Fish Health Testing, USDA Agricultural Research Service

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KENNEBEC RIVER BIOSCIENCES. 41 MAIN STREET, RICHMOND, ME 04357 USDA-Agricultural Research Service is conducting research on salmon and lumpfish genetics and breeding at the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) in Franklin, ME. The objective of this requirement is to provide Salmonid, and Lumpfish Fish Health Testing Services required for disease certification of NCWMAC broodstock. Certification must be American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section (AFS-FHS) Bluebook compliant. Scope of work.

This project requires sampling of fish at the NCWMAC, inspection of facilities, and testing of fish. The salmonid testing shall include 1) Necropsy Inspection, 2) Viral Screen Testing, 3) Virology, 4) Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFAT); 5) Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT); 6) HPR0 testing and 7) Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV) and salmonid alphavirus (SAV) screening on Atlantic salmon as required by state and federal regulations regarding the culture and transport of salmonids.

The lumpfish testing shall include 1) Necropsy Inspection, 2) Viral Screen Testing, 3) Virology for Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV), Lumpfish Rana virus, Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) and Noda Virus screening on lumpfish as required by state and federal regulations regarding the culture and transport of lumpfish. Detailed technical requirements (Contractor Requirements).

Provide Salmonid and lumpfish Fish Health Testing Services required for disease certification of NCWMAC broodstock in support of intra-provincial movements. Certification must be American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section (AFS-FHS) Bluebook compliant; and follow Northeast Fish Health Committee Guidelines, State of Maine regulations, Provincial Health Certification Programs.

Testing lab must be approved by USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, (USDA-APHIS) to conduct diagnostic testing in support of Export Health Certification of Aquaculture Species. Fish Health Testing (Atlantic salmon & Lumpfish) The base period and each option period are for a term of one year each.

Base Period: 11 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Atlantic salmon; 3 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Lumpfish Option Period 1: 12 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Atlantic salmon; 3 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Lumpfish Option Period 2: 10 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Atlantic salmon; 3 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Lumpfish Option Period 3: 8 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Atlantic salmon; 3 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Lumpfish Deliverables.

Satisfactory completion of the contract will rest upon (1) sampling of fish for fish health testing, 2) inspection of facilities, and 3) completion and emailing fish health reports to USDA and required agencies.