U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURE RESEARCH SERVICE IN BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND,  INTENDS TO PROCURE THE FOLLOWING SWINE/PIGS (AS A SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT) FROM THE VENDOR:  FAST GENETICS, USA;  LOCATED AT P.O. BOX  29, LOCATED IN JEFFERSON, IOWA. THE NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION CODE IS: 424520 WITH A SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARD OF 100 EMPLOYEES.   THIS NOTICE OF INTENT  IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE  QUOTES, HOWEVER, ALL INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 23, 2015 TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. ALL INTERESTED VENDORS MUST RESPOND BY NO LATER THAN 11:59 P.M. E.S.T ON JANUARY 23, 2015  VIA EMAIL TO: [email protected] - REFERENCING SOLICITATION NO. 999999. NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE.  A DETERMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO COMPETE WITH THIS PROPOSED CONTRACT BASED UPON RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE IS SOLELY ITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE OF THE GOVERNMENT.  NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED.

REQUIREMENT: (80) EIGHTY FEMALE SWINE WEIGHING  NO LESS THAN 200 POUNDS AND NO MORE THAN 300 POUNDS WITH THE GENETIC BACKGROUND COMPRISED OF LANDRACE AND LARGE WHITE CROSSSBREEDING; AND TWO (2) TEASER BOARS OF A YORKSHIRE MATERNAL LINE. THE ABOVE REQUIRED SWINE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE ROUTINE IMMUNIZATIONS AND SHALL ALSO BE VACCINATED AGAINST: PARVOVIRUS (PARVO), LEPTOSPIROSIS (LEPTO), ERYSIPELAS, MYCOPLASMA (MYCO), CIRVOVIRUS (CIRCO), AND HAEMOPHILUS PARASUIS (GLASER'S DISEASE) PRIOR TO DELIVERY.

       •1.      Contracting Activity

USDA/ARS/EBSC/AB

5601 Sunnyside Ave., Mailstop 5124, Bldg. 4-1246A

Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5104

John Wilkinson, Purchasing Agent

         •2.      Nature/Description of Action:

This request is to enter into a firm-fixed price contract for other than full and open (Sole Source) competition for pigs with a Landrace x Large White background from Fast Genetics USA of Jefferson, IA

 •3.      Description of Supplies/Services

The USDA is in need of 80 female swine weighing no less than 200 pounds and no more than 300 pounds with the genetic comprised of Landrace and Large White crossbreeding; and two (2) teaser boars of Yorkshire maternal line.  The swine are required to have routine immunizations and also be vaccinated against parvovirus (parvo), leptospirosis (lepto), erysipelas, mycoplasma (myco), circovirus (circo), Haemophilus parasuis (Glasser's disease) prior to shipment.  Health records are also required to ensure the animals to meet the requirements of the Animal Health Inspection Survey required by the Beltsville Area Veterinary staff.  

       •4.   Statutory Authority:

 In accordance with FAR 6.302-1 and 41 U.S.C. 252(c) (1), Only One Responsible    Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

      •5.      Demonstration of Contractor's Unique Qualifications/Nature of Acquisition that Requires use of Authority Cited.

The USDA/ARS requires swine with a highly specific genetic background: a maternal line of pigs with a Landrace x Large White background.  It is essential that the animals have similar genetics to the USDA-ARS MARC herd in Clay Center, NE as we perform collaborative research and similar genetics are essential to permit comparisons.  Their herd is derived from Fast Genetics USA swine.  Performance traits that are essential and unique to these animals include that when bred, these swine produce offspring in litters of greater than 14 pigs born with greater than 13 born alive.  Secondly these animals wean greater than 11.5 piglets/female farrowed; and critical to our research is that preweaning mortality is less fourteen percent for these pigs.  In addition, Fast Genetics USA will immunize their swine prior to shipment to meet the specifications of the USDA-ARS and complete our herd health questionnaire to the satisfaction of staff veterinarians.

6.     FedBIZOPPS Announcement/Potential Sources

Fast  genetics USA, matched all of our specification with respect to animal breed, agreement to immunize prior to shipping, a contract amenable to meeting federal guidelines and cost.

•7.                   7.  Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost:

A web search confirmed that the price quoted from Fast genetics USA is the most reasonable price for swine which meet our unique specifications for genetics and for providing appropriate immunizations necessary to enter our facility.

       •8.      Market Survey: 

Fast Genetics USA has unique qualifications to provide genetics similar to the USDA-ARS MARC herd in Clay Center, NE.

        •9.      Additional Support:

  No other information is available.

•10.   Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition:

USDA will continue to search and evaluate offerings to ensure the swine acquired is the best value to the Government.

 I certify that all of the above information is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

SIgned: John Wilkinson, Purchasing Agent and Contracting Officer for the above requirement.