RFI LABORATORY CAPABILITIES AND COSTS FOR CONDUCTING MICROBIOLOGICAL AND FAT TESTING

Notice Date

March 27, 2001

Contracting Office

Administrative Office, Livestock and Seed Program, 1400 Independence Avenue, Room 2080-South Bldg., Washington, DC 20090-6456

ZIP Code

20090-6456

E-Mail Address

direct any questions concerning this RFI to Herbert (Herbert.Abraham@usda.gov)

Description

This Request for Information (RFI) is released by AMS. AMS purchases red meat and poultry items for distribution in USDA's food and nutrition programs. Meat and poultry products include fine ground beef, pork, and turkey; coarse ground beef and pork for further processing; and beef and sausage patties. Offers for truckload quantities are solicited and awarded on a weekly or biweekly basis. Contractors, located nationwide, are given a 4-6 week production period. During the production period, contractors must produce and have product analyzed for compliance with specific microbiological requirements. Product samples are tested for maximum limitations for Standard Plate Count, Total Coliforms, E.coli, and the presence of E.coli 0157:H7. Product samples for microbiological analysis are selected and prepared for laboratory analysis in accordance with the applicable chapters of the Compendium of Methods for Microbiological Examination of Foods (third edition) published by the American Public Health Association and/or the "USDA/Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Microbiological Laboratory Guidebook, 3rd edition/1998, Chapter 5" for E.coli 0157:H7 requirements. In addition to the above microbial testing, fat analyses must also be performed. Once prepared, samples are shipped (via overnight service) to a central USDA laboratory for analysis. Tests must be performed and results provided in a timely manner to ensure that only products in compliance with all contractual and specification requirements are delivered on time. The purpose of this Request for Information is to provide an opportunity for Federal, State, and local jurisdiction laboratories, commerical laboratories, and other interested parties to furnish USDA with information on their microbiological and fat testing capabilities, costs, and ability to provide statistical analysis of the test results by contractor (e.g., control charts and histograms). USDA will use the information presented in response to this RFI to determine the feasibility and cost effectiveness of contracting for the microbial and fat analyses required in its red meat and poultry purchases. THIS RFI IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT. REPSONSES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS PROPOSALS NOR WILL ANY AWARD BE MADE AS A RESULT OF THIS SYNOPSIS. All information contained in the RFI is preliminary, as well as subject to modification, and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR Clause 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (April 1998), is incorporated by reference into this RFI, with the following fill-in para c: "obtain information regarding laboratory facilities currently in the marketplace." NO PROPRIETARY DATA SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. ANY SUBMISSION WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND MAY BE HANDLED BY NON-GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL. USDA will acknowledge receipt of information submitted in response to this RFI. Please provide responses to and direct any questions concerning this RFI to HERBERT C. ABRAHAM, CHIEF, LIVESTOCK AND MEAT STANDARDIZATION BRANCH, LIVESTOCK AND SEED PROGRAM, AMS, ROOM 2603-S, 1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, WASHINGTON, DC 20090-6456, TELEPHONE 202-720-4486. EMAIL: Herbert.Abraham@usda.gov ALL FINAL RESPONSES TO THIS RFI SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 11, 2001.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010329/SPMSC008.HTM (W-086 SN50H484)