Development of synthetic scent training aid
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- 1172844
- Agency
-
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Department of Agriculture
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 812910 Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
- PSC
- 6910 Training Aids
- Place of performance
- Newnan, Georgia 30263, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting a sole-source procurement from Polymath Intersciences LLC for development of a synthetic scent training aid, with responses due July 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM. APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) requires a non-biological substitute to train canine detection teams on New World Screwworm larvae identification, replacing current unsafe practices using live or infested specimens. The synthetic scent must accurately mimic screwworm infestations to enable safe, consistent training without biosecurity or ethical risks. Recent detection points within 90 to 120 miles of the Texas-Mexico border underscore operational urgency.
The one-year firm fixed-price contract carries a $1,000,000 ceiling and $500,000 contract ceiling. Contractor deliverables include research into odor composition of screwworm larvae, development of synthetic training aids, selection and training of six canine detection dogs, validation testing with live infected cattle, six trained and certified canines, and sufficient synthetic aids to imprint six additional canines for three months. Monthly progress reports are required. The contractor bears all travel and canine transportation costs. Award is based on lowest price technically acceptable criteria, with evaluation prioritizing technical acceptability across five required elements, past performance, and total evaluated price. The base period includes five one-year option periods and a potential six-month extension. Questions are due July 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM MST to samuel.lopez@usda.gov. Offers must remain firm for 90 calendar days from receipt.
Notice text
SOLE SOURCE
Polymath Intersciences LLC - Has patent for Training Aid.
General Information
- Scope of Work
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) require a scent-detection training aid for canine bio-detection sensitivity training. The canines will be used to accelerate the detection and eradication efforts of the New World Screwworm. This aid is required to be a non-biological substitute filling a critical gap in PPQ’s training process. Developing a synthetic scent kit that accurately mimics screwworm infestations will allow a safe training process without the possibility of unintentional spread outside of the training facility.
- Background
Animal detection teams are essential for spotting screwworm infestations and protecting overall biosecurity. Training these teams with live or infested material has always carried real biosecurity and ethical risks, which is why a reliable synthetic scent would be a far safer and more consistent option.
Major outbreaks in Central America and Mexico are inching dangerously close to the U.S. border. Detection points have been found within 90 to 120 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, triggering strict federal agricultural surveillance and precautionary measures. Current training processes rely on live or infested specimens, creating both safety concerns and inconsistency. PPQ lacks a synthetic screwworm‑detection scent, leaving training less effective than it could be and more hazardous
The goal now is to create and validate a synthetic scent that accurately represents screwworm larvae so detection dogs can identify infestations with greater precision. Without this, detection efforts stay fragmented and imprecise, creating a significant gap in our ability to pinpoint the primary agents driving the infestation.
Solicitation responses are due 23 July 2026 at 4:00 PM
Read solicitation and SOW.
All questions come through Contracting Officer:
Todd K. Bierl
(Major Program Contracting Officer)
Emergency Acquisition
Marketing and Regulatory Program Business (MRPBS)
Acquisition and Asset Management Division (AAMD)
Acquisition Branch
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Office#(612)336-3465
Cell# (612)500-1321/(763)286-8084
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Training Aid Development Performance Work Statement solicitation.docx | DOCX document |
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