Agar Agar Powder   2

Background
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) Plant Protection Quarantine (PPQ) intends to award a five-year Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract not to exceed $1,000,000.00 for Agar Agar Powder.

This contract supports the USDA APHIS PPQ Services Program located at 22675 N. Moorefield Rd., Edinburg, TX, 78541. The Agar Agar powder is essential for the production of adult fruit fly artificial diet, aiding in the development of healthy specimens before release.

The Mexican Fruit Fly Rearing Facility has been operational for over 28 years and currently produces 150 million pupae weekly.

Work Details
The contract involves the delivery of Agar Agar Powder with the following specifications:
- Product Composition: Water-soluble extract of Gelidium or Gracilaria seaweed.
- Maximum total ash: 6.5% (dry weight basis).
- Maximum acid-insoluble ash: 0.5% (dry weight basis).
- Weight loss when dried at 105 degrees Celsius for five hours: no more than 20%.
- Particle size: over 75% must pass through #60 U.S. standard sieve.
- Gel strength: minimum of 1100 grams per square centimeter.
- Gel point: between 32 to 45 degrees Celsius; melting point: between 85 to 91 degrees Celsius.
- Must dissolve in boiling water within 5 minutes.
- Microbial content must not exceed 10,000 microorganisms per gram and be free from contaminants.

Delivery Schedule:
- Ordering Periods consist of:
- Period 1: Contract Award Date through Month 12 - 1,500 KGS
- Period 2: Month 13 through Month 24 - 1,500 KGS
- Period 3: Month 25 through Month 36 - 1,500 KGS
- Period 4: Month 37 through Month 48 - 1,500 KGS
- Period 5: Month 49 through Month 60 - 1,500 KGS
Total estimated quantity is approximately 60 bags (25 kg each) per year with a minimum quantity of 1,250 kgs and a maximum quantity of up to 2,000 kgs annually.

Period of Performance
Five years from the date of contract award.

Place of Performance
Deliveries will be made to USDA APHIS PPQ at Warehouse Building #6420, Moore Air Base, Edinburg, TX, with shipments being FOB Destination.