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This is a sources sought notice as a means of conducting market research. The USDA APHIS is seeking all interested sources capable of providing 6000 ft of Nitrile Rubber with Cotton Center Material. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 32515 Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing. The size standard for this code is 1000 employees for determination of small business status. Product Service Code is 8305. The specifications for the product are as follows;

Purpose:

The Mexican Fruit Fly Rearing Facility (MFFRF) located at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, TX is seeking to purchase 6,000 ft (30in wide) Black Nitrile Double surfaced with Cotton centered. The expected life of the material, once installed in a colony cage, is approximately 6-8 months. In addition, this material can be easily sanitized by traditional means and does not provide an environment for nematode and microscopic worms to thrive which the absence of these entities is critical for the mass production of good quality eggs and flies. This material can be stored safely in our warehouse and maneuvered without special machinery or harm to employees as they move it. The acquisition of this specific material is very important and critical for the functionality and continuity of operations for our program and facility. This material is used on two sides of each of our fifty (50) colony cages that hold fertile male and female Mexican fruit flies, Anastrepha ludens, where mating occurs. After insemination, the fertile females deposit fertile egg masses using her ovipositor that penetrates the material and deposits eggs that are harvested seven days per week. The material mimics the skin of a citrus fruit in thickness, flexibility, and texture to the mass reared flies. The harvested eggs are incubated for four days and then prepared for infestation on artificial diet. This specific material has been successfully used for years and has proven of the perfect thickness, flexibility, and texture that the females accept and will readily deposit egg masses.

Specifications: 6000ft L X 30in W X 0.45-0.50mm H

1. Black Nitrile Poly/Cotton (double sided nitrile with cotton center) Material

2. 30in wide

3. 6000ft long (2,000 Yards)

4. 0.45-0.50mm thick

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There is no solicitation at this time. This is only a sources sought for market research purposes; responses will be used to determine whether this requirement may be set-aside for small business or procured through full and open competition. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for quote; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred.

If you are an interested vendor, please provide the following information:

1) Business name and contact information

2) Business Size and confirmation of registration in SAM.gov by providing your SAM UEI Code

3) Capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of meeting specifications of the bio assayed toasted soy flour

Electronic responses are required. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Interested parties who provide this product in accordance with the specifications provided are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice no later than Friday, January 20th, 2023 at 3pm CT. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to Samantha Johnson at, samantha.johnson3@usda.gov.