Analyzation of Samples for Emergent Screwworm

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service, through the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, is soliciting quotations for analytical laboratory services to analyze 50-100 samples of experimental molasses-based cattle feed supplements for an emergent screwworm research study conducted in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The procurement requires specialized toxicological analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry protocols, with three primary technical assessments: quantitative potency verification of ivermectin and doramectin active pharmaceutical ingredients, batch homogeneity testing across production runs, and clinical stability profiling under simulated field conditions. The contractor must employ qualified analytical chemists with expertise in complex organic and inorganic analyses, toxin and xenobiotic residue identification, and proficiency in advanced platforms including LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, HRMS, and ICP-MS, while maintaining strict ISO 17025 standards compliance. Quotations will be evaluated using a lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) methodology, with evaluation factors including fair and reasonable pricing, technical acceptability, and past performance, with only the lowest priced offer initially evaluated for technical acceptability. The deadline for submission of quotations is February 17, 2026, with questions due by February 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, and the period of performance runs from February 23, 2026, to July 31, 2026.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees under NAICS code 334516. The solicitation specifically identifies the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS) as the uniquely recognized veterinary laboratory within the FDA's Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), indicating this may be a noncompetitive single-source award. No specific budget range or award value has been disclosed, though the firm-fixed price contract structure allows contractors to price the 50-100 sample range based on their resource planning estimates. Deliverables must be submitted to the University of California, Davis (620 W. Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA 95616) no later than the February 20, 2026, delivery deadline under F.O.B. Destination terms, with comprehensive analytical reports, raw and processed data compliant with ISO 17025 standards, and final submissions required within 15 business days following completion of analyses. Service Contract Labor Standards apply with a minimum wage determination of $28.22 per hour for analytical chemists, and all quoters must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and comply with mandatory FAR and AGAR clauses addressing anti-discrimination, labor standards, child labor prohibitions, diversity and inclusion compliance, and sustainable products and services.