Sources Sought: Dog Food Supply

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking capability statements from small business firms for a proposed project requiring ongoing supply of dog food and multiple types of dog treats to support the feeding and training of canines at the National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC) located in Newnan, GA.

See attached product list.

All interested small business parties are invited to submit capability statements for acquisition planning purposes. The following outline is recommended (5-page limit):

1) Company name, address, and primary point of contact information
2) A statement of capability. Small business sources must indicate if they are capable of supplying the specified brand name products and/or "equal" dog food and dog treats manufactured or produced by small business concerns in the United States or its outlying areas. Please include product formulations for alternative "equal" products. Note: Changing formulation can cause severe digestive upset and lead to gastric distress, which causes canines to be unavalable for training and impacts operations.
3) Recent and relevant past performance information
4) Business Ownership and Self‐Certification information (i.e. Small Business, Women‐Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned)
5) Current Government Certifications (i.e. 8(a) certified, 8(a) joint venture, Small Disadvantaged Business HUBZone Certified)
6) List Pertinent Codes: NAICS Codes (numbers only), DUNS number
USDA APHIS reserves the right to determine if a small business set-aside is appropriate based upon the capability information provided in response to this notice, and other pertinent information gathered by the contracting officer.

Please submit capability statements by email to Lisa Draves, lisa.a.draves@aphis.usda.gov by October 12, 2018. This notice does not constitute a solicitation. This invitation for capability statements is for planning purposes only. The acquisition strategy for this proposed project has not yet been determined. Response to this notice is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse any party for its participation in this effort. Information submitted in response to this notice is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge or provide feedback with respect to any information submitted under this notice.

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