Toronto Carnivor DIet for endangered black footed ferrets Carr, Colorado

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6 plans to award a sole source indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to Milliken Meats, Ltd for the supply of the Toronto Carnivore Diet specifically formulated for endangered black-footed ferrets at the Black Footed Ferret Facility in Carr, Colorado. This contract, issued as a commercial item under FAR Part 12, reflects the Service’s commitment to providing the best nutritional support for the species. Previous diet options, modeled on mink farm programs, presented numerous challenges such as inconsistent availability of components, cumbersome preparation and storage, and health risks to the ferrets. Extensive evaluation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s Black-footed Ferret Species Survival Plan, involving zoo nutritional specialists and clinical feeding trials, identified the Toronto Carnivore Diet as superior in promoting ferret health and welfare. The Service concurs with these findings, recognizing that the Toronto Carnivore Diet not only improves animal health but also offers advantages in terms of ease of procurement, storage, and reduced labor costs. No competitive solicitation is being issued for this contract. The contracting officer responsible for this action is Cathleen DeBerry of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6 in Denver, Colorado. This award underscores the importance of specialized nutritional needs in endangered species conservation efforts and the Service’s reliance on proven, expert-recommended diet formulations to support the black-footed ferret population.