USDA New World Screwworm Diet Components - Request for Information (RFI)

Background
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market research for establishing a solicitation for contractor support. The goal is to create multiple award, nationwide, Firm-Fixed-Price Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) for New World Screwworm larva and adult fly diet ingredients. This initiative supports the USDA APHIS sterile production facility located in Edinburg, Texas. The procurement is prioritized under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) regulation to ensure resources for the New World Screwworm Sterile Fly Production Facility.

Work Details
The contractor is required to supply two main products:
1) AP301, or equal, Spray Dried Bovine Hemoglobin and
2) Readycob 20/40, or equal, processed corn cob flour excipient.

The specifications for Spray Dried Bovine Hemoglobin include:
- Color: Reddish brown
- Appearance: Homogeneous, free of dust burnt or foreign particles
- Drying technique: Spray Dried
- Granulometry: ≤ 5.0% retention on No. 70 sieve
- Solubility: ≥ 85.0%
- Humidity: ≤ 6.0%
- Ash: ≤ 7.0%
- pH: 7.0 - 8.5
- Protein: ≥ 85.0%
- Fat: ≤ 1.0%
- Must be less than two months old at delivery.

Packaging requirements include 25 kg polybags with specific markings and palletization of maximum 50 bags per pallet.

For Readycob 20/40 corn cob flour, specifications include:
- Material Description: Processed in a hot-air dryer at approximately 250 °C.
- Particle Size: Predominantly 20–40 US Mesh with approximately 94% distribution.
- Equilibrium Moisture (29°C / 75% RH): Approximately 13.7%.
- Density: 250 to 415 kg/m³.
- Nutritional Characteristics include Crude Protein approximately 2.11%, Acid Detergent Fiber approximately 43.7%, and Digestible Energy approximately 2004.6 kcal/kg DM.

Period of Performance
Delivery dates will be established during calendar year 2026 via written request.

Place of Performance
Products will be delivered to the USDA APHIS sterile production facility in Edinburg, Texas.

Bidder Requirements
Contractors must meet specific technical requirements for product quality and consistency as outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). There are no government-furnished equipment or facilities required for this procurement.