SWF JA Phase One Screwworm Redacted.pdf
Posted: March 6, 2026
• Type: .pdf
• Size: 2.75MB
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Summary
This Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other than Full and Open Competition specifically addresses the urgent need for the design and construction of a New World Screwworm (NWS) Sterile Fly Production Facility.
The J&A is issued under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(2) and FAR Part 6.302-2, citing "Unusual and Compelling Urgency" as the rationale for limiting the solicitation to five qualified contractors. The facility, located at Moore Airfield in Hidalgo County, Texas, is critical for the USDA's efforts to prevent a potential NWS outbreak that poses significant threats to livestock and wildlife in the United States.
The contract will be a firm-fixed-price design-build standalone agreement aimed at producing up to 300 million sterile flies per week, which is essential for the USDA's Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) program. This program is designed to eradicate NWS infestations that have historically caused severe economic losses in agriculture.
The urgency of this project stems from recent outbreaks in Mexico and Central America, which have prompted immediate action to establish production capabilities that meet stringent biosecurity requirements. The anticipated timeline for constructing the initial capacity of 100 million flies per week is 12-18 months, with further expansions potentially taking up to 48 months.
The document outlines several alternatives considered before opting for this limited competition approach, including full and open competition, extension of existing contracts, and utilizing in-house resources. However, these alternatives were deemed inadequate due to potential delays that could exacerbate the risk of an NWS outbreak, leading to catastrophic economic impacts estimated at $1.8 billion for Texas alone.
The J&A emphasizes that swift action is necessary not only to protect public health but also to safeguard national food security and agricultural stability against a backdrop of increasing threats from NWS infestations.
The J&A is issued under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(2) and FAR Part 6.302-2, citing "Unusual and Compelling Urgency" as the rationale for limiting the solicitation to five qualified contractors. The facility, located at Moore Airfield in Hidalgo County, Texas, is critical for the USDA's efforts to prevent a potential NWS outbreak that poses significant threats to livestock and wildlife in the United States.
The contract will be a firm-fixed-price design-build standalone agreement aimed at producing up to 300 million sterile flies per week, which is essential for the USDA's Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) program. This program is designed to eradicate NWS infestations that have historically caused severe economic losses in agriculture.
The urgency of this project stems from recent outbreaks in Mexico and Central America, which have prompted immediate action to establish production capabilities that meet stringent biosecurity requirements. The anticipated timeline for constructing the initial capacity of 100 million flies per week is 12-18 months, with further expansions potentially taking up to 48 months.
The document outlines several alternatives considered before opting for this limited competition approach, including full and open competition, extension of existing contracts, and utilizing in-house resources. However, these alternatives were deemed inadequate due to potential delays that could exacerbate the risk of an NWS outbreak, leading to catastrophic economic impacts estimated at $1.8 billion for Texas alone.
The J&A emphasizes that swift action is necessary not only to protect public health but also to safeguard national food security and agricultural stability against a backdrop of increasing threats from NWS infestations.
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