Q -- BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE) TESTING

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) plans to issue sole source follow-on Purchase Orders for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) testing. These orders will utilize Commercial and Simplified Acquisition Procedures and will be awarded exclusively to a select group of institutions, including the University of California Davis, Colorado State University, University of Georgia, Cornell University, Texas A&M University, Washington State University, and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. This approach bypasses competitive bidding to continue established partnerships for specialized testing services. The contract, identified by solicitation number AG-6395-S-06-0027, falls under NAICS code 541380, which corresponds to testing laboratories. The announcement was posted on August 25, 2006, and the point of contact for this procurement is Jason L. Wilking, reachable via email or phone. The contract emphasizes continuity in BSE testing capabilities through trusted academic and veterinary diagnostic entities, ensuring ongoing support for animal health monitoring efforts.