Intent to Purchase Sole SourceRalstonia solanacearum (Rs) Detection Serum for Molecular Testing at USDA Offshore Facilities

02/25/2021

Intent to Purchase Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) Detection Serum for Molecular Testing at USDA Offshore Facilities. Cellular Analysis and Notification of Antigen Risks and Yields (CANARY Technology)

The USDA, Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS) PPQ intends to award a sole source “Firm Fixed Price” purchase order under the statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition per statutory authority is 41U.S.C. 253(c)(1) FAR 6.302-1 to Path Sensors Inc (Smith Detection), The serum needed are available from only one responsible qualified source at this time and no other type of property or services will satisfy these needs. The manufacturer of the instrument makes the serum to ensure machine calibration and detections are accurate and reliable. It is a requirement of ISO/IEC 17025, the standard that the PPQ Testing Facilities operates under this status and all calibrations and equipment are maintained by utilizing authorized serums for testing. Failure to meet this requirement would result in the loss of accreditation for the PPQ Off Shore Labs and severely affect the confirmatory diagnostics performed by the lab for PPQ for any shipments.

The Assurance Plan justification:  The implementation of molecular testing at four Plant Inspection Stations (PISs; Atlanta, Linden, Los Angeles, Miami) to monitor Pelargonium shipments arriving from approved facilities in Ethiopia, Germany, Kenya, and Mexico for the presence of Rs is estimated to begin on March 1, 2021  (pending).  Testing for Rs will be conducted using CANARY (Cellular Analysis and Notification of Antigen Risks and Yields) technology. 

PPQ will test one shipment per importer per PIS per month.  We will test up to 298 plants per shipment of 50,000 or more cuttings.  Most shipments are larger than 50,000 cuttings.  Each test will combine up to five cuttings, for a total of 60 tests per shipment.  We anticipate that each PIS will require 0-2 sets (each set containing reagents for 65 samples) of CANARY reagents per week, depending on importer determined shipping frequency.  In total, we estimate testing at least 156 shipments and 9,360 composited samples.  We also expect that the short shelf-life of these reagents (eleven days after receipt) will lead to some expiring before they can be used.  This may increase our reagent purchasing by 20%. 

CANARY reagents need to be procured exclusively from Smiths Detection (previously known as Path Sensors).  Smith’s Detection is the only vendor of CANARY equipment and reagents and therefore the only vendor who may support our testing needs.    This equipment utilizes their proprietary software and reagents to detect Rs exclusively. The Government will not award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Information provided is strictly voluntary. Please email Statements of Capability to Tom Wesley: Thomas.j.wesley@aphis.usda.gov. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Closing date for submission of Statements of Capability is March 3, 2021 at 3:30 PM Central Standard Time. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 325414. Small Business.