Sole Source Notice/Phase I Pesticide Spraying

Mexico and the United States have determined that it is in their mutual interest to protect their respective citrus producing areas from Huanglongbing (Candidatus Liberibacter Asiaticus), considered by experts to be one of the most destructive diseases in the world. This disease is spread by the insect Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP). In order to prevent the migration of ACP, Mexico, the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service-International Services (USDA-APHIS-IS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will lead the effort through the establishment of an “ACP Pilot Program" to suppress insect populations in the States of Baja Mexico (California Norte). Phase I of the ACP Pilot Program will consist of preventing the migration of this insect vector into commercial citrus producing areas by providing foliar and soil applications of pesticides throughout the Baja municipality of Tijuana. Accordingly, given the potential of severe economic consequences to both governments should this disease be allowed to spread to unaffected areas, the USDA-APHIS-IS intends to award a sole source contract to Fumigadora Union, Servico De Garantia En Control De Plagas, Av. San Vicente # 20626, Buenos Aires Norte, Tijuana, Mexico to provide Phase I emergency foliar and soil applications of pesticides. This procurement will be conducted in accordance FAR 6.302-2 (Unusual and compelling urgency). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 115112, and the size standard is $7.0 million. Contract is firm fixed price. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitations documents are available and telephone requests will not be honored. However, if a firm believes it can meet the requirements it must furnish information about its products, as well as three (3) references from other customers who are using these products to the Contracting Officer by 3:30 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirement. Responses received after the response date or without the required information will not be considered. Capability statements may be sent to: Daniel M. Kline, Contracting Specialist, USDA-APHIS-MRPBS, ASD Procurement Branch, Butler Square Building, 5th Floor, 100 N. 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403, or via email @ [email protected] or fax @ (612) 336-3550. Responses received will be evaluated however; a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, APHIS will proceed with the sole source procurement with Fumigadora Union.