1 to 24:1 is acceptable). Isomer purity of the active ingredients should be ≥ 70%.

2. Pheromone Formulation: The finished product, which contains the LBAM pheromone (supplied by APHIS) and dispensers designed to ensure the slow and controlled release of the pheromone into a targeted treatment area.

Inspection And Approval The Contractor must provide USDA, APHIS with a certificate ensuring compliance of each formulation lot with the required specifications.

The Government will perform quality assurance testing on the products received to verify conformance with the specifications as outlined in this contract. Deliveries that are deemed not to be in compliance with the specifications are to be removed and replaced in accordance with FAR clause 52.212-4.

Quantities

The estimated quantities of the light brown apple moth pheromone formulation that APHIS PPQ intends to procure are estimated based as follows: 10,000,000 dispensers of finished product or 40,000 acres equivalent.

Packaging And Marking

The final pheromone formulation should be packaged in sealed, leak proof packages and shipped in a manner that will not expose the pheromone to air, sunlight, or any other elements that will destroy its physical characteristics and make it less effective. The size of the package should be adequate for handling in the field by personnel and without requiring additional equipment for lifting or moving.

Deliveries Shipping is FOB destination. The successful offeror(s) shall deliver the quantities of LBAM pheromone formulation necessary for program operations.

The first delivery date is on or about May 15, 2009. Subsequent deliveries shall be made in accordance with the schedule below:

D. PLACEMENT OF ORDERS

Delivery orders for bulk quantities of pheromone formulation during the contract period will be competed among the awardee(s) based on price, availability of product, conformance to the quality specifications, and delivery dates and times.

The Contractor shall provide supplies under this contract only as directed in delivery orders. In accordance with FAR 16.505, each delivery order will include: (i) Date of order (ii) Contract number and order number (iii) Contract item number and description, quantity, and unit price or estimated cost or fee (iv) Delivery or performance date (v) Place of delivery or performance (including consignee) (vi) Packaging, packing, and shipping instructions, if any (vii) Accounting and appropriation data (viii) Method of payment and payment office, if not specified in the contract (ix) Any other pertinent information.

Delivery orders for the LBAM pheromone formulations will be issued in accordance with scheduled program treatments;

a) Supplies for each Delivery Order may be requested either verbally or in writing with the contractor to meet program scheduling needs, up to the bulk task order total. Oral or telecommunication requests will be issued only by the Contracting Officer or an authorized Ordering Officer located USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Light Brown Apple Moth Program in California, located the USDA APHIS, PPQ at 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 6-400, Sacramento, CA 95814 (see d below)

b) The Contracting Officer may issue Delivery Orders under this contract obligating funds for the procurement of specific quantities of pheromone formulation prior to the Government needing delivery of said ordered quantities. Delivery Orders may be issued authorizing an Ordering Officer to place orders against the delivery order and schedule specific delivery dates and quantities up to, but not exceeding the total quantity authorized by the Contracting Officer.

c) Delivery Orders issued by the Contracting Officer not specifying the need to coordinate delivery with the Ordering Officer must comply with clause 452.247-70.