65--BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE) TEST KITS

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), intends to issue sole source Purchase Order using Commercial and Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Bio-Rad Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Test Kits to be used in Bio-Rad test equipment to the Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Life Science Group, located in Hercules, California. The proposed action is intended as an interim purchase of kits to allow BSE over a 30 day period until the results of a pending competitive Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) equipment contract are determined. Future kit procurements will be dependant upon the results of the aforementioned competition. The current proposed contract action is for supplies for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received under an existing contract after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.