88 -- Supply 36 Head of Cattle for Plum Island Animal Disease Center

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS, at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Orient Point, New York, intends to negotiate solely with Thomas D. Morris Inc., 4001 Millender Mill Rd, Reisterstown, MD for the purchase of 36 head of cattle to be delivered during late April and May 2006. In FY 2005 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funded the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) through a reimbursable agreement to accelerate development and testing of vaccines and anti-virals against foot-and-mouth disease in livestock. A significant part of this work involves testing combinations of vaccine, adjuvants and anti-virals in cattle. In order to minimize variability between tests and variation coming from animals, it is important to obtain homogenous animals from reliable suppliers who are AAALAC approved. It is important that these suppliers are located close to the East coast so that stress associated to long transportation times are avoided. All previous vaccine trails have been carried out with animals from this supplier and have yielded consistent and reportable results. The proximity of the supplier to the Plum Island Animal Disease Center minimizes the shipping costs and logistics of ordering and receiving animals at this laboratory. Most importantly, the animals from Thomas Morris are of a consistent quality in health and vitality, eliminating the common experience of receiving sick or otherwise compromised animals and having to reschedule trials after replacement animals are received. This notice is neither a request for quotations nor a solicitation of offers. Based on the requirements for the above system, the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with one source under the authority FAR 6.302. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement on a full and open competitive basis is solely within the discretion of the Government. No formal solicitation package is available. The Government anticipates award on April 25. The Government will not be responsible for any costs in the preparation of responses to this announcement.