Pasteurized Egg Product for Laboratory (PEPRLab) Program

  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to negotiate solely with AOAC International, located at 2275 Research Blvd, Ste 300, Rockville, MD, 20850-3250, to prepare pasteurized liquid whole egg product proficiency test (PT) samples that are uninoculated or inoculated with non-salmonellae and/or Salmonella. The Contractor shall be responsible for shipping these samples to laboratories in the USDA, FSIS, Lab Quality Assurance Division (LQAD), Pasteurized Egg Product Recognized Laboratory (PEPRLab) Program. The samples shall be used to evaluate the proficiency of these laboratories in the analysis of Agency surveillance-sample egg products for Salmonella. Approximately 50 laboratories are expected to participate in this program. AOAC International is the only known source which can provide the required service. This procurement will be conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1). The period of performance will be for a 12 month base period plus four (4) additional 12 month option periods. This procurement is being conducted as a Commercial Item acquisition under FAR Part 12. This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Request for copies of this solicitation will not be honored or acknowledged. The Government does not intend to pay for information received. All interested parties must respond within five (5) calendar days from the date of this notice. Written responses must provide clear and concise documentation indicating your firm's capability to provide the required services and past performance. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. When responding to this announcement, respondents should refer to Announcement#894733. If after February 8, 2018, 5:00 p.m. EST no viable responses have been received in response to this announcement, USDA/FSIS shall negotiate solely with AOAC International.