Request for Information for Evaluations of Oil-Sensitive Paper A. Scope: APHIS is requesting information for the commercial availability of oil-sensitive paper that meets or improves on APHIS-PPQ operational needs for: 1. Monitoring oil-based insecticide deposition during crop applications. 2. Retaining evidence of contact by oil-based insecticide for chemical analysis. B. Background: Currently APHIS-PPQ’s Cotton Pests Program uses “oil-sensitive” paper (OSP) to monitor insecticide deposition and drift during aerial applications for boll weevil control. Syngenta, until recently, manufactured this specialized OSP and was APHIS-PPQ’s source for the product. According to Syngenta, the OSP was developed by one of its legacy companies in the mid-1980s, but its associated records no longer exist. Syngenta has also stated that there were no patent restrictions on this product to preclude other companies from producing the OSP. Other than a publication by Skoog and Cowan (1967) that describes the preparation and use of Kromekote® paper dyed with Sudan Black BR, APHIS-PPQ is unaware of any other commercially available OSPs. C. Objective: APHIS would like to identify a supplier(s) of OSP for use in monitoring spray applications of oil-based insecticides, especially malathion. OSP has been used extensively in APHIS-supported boll weevil eradication efforts to monitor aerial and ground applications of oil-based insecticides for more than 30 years. Use in other APHIS pest management programs, such as grasshopper and fruitfly, is also possible. The OSP gives pest program personnel the ability to rapidly identify spray droplet size and distribution in real-time and to monitor spray applications made by application contractors. The OSP is also an efficient tool to assess the possibility of insecticide drift beyond the target spray area. Finally, the OSP can be collected and shipped to a laboratory, if needed, to quantify the amount of insecticide that has gone off target as a result of spray drift. D. Specifications and Consideration: OSP ‘cards’ that are precut to 2”x3” in dimension. Color change in the paper surface that immediately indicates contact with an oil-based product(s) and formulations. Paper surface that retains a lasting contact mark. Stability and insensitivity to temperatures in excess of 110F, along with tolerance of direct sunlight and relative humidity of 80%. Ability to be stored for extended periods without the need of refrigeration. Packaging in cardboard boxes or cellophane wrap, showing the date of manufacture, with quantities of 50 cards per package. Production capacity of 7,500 cards per year. Preferred delivery of first shipment of finished product close to January 2022. APHIS will design tests to determine the relative effectiveness of the submitted product compared to the OSP most recently used in APHIS-PPQ operations. That OSP has: Capacity to monitor deposition and drift of oil-based insecticide through real-time visual inspection of droplets on the OSP. Ability to retain oil-based insecticide for a minimum of 60 days under laboratory storage conditions. APHIS is willing to accept industry input on alternatives or technological improvements. However, the recommendation must be able to rapidly detect deposition/drift and retain oil-based formulations for quantitation of insecticide at a reasonable cost. For a product to be considered, submit at a minimum the following information to
[email protected] (612.590.7603): Name of company, point-of-contact, street address, phone, e-mail, and DUNS number. Copies of any studies or tests that have been performed on the efficacy of the submitted products. Written description of the submitter’s manufacturing capacity and production timeline. Written description of the company’s proposed Quality Control and Quality Assurance procedures. Written disclosure of any health or safety hazards associated with the product. Clear designation of any information that the submitter considers Confidential Business Information (CBI). We will notify suppliers as soon as possible if their submitted product is accepted for operational implementation. E. Sample Submissions: At least 50 sample cards (1 pack) should be submitted for evaluation/consideration and be clearly identified and sent to: Matthew Ciomperlik, PhD, Director Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Science & Technology 22675 N. Moorefield Rd., Building 6414, Edinburg, TX 78541 Office: 956-205-7667, Mobile: 956-369-7038. Samples and/or results cannot be returned after evaluation, except by prior arrangement. At the time of sample submission, electronic copies of all supporting information and documents should also be e-mailed to the following point-of contact. Questions about this announcement or the evaluation process may be directed here as well: Matthew Aubuchon, National Policy Manager, Cotton Pests USDA-APHIS-PPQ
[email protected] Office: 301-851-2283, Mobile: 240-446-2235. F. References: Skoog, F.E and F.T Cowan. 1967. Analysis of Spray Deposits on Dye Cards with Sudan Black BR: Their Preparation and Use. J. Econ. Entomol. 61 (1): 40-43.