The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR Part 13.104, with Fisher Scientific, Hanover Park, IL for eleven (11) TSX Universal Series Ultra-Low Freezers for use at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) located in Ft. Collins, Co.

The Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Project at the National Wildlife Research Center is collaborating with multiple agencies and stakeholders to perform research of the prion-based Chronic Wasting Disease affecting North American cervids. This disease is of particular concern, as also identified by Congressional funding initiatives, and is correlated with mule deer and white-tailed deer population declines in Wyoming and other Western regions.

One aspect of this work involves maintaining biological samples, indefinitely, for testing with existing and potential future assays. Standard storage for CWD biological samples is at ultra-low temperature (<-70C). Repeated freeze-thaws, resulting from unstable storage conditions, severely compromises sample integrity.

These services will be procured as a commercial item in accordance with the procedures in FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items) and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). The sole source determination is based on Fisher Scientific having prior work experience with USDA APHIS and currently the only manufacturer that provides the TSX Universal Series Ultra-Low Freezers. The anticipated total value of the purchase order is $178,557.06.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. All interested parties may contact the Contract Specialist listed below. Responses must be submitted electronically, via email, to Margaux.G.Nenichka@aphis.usda.gov. The deadline for the submittal of responses is 8:00 AM eastern time, July 29th, 2024

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