99 -- Notice of Intent to Negotiate with Elisa Technologies, Inc.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to negotiate solely with Elisa Technologies Incorporated, located at 4581-L NW 6th Street Gainsville, FL 32609-0708, to obtain Elisa-Tek Cooked Meat Species Kits. FSIS requires beef, deer, pork, poultry, sheep and horse kits. Elisa Technologies Inc. is the only known source which can provide the required cooked species kits. The required kits are USDA method specific; the protocol used for these kits is outlined in the USDA/FSIS Microbiology Lab Guidebook found at the following internet address: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ophs/microlab/mlg17.02.pdf USDA, FSIS has performed extensive validation on these kits and has identified Elisa Technologies as the only company that includes controls that are individual species antibodies with each kit instead of all inclusive species antibodies. To further explain, the controls are specific to each kit (ex. the deer control is for the deer kit, and the beef control is for the beef kit, etc.) instead of having one general control applicable to each type of kit. This procurement will be conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). The kits will be shipped to our Eastern Lab which is located in Athens, GA. It is anticipated that this procurement will be conducted as a Commercial Item acquisition under FAR Part 12. It is also anticipated that an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will be awarded. The period of performance will be for a 12 month base period plus four (4) additional 12 month option periods. This is not a request for quotations or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Request for copies of this solicitation will not be honored or acknowledged. The Government does not intend to pay for information received. All interested parties must respond within ten (10) calendar days from the date of this notice. Written responses must provide clear and concise documentation indicating your firms capability to provide the necessary kits. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. When responding to this announcement, respondents should refer to Announcement #27110. If after January 30, 2006, no viable responses have been received in response to this announcement, USDA/FSIS shall negotiate solely with Elisa Technologies Inc.