SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition. Department of Agriculture (ARS) requests responses from ALL socioeconomic categories in order to gain a more complete understanding of the market for these services. The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following service: Define Minimum Requirements Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 141 isolates of Glasserella parasuis (formerly known as Haemophilus parasuis). Provider must be able to perform antimicrobial sensitivity testing of fastidious microorganisms that includes Glasserella (Haemophilus) parasuis, which may requiProvider must provide data demonstrating past success OR be recommended by NVSL Diagnostic Bacteriology Pathology Laboratory, Bacterial identification Section as a recommended provider for Performing antimicrobial sensitivity testing of Glasserella (Haemophilus ) parasuis Provider must perform viability and morphology checks of submitted isolates. Provider must utilize BOPO7 plates from the Thermo Scientific Sensititre System for the sensitivity panel. Provider must determine MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) testing on the submitted isolates using the specified antimicrobial panel (BOPO7). Provider must utilize Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (ATCC 27090) for the quality control (QC) check. Provider must report original data to submitter in an Excel spread sheet format. To be eligible, all vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A vendor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register in SAM. Vendor must include their DUNS# on their capability statements. The NAICS code for the expected acquisition is 541380, with a Size Standard of $16.5 MILLION and the PSC Code is B529. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted as a commercial item purchased in accordance with FAR Part 12 and as a Simplified Acquisition Procedure in accordance with FAR Part 13. Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business. Responses should be submitted by (8/26/2020 @10:00am central time) to the attention of ( Randall Reinertson ) at the address above. Questions should be directed to Randall Reinertson,
[email protected]