R -- Driver(s) for Food Safety Education Vehicle

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), is issuing this Sources Sought/Market Survey Synopsis. The USDA, FSIS, is seeking a Contractor to provide a driver(s) to drive the USDA, FSIS Food Safety Education Vehicle throughout the United States (U.S.) to various food safety education events/meetings. To ensure that consumers have the latest science-based information about the risks associated with mishandling food and to enhance the dissemination of food safety information to Americans nationwide, a Food Safety Education (FSE) Outreach Vehicle will travel to all 15 FSIS districts throughout the year. The FSE Vehicle will appear at State and local county fairs, media outlets--conventions as an exhibit booth, and at USDA/FSIS events in conjunction with visits and presentations by USDA officials. The FSE Vehicle will be scheduled and tracked from FSIS Headquarters in Washington, DC, to coordinate events in the FSIS districts. The Vehicle will be stocked with FSES publications, a grill, food thermometers, along with various visuals and related hardware used to demonstrate food safety practices and principles. Also, the Thermy(TM) and Fight Bac!(R) costumes will be used at food safety events nationwide. The responsibilities of the driver(s) shall be: available possibly 24 hours--7 days a week; responsible for driving, maintenance and cleaning of vehicle; maintain publication/supply inventory; assist in set-up and break-down of display/demonstrations to include loading, unloading, set-up of the RV awning, table, props, and other assistance as needed; some heavy lifting required (less than 100 pounds); the driver must be able to drive a 35-foot long recreational vehicle and possess a commercial drivers license; responsible for shipping materials as needed; maintain condition of costumes; strict adherence of public appearance scheduled is required; and will be working in conjuction with USDA employees, state and local cooperative extension agents, health departments, and educators. The Contract must provide liability insurance in order to operate the vehicle. Travel to possibly start in January 2003 in the U.S. southern states and to work around the southern states during the winter and work in the northern states in spring/summer months.FSIS is requesting Contractors to provide their capability statements, rates, and/or the Contractor's approach to provide a driver to be available 24 hours--7 days a week. All interested parties, questions, and/or correspondence regarding this Sources Sought shall be directed via E-mail to Madonna Langley at madonna.langley@usda.gov, or faxed to 301-504-4276.