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PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES OR PROPOSALS, NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for information solicited

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Services, Veterinary Services Logistics Support Center (USDA/APHIS/NVSL) in Kansas City, MO is seeking capable, qualified vendors for the following requirement:

USDA Approved/Official Half Duplex (HDX) Low Frequency (LF) RFID Button Ear tags (Plastic) (non-840 prefix) for USDA’s Traceability Program. These tags will only be used to identify imported non-U.S. origin cattle, bison, and swine that have lost the Official ID tags from their origin country and require official identification. These Imported Animal Alternative Official ID tags will be printed with a 15-digit number starting with the manufacturer’s code, instead of the 840 prefix.

The Contractor shall provide USDA-approved HDX LF button ear tags to the USDA, APHIS, VS in support of the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Program. The manufacturer must be able to provide tags that are currently approved as official identification for cattle, bison, and swine and have the following modifications:

• Colors: Lime green back and blue button


• “IMP” imprinted next to the U.S. shield (“IMP” will be used an abbreviation for import.)


• 15-digit number series that starts with the 3-digit manufacturer code instead of the 840 prefix

Background

APHIS is proposing to amend the animal disease traceability regulations to require that ear tags be both visually and electronically readable in order to be recognized as official ear tags for the interstate movement of cattle and bison covered under the regulations. This would result in visual-only metal NUES (National Uniform Ear tagging System) tags or visual-only plastic tags not being allowed as official ID in cattle and bison. These official visual-only tags have historically been used to identify imported cattle and bison that lost the official ID tags from their origin country and needed official identification. However, when the amended regulations are finalized, they will no longer be an option. Official RFID tags that use the Animal identification number (AIN) numbering system, also known as 840 tags, also cannot be used for imported animals since the 840 prefix is reserved for U.S. origin animals. Thus, a solution is needed for electronically readable official ID tags that are not 840 tags and can be used for non-U.S. origin imported cattle, bison, and swine that have lost the official ID tags from their origin country and need official identification. Although swine will not be impacted by this change to the animal disease traceability regulations, their industry will also benefit from having an option of electronically readable official ID tags for non-U.S. origin imported animals that require official ID.

Interested sources are encouraged to complete and return Attachment 1 to the contracting office. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Please email all questions regarding subject item(s) prior to Sources Sought closing date to Carol.Dingess@.usda.gov. Small Business concerns are encouraged to participate. This is not a request for competitive proposals, but instead a market research method to determine interested sources. No requests for capability briefings will be honored as a result of this notice. Please provide SAM UEI Number, and point of contact information. The Government will not award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Information or materials provided is strictly voluntary.

Please Email Attachment 1 to Carol Dingess at Carol.Dingess@.usda.gov. Please be sure to include notice # 12639522SS093 on subject line. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Closing date for submissions of Statement’s of Capability is March 17, 2023 at 4:00PM MT.

Anyone wishing to do business with the USDA must also be registered in the government’s System for Award Management known as SAM. Interested parties may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements at https://sam.gov or by calling Central Contractors Registration @ 1-866-606-8220 REGISTRATION IS FREE

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 334419 Other Electronic Component Manufacturing.

The Small Business Size Category is 750 Employes

The Government intends to provide all information regarding this notice via this web site . The Federal Government is not responsible for notifications to offerors regarding notices, solicitations or amendments. It is the Vendor’s responsibility to check this web site https://sam.gov periodically for updates. Telephone and email requests will not be accepted

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