SOW_Final_Ethanol_UHR.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

Ethanol Lure Forestry Trapping A.

Scope:

18,000 Units, Ethanol lure, ultra-high release (UHR) using lowest price technically acceptable. Technical acceptability will be rated on a pass fail basis on the following factors:

* Odor Pass/Fail

* Package opening Pass/Fail

* Package marking Pass/Fail

* Ease of attachment and removal from the anticipated trap (Lindgren Funnel) Pass/Fail

B.

Background:

Baits used for the detection of bark beetle attacks enable better monitoring of infestations. Semiochemicals are sensitive detectors of specific beetles and non-indigenous forest insect pests which allow for monitoring insect populations and aid a variety of control strategies. These forest pests are some of the most serious exotic plant pests threatening United States (U.S.) Agriculture. The cost to live with these pest infestations if not detected, monitored and managed can be damaging to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the forest industry. The cost of eradication could be in the millions of dollars.

C.

Objective

The requested supplies are needed to equip program personnel to detect and monitor exotic pest infestations. The lures are a primary detection tool used to delimit, and survey the extent of the forestry pest infestation and to manage introduced forestry pest populations. Without these lure dispensers defining the infestation might not be possible. The ultimate cost to the USDA and Cooperators could exceed millions of dollars.

D.

Contractor’s Duties:

To deliver the product FOB destination to:

USDA APHIS PPQ

22675 N. Moorefield Rd Bldg 6420 Edinburg, TX

E.

Package Marking:

The following conditions must be met for the requested products:

1. Each product must be identified, both on the lure packet and the shipping containers with:

a. Manufacturer name

b. Batch or Lot number

c. Optimal storage conditions (Manufacturers’ recommended: optimal storage temperature, and recommended minimum and maximum storage temperature range)

d. Expected duration of effectiveness when being utilized in accordance with manufacturer reccomendations

f. Contract number

g. Manufacturing date.

h. Semiochemical component - Ethanol F. Packaging:

The following packaging requirements must be followed:

a. The product must be evenly packaged with the same number of units per over pack and per box.

b. The product must be packed in an impermeable over pack to prevent leakage.

c. Each shipment will contain a current Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

d. Each shipment will include a packing slip identifying the following:

1.

Manufacturer

2.

Batch/Lot Number

3.

Date of Manufacture

4.

Purchase order Number

5.

Quantity Shipped

No more than 10 lures can be grouped in an impermeable over pack. Material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that shall insure acceptance by common carriers and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, Uniform Freight Classification rules, or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation.

G.

Clauses – See Solicitation/Contract Body H.

Specifications

APHIS understands Ethanol to be an attractant for the many insects. APHIS will consider a manufacturers recommendation so long as proper support is provided showing; the effectiveness against the pest(s) listed and the rate of release is demonstrated to be effective for a period of at least 6 weeks for the pest listed for that lure.

Ethanol should be effective against Monochamus alternatus, Hylobius abietis, Tetropium castaneum, Tetropium fuscum, Tomicus destruens when used in conjunction with other semiochemicals like Alpha Pinene.

The government has used a passive release device which is loaded with over 100 grams of Ethanol and contained in a polysleve. APHIS realizes that this is often controlled by temperature and other environmental factors. The load rate of the dispenser should be adequate to last 6 weeks at a variety of environmental factors for the required 6 week period.

Given the various construction of lure dispensers, companies shall also summit the following during the solicitation process:

* Detailed specification of the lures submitted including: percent composition of all chemicals, listing of both active and non-active ingredients. APHIS may request documents after the samples are submitted for testing (If samples are requested).

* Information relating to effectiveness of the given semiochemical supporting the submitted lures’ specifications

* Written specifications and testing procedures utilized to ensure products meet given specifications

* Data supporting the expected field life of the dispenser.

All submitted information will be treated as confidential business information.

I.

Bid Sample Testing and Quality Requirements

Any products not already approved during previous acquisitions for these items will be subject to evaluation prior to an award decision to ensure that the products will meet program needs. Lures and the packaging will be evaluated by individual users of the lures. Users will have knowledge of the lure and have used them as part of an APHIS program. The following evaluation criteria will be evaluated:

* Odor Pass/Fail

* Package opening Pass/Fail

* Package marking Pass/Fail

* Ease of attachment and removal to the anticipated trap (Lindgren Funnel) Pass/Fail To complete this evaluation APHIS may request 20 individually packaged lures to be provided at no cost to the government and must be received within 7 business days from the date of a formal request by the contracting officer. Such samples will be shipped at no cost to the government to:

USDA APHIS PPQ

Attention: Dave Asher

Bldg 6420, Moore Air Base

22675 N. Moorefield Rd

Edinburg, TX 78541

The USDA APHIS may perform QA testing addressing the following areas:

* The dispenser shall be resistant to damage and moisture when handled during normal field trapping operations.

* The dispenser contains the full amount of the active components upon delivery.

* The dispensers fit the inside of the trap in a way that does not impede the installation or replacement of a new dispenser.

* Meets the needs of programs

* Supported with published scientific literature

In order to assure the most effective use of tax payer dollars APHIS will also be instituting a Quality Control (QC) program in an attempt to address lure leakage and product reliability. APHIS will routinely monitor the following areas of lure quality:

a. Lure Leakage upon arrival

b. Lure shelf life All dispensers shall exhibit satisfactory shelf life by remaining in compliance with the specifications for at least six months when stored at manufacturer specifications

c. Active component purity and quality

If a vendor is found to have a lure leakage rate in excess of 2% of the provided lures they will provide working replacements for these products at no cost to the government. Similarly, if 5% of the product is found to have a depleted content after 6 months at optimal storage the vendor will offset the required supply at no cost. If at any point of the expected shelf life, the active component is found to have purity or quality issues, the vendor will provide replacement lures meeting the stated specifications at no cost to the government.

At the request of the Vendor, APHIS may provide representative samples of the failed products.