Sole Source Notification

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Bee Research Unit in Tucson, Arizona intends to negotiate solely with Constanza Orchards in Edgewood, New Mexico under FAR Part 6.302-1 to furnish and deliver Italian Honey Bees.

The mission of the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center (CHBRC) is to conduct research to optimize the health of honey bee colonies, through improved nutrition and control of Varroa mites in order to maximize production of honey bee pollinated crops.  To maintain research integrity, requires the same genetic stock as used in inception. 

Specifications: 198 packages of 3 pounds of Italian Honey Bees, each with a marked Italian Queen Bees (Cordovan) plus 10 marked Italian Queen Bees.

This procurement is not a request for proposal and not to be construed as a commitment by the government. Potential sources who believe they can provide the honey bees with the same genic stock, are invited to submit and substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government to complete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the government.

The anticipated date of award is February 6, 2014. Point of contact: sheri.eiri@ars.usda.gov