Nationwide Baseline Data Collection Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) is seeking small businesses capable of conducting analysis for microbiological baselines for samples derived from beef, other meat products, and poultry. Analysis must be performed in accordance with International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) Standard 17025 and analysis must be performed using the methods of the FSIS Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook and the Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) The laboratory must also be certified to handle select agents and toxins under the Center for Disease Control's Select Agent Program. Finally, contractors mus also demonstrate the ability to handle a large volume of samples which may exceed 3,000 per task/baseline. If you are a source capable of providing such a service, please respond with your company information including a capability statement. This notice is not a request for proposals and the Government does not intend to pay for information submitted. 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 in FSIS's assessment of capable sources. Responses should be submitted by 2 P.M October 28, 2011. Faxed responses are not permitted. Questions concerning this announcement may be submitted via email only, no telephone inquiries will be honored.