SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE The USDA laboratories are pivotal in advancing agricultural research, ensuring food safety, and protecting plant and animal health. These labs drive scientific innovation by addressing critical challenges such as pest and disease management, environmental sustainability, and food security. Their work informs policy, fosters collaboration with academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies, and accelerates scientific discovery. Integrating data logging software into USDA lab operations offers transformative potential by automating data collection, organization, and monitoring. This ensures accuracy, enhances reproducibility, and minimizes human error. Real-time tracking of variables such as temperature, humidity, and chemical concentrations is crucial for maintaining experimental integrity. Additionally, such software facilitates data sharing, trend analysis, and insight generation, ultimately boosting efficiency and innovation. Note: This Sources Sought Notice is not a solicitation for proposals. Submissions are voluntary, and the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. Sources Sought Instructions: Organizations with the capacity to deliver these services should provide the following: Company Information: Name and contact details (telephone and email). Business size and ownership type (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, HubZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, etc.). Capability Statement: Tailored statements addressing the requirements of this effort. Documentation supporting organizational and staff capabilities. Details of anticipated subcontracting or teaming arrangements, including administrative and management structures. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Issued by the System for Award Management (SAM). Responses to Appendix Questions: Address specific objectives outlined below. Past Performance References: Three relevant references or literature demonstrating the organization’s capability to perform this type of work. The government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to 1) provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated; 2) secure and apply the full range of corporate financial, human capital, and technical resources required to successfully perform similar requirements; 3) implement a successful project management plan that includes: compliance with tight program schedules; cost containment; meeting and tracking performance; hiring and retention of key personnel and risk mitigation; and 4) provide services under a performance based service acquisition contract. RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH WILL ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN DETERMINING THE ACQUISITION STRATEGY FOR ANY FUTURE CONTRACTS. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the above-listed services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 10:00 AM CST on Monday January 13, 2025 . All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to
[email protected]. If you have any questions concerning this opportunity, please contact:
[email protected]. APPENDIX BACKGROUND USDA’s mission is to foster economic opportunity, promote sustainable agricultural production, and preserve natural resources. USDA labs analyze food samples, monitor production processes, and conduct research to ensure the safety, quality, and composition of agricultural products. They also develop innovative agricultural technologies and practices. Data Logging Software Applications: Environmental Monitoring: Temperature, humidity, air quality. Industrial Automation: Machine performance, energy usage. Scientific Research: Experiment data collection, observational studies. Transportation: Vehicle diagnostics, GPS tracking. Key features include real-time monitoring, data visualization, anomaly alerts, and export options for advanced analysis. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of issuing this Sources Sought is to identify potential vendors capable of providing IT system development and enhancements, applications integration, maintenance and system implementation, and end user support services. Strategic goals in support of this objective are: IT System Development and Enhancements: Application integration, maintenance, and implementation. End-user support services. Strategic Goals: Software analysis. Data storage and transfer. Licensing cost analysis. Database design and ETL processes. Data analytics and visualization for performance reporting. Cybersecurity Compliance: Adherence to federal cybersecurity standards. TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENT Vendors should demonstrate capabilities in: Data storage and management. System performance analysis. Data transfer processes. Advanced reporting tools (dashboards, charts, tables). Cybersecurity measures. OUTCOME The USDA Labs aims to: Enhance lab efficiency and innovation. Improve data accuracy and reproducibility. Facilitate collaboration and insight generation. Address complex agricultural challenges effectively.