Synthetic food-based lures for the attraction of various fruit flies including Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), has a requirement for synthetic food-based lures for the attraction of various fruit flies including Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies. We are seeking to procure two formulations of solid matrix lures, each in single presentations: a synthetic food-based three-component dispenser and a synthetic food-based two-component dispenser. The contractor shall supply the following:

Synthetic food-based three-component (3C) lures: These specifications present criteria used to determine whether new lots of three-component lures can be used to effectively capture female fruit flies for a period of 4 weeks. The size of the dispensers shall not exceed 2” in height, 5/8” diameter at the smallest end, and 1” diameter at the widest end. Initial total content (n = 5 average) ammonium acetate equal to or greater than 3.5 +/- 0.350 grams putrescine equal to or greater than 0.50 +/- 0.050 grams trimethylamine equal to or greater than 0.65 +/- 0.065 grams Initial mass percent (n = 5 average), calculated as follows:

% mass= avg. initial mass of componentavg. total mass (cones)*100% ammonium acetate equal to or greater than 20% +/- 2.00 putrescine equal to or greater than 2.8% +/- 0.28 trimethylamine equal to or greater than 3.5% +/- 0.35 Synthetic food-based two-component (2C) lures: These specifications present criteria used to determine whether new lots of two-component lures can be used to effectively capture female fruit flies for a period of 8 weeks.

The size of the dispensers shall not exceed 2” in height, 5/8” diameter at the smallest end, and 1” diameter at the widest end. Initial total content (n = 5 average) ammonium acetate equal to or greater than 3.5 +/- 0.350 grams putrescine equal to or greater than 0.25 +/- 0.025 grams Initial mass percent (n = 5 average), calculated as follows:

% mass= avg. initial mass of componentavg. total mass (cones)*100% ammonium acetate equal to or greater than 20% +/- 2 putrescine equal to or greater than 1.4% +/- 0.14 This sources sought notice is being publicized to determine if there are any large or small businesses with the capability of providing the 2C and 3C lures with the requirement outlined above. The USDA is currently only gathering information at this time.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 325414. This is not a request for quotes, but market research for a potential future acquisition to determine if there are any large or small businesses capable of providing a synthetic food-based three-component dispenser and a synthetic food-based two-component dispenser for 2C and 3C lures. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established.

The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide. If you are an interested vendor, please provide the following information: Business name and point of contact UEI number Business size A brief Statement of Capability (no more than two pages) which demonstrates the ability to provide the specialized 2C and 3C lures. Any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope. Each reference should include:

A description on the degree of work self-performed. Past performance references with names and phone numbers. If the company is a small business, explain how they would comply with the requirement FAR 52.219-14- Limitations on Subcontracting Emailed responses are required. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit information are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature.

Responses to this notice are due no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Friday, May 17th, 2024 to the attention of Mario Garcia, Contract Specialist, via e-mail: mario.garcia2@usda.gov. All questions regarding this notice must also be directed to the point of contact in this notice.