Identification and Quantitation of Microbiological and Chemical Targets in Samples

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking businesses capable of conducting identification and quantitation of microbiological and chemical targets in samples analyzed during various sample collection programs, including baseline surveys and special studies. FSIS regulated products (meat, poultry and eggs) including minor species, such as duck, lamb, goat and heavy fowl are among the food commodities that will be sampled and the sample type will be rinsates or swabs for microbiological analysis and will include muscle, fat, liver and kidney for chemical residue analysis. The analysis must be performed in accordance with International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) Standard 17025 using the methods of the FSIS Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG), Chemical Laboratory Guidebook (CLG) and the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM). Contractors must also demonstrate the ability to handle sample volumes ranging from 200-3,000 per task/survey. The laboratory will test samples for microbiological targets or chemical residue targets or BOTH. Laboratories will receive samples for an estimated 6 to 18 month timeframe. No subcontracting will be allowed. Microbiological Targets Laboratories will be required to analyze each sample for any and all bacterial targets requested by Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). Some of these bacterial targets may include, but are not limited to, Salmonella species, Campylobacter species, Listeria species, E. coli STEC species, Clostridium species, Staphylococcus species, generic E. coli, coliforms Enterobacteriaceae, and total aerobic plate count (APC). When appropriate, the contractor shall perform analyses in accordance with the most current version of the procedures contained in the USDA/FSIS Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) and C-USDA/FSIS Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook. This document is available on the FSIS Website (http:/www.fsis.usda.gov/Scientific/Microbiological Lab Guidebook/index.asp ) and http://www.fsis/usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/science/laboratories-and-procedures/guidebooks-and-methods/chemistry-laboratory-guidebook/chemistry-laboratory-guidebook). Other resources, such as FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (http://www.fda.gov/Food/ScienceResearch/LaboratoryMethods/BacteriologicalAnalyticalManualBAM/default.htm) and International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) Standard 17025 and AOAC International's publication, "AOAC INTERNATIONAL Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food and Pharmaceuticals, An Aid to Interpretation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005", the NADA methods as specified by FDA during the drug approval process, will be considered as needed. Chemical Residue Targets The laboratory will test for compound that FSIS requests using the USDA/FSIS Chemistry laboratory Guidebook or the NADA methods as specified by FDA during the drug approval process. NRP is the FSIS mechanism to verify that the meat, poultry and egg products do not contain harmful levels of animal drug residues, pesticides, environmental contaminants, and any other chemical hazard. Some of the target chemicals include carbadox in liver, pesticides in fat and melegenstrol acetate in fat. If you are a business capable of providing this service, please respond with your company's information, which should include a capability statement, past experience with the analysis of the same or similar samples (such as rinsates, swab samples, tissues (muscle, liver, kidney and fat), a copy of your ISO 10725 certification, a description of lab (s), facilities, personnel, estimated pricing and any additional information relevant to provide a comprehensive response. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, USDA, FSIS is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that USDA, FSIS, will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Responses should be limited to 1-3 pages. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation of the information received. No contract award will be made on the basis of responses received; however, the information will be used by FSIS as market research to identify capable sources within the industry. Responses should be submitted by 3pm November 7, 2016. Faxed responses are not permitted; responses should only be submitted through https://www.fbo.gov/ . Questions concerning this announcement may be submitted via email by contacting the Contracting Officer at kim.toppin@fsis.usda.gov.