USDA, ARS, FMOD, BA, Contracting Section, Bldg. 003, Rm. 329, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350

R -- FOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SOL 04-3K47-98 DUE 022398 POC Debra Kaelberer, Contract Specialist, (301) 504-5548 This serves as a Sources Sought Notice and Market Survey to locate additional qualified sources for the purchase, collection, and delivery of individual food samples in connection with a five-year nutrition study. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an announcement of a solicitation and no solicitation package exists at this time. No contract will be awarded as a result of this market survey which is for informational purposes only. The Government will not pay for any materials provided to it in response to this synopsis and submittals will not be returned to the sender. Potential sources are sought to provide for the purchase, collection, and delivery of individual food samples. Foods to be procured will be determined by the government and will be purchased by the contractor and shipped to a designated third party. The sampling plan may include perishable and nonperishable products, prepared or mixed dish products, raw products, canned, frozen or refrigerated products, as well as food service or restaurant items. The contractor will be responsible for purchasing these samples from grocery chains, convenience stores, restaurant or fast food chains, natural food stores, wholesale clubs, and ethnic markets in major metropolitan areas of the United States. The contractor must have the ability to simultaneously purchase and ship products from many cities. Individual food samples will be labeled at the time of purchase according to government specifications and shipped on the day of purchase. Contractor must have the ability to maintain products under the appropriate conditions to prevent breakage, product deterioration or spoilage prior to shipping as well as during the course of shipping. All products must arrive at the designated location in the same condition as which it was purchased by 10:00 a.m. the next day, Monday through Friday. Contractors with the requisite experience in providing the described services are invited to submit a statement of interest which should include specific capabilities,experience, and identification as a large or small business. Companies must demonstrate that they have the capability to perform this service and must provide experience and qualifications in all previous work pertinent to this effort. The applicable Standard Industrial Classification Code for this acquisition is 7389 and the small business size standard is $5 million (annual average gross revenue of the concern taken for the last three fiscal years). Interested sources are requested to submit a package delineating qualifications and capabilities for meeting the requirements described herein to the following address: USDA, ARS, FMOD, AB, Contracting Section; ATTN: Debra Kaelberer; Bldg. 003, Room 329, BARC-West; 10300 Baltimore Avenue; Beltsville, MD 20705-2350. Capability Statement must be received not later than February 23, 1998. (0033)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0081 19980204\R-0023.SOL)