In the near future, the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) intends to solicit bids for 100 wether goat kids. These animals shall be furnished and delivered, FOB destination, to USDA, ARS, Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center’s research site in Bragg, Raleigh County, West Virginia. Pending availability of funds, the contract shall cover one base year and three option years. Each goat must have an average weight of 50 pounds each (not less than 45 pounds and not more than 55 pounds). The Contractor shall provide a weight ticket upon delivery. The Government shall use the information provided by the Contractor to inspect and accept the animals. Required animal characteristics are as follows: 1) Animals should be from a single source/farm and not co-mingled with other goats or sheep. Animals must be of like genetics and as uniform as possible, with at least three-fourths Boer genetics. These Boer goat kids need to be as uniform as possible in genetic background (same sire or half-sibling sires), size, and weight, and they need to have a similar background as far as location, rearing, handling and care. 2) Animals must be castrated (and healed a minimum of 21 days) males (no stags) of calm and tractable nature. 3) Animals are required to have the following vaccinations: Clostridium perfringens type C and D and Cl. Tetani. All vaccinations/injections are to be given in the neck of the animal in accordance with standard industry practices. 4) Animals are required to be dewormed with an athelmintic approved and labeled for use in goats. 5) The Contractor shall provide restitution for any animal determined to show signs of disease or illness within two weeks after delivery. 6) The Contractor may be required to replace the unfit animal and reimburse the Government for diagnostic fees, if required. The contractor must supply a signed certificate that documents the health care provided and list the specific vaccine(s) / dewormer(s) / product(s) used / administered. Information shall include the animal number; vaccination/dewormer; administration date of vaccination and deworming; route of administration (subQ, IM, oral, or external pour-on); specific product name and lot number; and Scrapie Tag number. Transportation: The animals will be shipped in accordance with standard industry practices and ICC regulations. Goats are to be healthy with no overt signs of disease, and free of injury, active lameness, respiratory disease, sore mouth, foot rot / scald, coccidiosis and ringworm. The Contractor is responsible for the animals’ condition until inspection and acceptance upon delivery. Animals are to be subjected to minimal stress during shipping, which minimizes outside sources of variation and maintains experimental integrity. The screening committee reserves the right to refuse any animal that does not meet the minimum criteria as stated above, or any animal deemed unhealthy or have an undesirable disposition. Partial shipments will not be accepted. The Contractor must provide replacement animal(s) within 14 days upon the Government’s request, at no additional cost to the Government, if animal(s) do(es) not meet the specifications, or if animal(s) arrive(s) ill or dead upon delivery. The Contractor shall give the Government a minimum one-week notice of the definite delivery date. At that time, the Government shall either (1) provide exact directions to the farm site near Beaver, West Virginia, where the goats are to be delivered, or (2) arrange to meet the delivery person at the main facility at 1224 Airport Road, Beaver, West Virginia, and provide escort to the farm site. The Contractor shall deliver the goats (F.O.B. Destination) during the week of April 4, 2005, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.

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