81--29LP/POLY-COATED PAPER

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), specifically the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program in Phoenix, Arizona, is entering into sole source negotiations with Oliver Products Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to procure 80 rolls of a specialized poly-coated paper product. This paper, designated as 29LP/Poly-coated, is a 25-gram medical packaging grade fiber-free peelable lidding material that meets stringent requirements, including specific moisture vapor and oxygen transmission rates critical for the successful rearing of Pink Bollworm (PBW) specimens. The material must also include a non-toxic hot melt sealable adhesive compatible with rigid PVC plastic, ensuring a sterile barrier essential for PBW containers. This acquisition is justified under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 for sole source procurement based on the unique ability of Oliver Products to fulfill these specialized requirements, with no alternative sources available. The procurement will follow the guidelines of FAR Part 12 for commercial item acquisitions and is not open for competitive bidding, as detailed under the NAICS code 322221. Interested parties with questions are directed to contact the contracting officer via email. The contract, referenced as solicitation number PR154041 and posted in early 2008, is managed under the Department of Agriculture office based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.