Intent to Award Sole Source Purchase Order

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT

AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.

The United Stated Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with Midwest Research Swine, LLC, 3413 11th St E, Glencoe, MN 55336-3400, as the only responsible source that can provide Yorkshire research swine required by current research protocol parameters.  This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-83 are incorporated.

The United States Army Institute of Surgical Research Institute (USAISR) intends to procure a firm-fixed-price purchase order for female Yorkshire research swine. The maximum estimated dollar amount of the purchase order is $20,000.00.

Under the contemplated award, Midwest Research Swine, LLC will provide research swine to USAISR under a sole source purchase order until the follow-on Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is established. The ability to compare current experimental data with historical data is imperative to the scientific process.  This is a follow-on award to W81XWH-15-A-0015 which was performed by Midwest Research Swine, LLC.  Both W81XWH-15-A-0015 and the contemplated award support the same research protocols.  Direct comparison of all experimental data across each study is essential for maintaining the scientific integrity and design of the research.  Comparison of data can only be reliably performed if genetic variability among the research animals is controlled.  Vendors of commonly used laboratory animals produce genetically distinct animals. Their behavioral characteristics and physical traits are different due to genetic variability that has occurred over decades of selective breeding. Therefore, substituting one vendors' strain for another has the potential to confound the scientific results and validity of previous research.  The only way to control the effects of genetic variability and ensure valid experimental data is to procure animals from the same vendor as the animals used on previous experiments supplied by Midwest Research Swine.

No effort will be made to solicit from as many potential sources as is practicable as there is only one source capable of performing the required services, given the need to ensure the consistency and scientific merit of the tests to be performed.  No subcontracting opportunities are expected from this effort.

The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 112210 with a Small Business Size Standard of $1.0 million. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document will be posted for this requirement. However, parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same product. All capability statements received by closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Based on the above information, the only technically acceptable research swine are those provided by Midwest Research Swine, LLC, 3413 11th St E, Glencoe, MN 55336-3400. . Submit email capabilities statements (using PDF, MS Word, Excel attachments) to Terry Bice at terry.g.bice.civ@mail.mil. Statements are due no later than 5:00 P.M. EDT on 14 August 2020.