“This Sources Sought is for informational purposes only. This is not a “Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ)” to be submitted. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the government. Responses in any form are not offers and the government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought. Responses will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFP or RFQ, if issued.”

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a public health regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA), protects consumers by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. The FSIS Western, FSIS Midwestern, and FSIS Eastern Laboratories are regulatory laboratories that test meat, poultry, egg products, Siluriformes, and environmental samples to ensure that they are free of contamination or adulteration.

The current protocols for analytical tests are required by FSIS regulatory activities on meat, poultry, and egg products. Specifically, microbiological methods are presented for sample preparation, enrichment, isolation, and identification of the major foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins, meat tissue species identification, and the detection of antimicrobial residues. The objective of this requirement is to adequately equip all three FSIS Laboratories with the capability to test samples for: Salmonella species, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter species.

Estimated Period of Performance: Base (12 months) plus 4 Option Periods (12 months each) with performance commencing in August 2023.

Anticipated Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery Indefiniate Quantity

Delivery Locations:  USDA FSIS Laboratories

(1) St. Louis, Missouri 63120

(2) Athens, GA 30605

(3) Albany, CA 94710