Sources Sought - Multiple Award Hazardous Waste Disposal

Q&A added as attachment 12/27/23

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) are Agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  APHIS and AMS collectively operate hundreds of small inspection stations and labs as well as several larger research facilities. Some of these facilities are in remote locations, and hazardous waste disposal services may be needed in locations such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Most of the facilities are very small quantity generators of hazardous waste, and some are intermittent large quantity generators (LQGs). One notable intermittent LQG is a manufacturing facility in Pocatello, ID that produces vermin control products containing poisons such as cyanide and strychnine. Contractors must able pick up waste itself or hire subcontractors to pick up, transport and properly dispose of hazardous waste. Facility managers or their designee will be contacted at each specific facility to arrange access and schedule pick-ups.  

APHIS and AMS together intend to establish multiple contract instruments to collect and dispose of all of its chemical waste nationwide as needed. The majority of this waste will be hazardous waste, but in some cases disposal may include non-hazardous waste where there is no alternative disposal method. All contract holders will be expected to be thoroughly familiar with all federal, state and local hazardous waste regulations in the areas in which they and their subcontractors have been contracted to operate for this project.

We are seeking interested sources from small-business concerns. However, we recognize that small businesses and their subcontractors collectively may not be able to provide the requested services in all of the locations required for this project. As such, all interested contractors capable of providing hazardous waste disposal services are encouraged to respond to this notice, regardless of business size. Details on the services required, as well as the information interested contractors should provide in response to this notice, can be found in the attached document.

The estimated magnitude for this project is between $600,000 and $1 million, with orders competed between contract holders at the time each service is needed. The main North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 562211 with a small business size standard of $47 million.

This is not a request for proposals or quotes, but instead market research to determine interest and market conditions. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide. If you are an interested contractor, please provide the information as directed in the attached document.

All requested information must be submitted via email to the contacts listed below. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Responses are due no later than 3 p.m., Central Standard Time, on Friday, January 12, 2023.