Alfalfa Protein Chemical Fractionation - Sources Sought

A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Quote. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources and to determine the capability of Small Business and/or Large Business companies to provide the supplies/services described below. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. Department of Agriculture (ARS) requests responses from ALL socioeconomic categories in order to gain a more complete understanding of the market for these products and service. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition. The NAICS code for the expected acquisition is 541380, with a Size Standard of $16.5 million and the PSC Code is B504. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted as a commercial item purchased in accordance with FAR Part 12 and as a Simplified Acquisition Procedure in accordance with FAR Part 13. The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following services: 001) Alfalfa Protein Chemical Fractionation Scope of Work: The UDSA-ARS Cell Wall Biology & Utilization Research Unit in Madison, WI will be requesting quotes for the protein chemical fractionation of 664 alfalfa variety samples run in duplicate (or 1328 samples). Background: In this project, we will relate genetic characteristics among diverse alfalfa germplasms to protein fractions and ruminal degradability with applications in alfalfa genetic selection and dairy cattle nutrition. Agricultural systems, dairy farming, and cropping systems need to become more sustainable. Alfalfa production and incorporation into dairy cattle diets are uniquely situated to address this sustainability gap. Alfalfa is a perennial crop that promotes soil conservation by reducing tillage and it aggressively suppresses weeds. Alfalfa is known as a high protein forage that can be fed at moderate levels in dairy cattle diets, but the rapid degradability of alfalfa protein often limits its nutritional quality and feeding level. The objective of this study is to relate the degradability characteristics of alfalfa protein to genetic characteristics for enhancing selection decisions. To accomplish this objective, we will use a combination of biological assays (to be conducted by researchers at the Dairy Forage Research Center) and chemical fractionation to evaluate ruminal protein degradation. Conducting the protein chemical fractionation is the subject of this work. Technical Requirements: Alfalfa varieties direct cut from field plots from different growing seasons require chemical analysis (664 samples run in duplicate): 2018-2019, 444 samples; 2020, 220 samples. Samples (444) from 2018-2019 are dried and ground (1mm) and are immediately available for analysis. Samples from the 2020 harvest will be dried and ground prior to submission for analysis. Alfalfa will be analyzed in duplicate for chemical fractions associated with protein degradability and required for utilization in the CNCPS (Higgs et al., 2015) by - wet chemistry methods approved by AOAC International (2005), where available. Specifically, samples will be analyzed for dry matter (method 934.01), ash (method 942.05), N (method 968.06 using Leco N Analyzer, Leco Corporation, St. Joseph, MI), amylase treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF; method 2002.04), NDICP (residual N of aNDF), ADIN (residual N after acid detergent fiber method 973.18 AOAC), protein soluble in a borate-phosphate buffer (Licitra et al., 1996), and ammonia (Muck, 1987) using flow-injection determination by phenol-hypochlorite assay (Broderick and Kang, 1980) or comparable approved procedures. In order for the results of the study associated with these analyses to be most relevant to and utilizable by stakeholders, the laboratory carrying them out must be a reference lab for the NIRS Consortium. Contractor's Key Personnel: The laboratory carrying out these analyses must be a reference lab for the NIRS Consortium. Data Rights: Results of the chemical analysis will be provided electronically to the government scientist (Geoffrey Zanton) in a CSV file. Government Furnished: Uniquely identified and individually packaged alfalfa samples will be provided to the cooperator upon award of the bid. Upon completion of the chemical analysis, unused alfalfa samples must be returned to Geoffrey Zanton at U. S. Dairy Forage Research Center, 1925 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706. Key Deliverables: (1) 2018-2019 Season Samples: Crude Protein Sample; Qty: 888 Ash Sample; Qty: 888 NDF & NDICP Sample; Qty: 888 ADICP Sample; Qty: 888 Soluble CP Sample; Qty: 888 Ammonia Sample; Qty: 888 Results due December 1, 2021. (2) 2020 Season Samples: Crude Protein Sample; Qty: 440 Ash Sample; Qty: 440 NDF & NDICP Sample; Qty: 440 ADICP Sample; Qty: 440 Soluble CP Sample; Qty: 440 Ammonia Sample; Qty: 440 Rersults due April 1, 2022. Delivery Schedule: The cooperator is required to provide monthly progress reports which must include data files for completed analyses (in CSV format) due the 1st of each month. The 444 samples run in duplicate (or 888 samples) from 2018-2019 must be analyzed and have data reported to the ARS scientist by December 1, 2021. The 220 samples run in duplicate (or 440 samples) samples from 2020 season must be analyzed and have data reported to the ARS scientist by April 1, 2022. All submissions will be made via electronic data files sent to Geoffrey Zanton at contact@example.gov. Capability Statement: Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company's ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business. To be eligible, all vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register in SAM. A vendor can contact SAM by calling +1 (555) 000-0000 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. Vendor must include their DUNS# on their capability statements. To be eligible, all vendors must also be registered in SAM under the specific NAICS code listed as part of this sources sought. If a prospective vendor is not registered under the specified NAICS code and would qualify to be registered under it then they must update their SAM registration prior to providing a capabilities statement. Finally, to be eligible, all vendors must be NDAA 889 Certified. If they do not currently have a NDAA 889 Certification, then they must complete the attached NDAA 889 Certification form and submit it with your capability statement so that they can be added to the list of NDAA 889 Certified vendors. Submitting a Capability Statements: Responses should be submitted via email to contact@example.gov by no later than Monday, April 26, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. CST. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Questions should be directed to Aaron Dimeo at contact@example.gov. Disclaimer: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Respondents are also advised that under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of information or provide feedback about any of the information received. After review of the responses received, the Government may issue a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation. No proprietary, sensitive, confidential or classified information shall be included with your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation.