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This is a Notice of Intent and is published for informational purposes only. The USDA, ARS, National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center intends to award, on a sole source basis, a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order to Kennebec River Biosciences to provide Salmonid, and Lumpfish Fish Health Testing Services required for disease certification of NCWMAC broodstock. 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 Ranavirus, 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)

Lots: 10-15 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Atlantic salmon;

4 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year, Lumpfish

Broodstock Spawning Testing

Lots: 1-2 lots of 60 fish for lethal testing per year (Atlantic salmon)

1 lot of 30 fish for lethal testing & 30 ovarian fluid testing per year (Lumpfish) Kennebec River Biosciences is an approved laboratory certified to conduct diagnostic testing in support of Export Health Certification of Aquaculture Species by the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, (USDA-APHIS). They are the only laboratory approved by the USDA to conducted testing for Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV) using virus isolation, RT-PCR, and IFAT which are all required as part of our routine testing.

This sole source contracting action is pursuing the sole sourcing as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13 .106-1 (b)(1)(i) only one source reasonably available.

This is a notice of intent and not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation is available for this requirement. However, all responsible parties may submit their interest and capability to meet the requirements by submitting a capability statement or exception to the intent to purchase on a sole source basis by January 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM EST via email to falcon.albino@usda.gov. A determination by the Government to compete 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.