Sources Sought for Environmental Sampling and Microbial Analysis

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability and capability of small businesses (including certified 8(a), Small Disadvantaged, and HUBZone firms; veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and women-owned small businesses) to perform environmental sample collection and microbial analysis of regional, national and international areas important to pre-harvest produce safety. The Contractor's capability statement shall demonstrate the company's ability to meet the following requirements. Please provide a detailed description of your company's (including its teammates, if applicable) experience and demonstrated abilities to deliver the services as indicated in the attached Statement of work. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE Base - 09/30/2013 to 09/29/2014 Option Year One - 09/30/2014 to 09/29/2015 Option Year Two- 09/30/2015 to 09/29/2016 Option Year Three - 09/30/2016 to 09/29/2017 Option Year Four - 09/30/2017 to 09/29/2018 Option years, if exercised by the Government, are 12-month periods that occurs consecutively following the base year. Responses to this notice shall be limited to 5 pages, and must include: 1. Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and FAX numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. 2. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. 3. Business size for NAICS 541712 (size standard $ or number of employees) and status, if qualified as an 8(a) firm (must be certified by SBA), Small Disadvantaged Business (must be certified by SBA), Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA), and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (must be listed in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages). 4. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number, and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.). Companies also must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be considered as potential sources. 5. If applicable, identification of the firm's GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. 6. If the company has a Government approved accounting system, please identify the agency that approved the system. Please submit copies of any documentation such as letters or certificates to indicate the firm's status (see item #3, above). Teaming arrangements are acceptable, and the information required above on the company responding to this announcement, should also be provided for each entity expected to be teammates of the respondent for performance of this work. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure. This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, Solicitation, Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained in this announcement. This request is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this announcement. Responses to this notice must be received via email to Contract Specialist Tomeka Evans at email address Tomeka.Evans@fda.hhs.gov no later than 1:00 PM Eastern Standard time on Friday, June 7, 2013 for consideration. Responses to this announcement will not be returned, nor any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. However, information obtained as a result of this announcement may be reflected in the subsequent solicitation, and the FDA may contact one or more respondents for clarifications and to enhance the Governments understanding. This announcement is Government market research, and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses.