Listeria Monocytogenes Risk Mapping

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) intends to issue a sole source contract to Cornell University, Office of Sponsored Programs, 373 Pine Tree Road Ithaca, New York 14850-2820 . The period of performance will be 12 months. Cornell University will 1) Expand the input and output capabilities of the current retail Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) cross contamination Risk Assessment model with data and information that are not currently in place and limited in nature such as sub-typing information, laboratory testing data etc. 2) Develop a report describing the data and information necessary to inform and update the current model now, and in the future, with data obtained from retail studies previously conducted by the contractor in New York State and those from proposed studies in additional states. 3) Conduct a risk map of the retail and retail deli environment and validating the risk maps through additional sampling of retail environments by focusing on high areas. 4) Enumerate the test results for modeling purposes and address sub-type information on Lm. and 5) Outline an experimental study that will take place in a controlled laboratory that will mimic a retail facility etc. Cornell University is the only Contractor that can do this work as it was the primary author and innovator of studies that led to new insights regarding Lm contamination in retail facilities in the State of New York. Cornell has displayed expertise with events and actions that take place in a retail environment, and how these events and actions lead to cross-contamination of ready-to-eat products including detection of bacterial and viral pathogens by molecular techniques, molecular epidemiology of human foodborne and animal diseases, and Listeria monocytogenes. This project requires the expertise of Cornell University whose recent research works focused on cross-contamination issues in retail facilities in New York State and potentially additional states in the future. Data from these studies will help populate, improve, and inform the current model with specific inputs and outputs that will ultimately help design and develop adequate policy options to address the problem. The determination by the government to issue a sole source contract is made under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and is solely at the discretion of the Government. This notice of intent is not a Request For Proposal (RFP). In accordance with FAR 5.207(15): All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the Agency. Responses are due by 5:00 p.m. on July 1, 2009. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Responses must be submitted to Crandall Watson, Contracting Officer, at Crandall.Watson@fsis.usda.gov or USDA, FSIS, ASD, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Maildrop 5230, Beltsville, MD 20705-5230. Responses will also be accepted by fax at 301-504-4276.