Notice of intent to issue a sole source contract - Beef cuts for research project from federally-inspected beef processor

Notice of intent to issue a sole source contract The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, intends to negotiate with Tyson Fresh Meats, Lexington, NE on a sole source basis for beef cuts as described below to be used in a research project; under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) is seeking a federally-inspected beef processor to participate in a study of tenderness prediction technologies. The company must regularly slaughter grain-fed beef and process carcasses into vacuum-packaged boxed beef. The experimental protocol requires obtaining the strip loins (modified NAMP 180) from 320 fed beef carcasses at 24 to 48 h postmortem. Therefore, the packing company must regularly produce boneless strip loins. The packing company must allow USMARC personnel access to their facility and provide sufficient space for product selection during carcass grading, product tagging before fabrication, and allow for strip loin tracking through fabrication. The packing company must have facilities for collection of strip loins into combo bins for immediate transport to the USMARC. Priority consideration will be given to plants that allow efficient utilization of USMARC employee and travel resources. USMARC will pay market price for the boneless strip loins selected for the experiment. This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotations or proposals. No solicitation is available. Beef processors that believe they can provide this need are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Officer within 10 days of publication of this notice. All information received within 10 days of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government to determine if the alternative source meets the Government's requirements and is capable of performing the intended task(s). All responses must be in writing and may be faxed to the attention of Donita Furman, fax 402-762-4145, or email at [email protected]. Questions concerning this acquisition must be directed to Donita Furman, email [email protected].