Food Testing Laboratories

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, South East Area, has a requirement for the Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL), Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture which currently compiles and disseminates validated nutrient composition data for foods (see our Web site: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata ). The work includes, but is not limited to, these principal features of work: However, NDL has no laboratory facilities of its own, and relies on other government laboratories, cooperative agreements with university researchers, and contracts with commercial laboratories for the analyses of foods, beverages, and other products. Since 1997 NDL has conducted the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program to generate nationally representative estimates for dietary components (e.g., proximates, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids) in foods and maintains the data in USDA's National Nutrient Databank. Other components such as alcohol, caffeine, theobromine, etc may also be analyzed when appropriate to the food item. The number of analyses for each nutrient or nutrient cluster will depend on their relative contribution to the total nutrient intake. Proposals may be submitted for all nutrients/components or for only single nutrients/components or cluster of nutrients/components. Offerors should only submit proposals for the analyses of nutrients/components for which they have considerable experience and/or demonstrated expertise. Continued procurement and analysis of food samples will proceed in the following four years based on satisfactory contractor performance and availability of funds. Performance Period: The Contractor shall perform services beginning 30 September 2017 - 29 September 2018 for the base period. Four (4) one year options are available to be used which could allow for up to a five (5) year contract. The type of solicitation will be Best Value, using tradeoffs. The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541380, Food Testing Laboratories or services. Small Business Size Standard is $15.0 million. It is anticipated that award will result in a multiple awards, firm fixed-price contracts. This solicitation will be a Request for Proposals (RFP) and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-94. Solicitation No. AG-32SC-S-17-0005 is anticipated that the solicitation package will be at the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) at www.fbo.gov on or about 15 May 2017. Paper copies will not be issued. Offerors are responsible for routinely checking the FedBizOpps website for any possible solicitation amendments that may be issued. The proposed offer due date and site visit will be identified within the solicitation. To be eligible for award, offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. Offerors may obtain information on registration in the SAM at https://www.sam.gov. This project is a full and open competition.