Heat Stress Website Application

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) is seeking to have a cattle heat stress application developed. In order to better serve producers, USMARC researchers would like to have an application developed that would display the map images and offer - push notifications' about extreme conditions. This would allow producers to receive weather warnings automatically and to easily view a forecast map from their mobile device (Apple or Android). The forecast map images are generated at USMARC, and would be provided to the developer twice daily. Attached are additional details and some initial development ideas. High temperatures cause discomfort and heat stress in livestock and humans. Extreme heat conditions can result in livestock losses; livestock housed in outdoor facilities such as cattle feedlots may be especially vulnerable. Extreme heat conditions result from a combination of weather factors (temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation) that contribute to the overall environmental conditions. Livestock weather safety warnings were once offered by the national weather service; however, in the early 1990's that service was discontinued. Researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) developed a webpage to provide weather safety information to cattle producers in the mid 2000's. The page offers a 7-day forecast of conditions that may cause discomfort in feedlot cattle for the continental US (based on digital forecasts provided by the National Weather Service). The page is available at www.marc.usda.gov and clicking "heat stress" or at http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=21306. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items/services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 (current as of FAC 2001-24), as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The NAICS is 541511. The Solicitation number AG6538S130161 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The description of items and clauses incorporated in this synopsis/solicitation are applicable to this procurement and will be incorporated into any resultant purchase order. Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs): CLIN 001 - Development of Heat Stress Application SAM: Vendor must be registered in the System for Award Management prior to the award of the contract. You may register by going to www.sam.gov. You will need to your Tax ID, Duns Number, Bradstreet number and banking information. PAYMENT: Any award made under this solicitation is subject to 31 CFR Part 208 which requires all payments made by the government to be made by electronic funds transfer. Please note on your proposal if you will accept a government purchase (VISA) card. This is a Buy Best Value acquisition. The Government will award a Purchase Order resulting from this Request for Quotes to the responsible offeror whose quote is conforming to the solicitation and represents the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 1. Past Performance - Quotes will be evaluated based on the offeror's past performance as provided by the offeror's references. 2. Offeror's Technical Solution- The Government will evaluate the performance of the offeror's product for capability and performance. 3. Quality and Reliability- Quotes will be evaluated on the offeror's product for its level of Quality and Reliability. 4. Price- The quoted price is fair and reasonable. NOTE: All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price. Factors and sub-factors are prioritized in the following order of importance (i.e. most important first, least important last) for award evaluation 1, 2, 3, 4. The Government will evaluate quotes for award purposes, considering the evaluation factors above, and will award to that offeror whose proposal represents the best value to the Government. All sources wishing to provide a quotation must respond by 3:30 PM, September 25, 2013. Quotations should be addressed to USDA Agricultural Research Service, State Spur 18D Bldg 1, Clay Center, NE 68933. POC Donita Furman, Purchasing Agent, +1 (555) 000-0000. Faxed or emailed responses are acceptable. All responses will be evaluated to determine the company's capability to meet the above requirements. The Government shall award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsive/responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government per FAR 13.106-2.