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

Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice (SSN)

This RFI/SSN is issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for market research purposes. The USDA intends to solicit contractor support for multiple award, Firm-Fixed-Price Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for New World Screwworm larva and adult fly diet ingredients. This support is for the USDA APHIS sterile production facility in Edinburg, Texas.

• NAICS Code: 311514
• PSC Code: 8910
• Related SINs: 311423, 339113, 314120, 325612, 332510S, 332510C
• Document Purpose: This is solely for market research and planning. It is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), and the government is not currently seeking proposals. Responders will not be reimbursed for costs incurred.
• Future Solicitations: Responding to this RFI does not guarantee participation in any future RFP. Any future RFP will be announced on SAM.gov.

The USDA, specifically the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), aims to acquire dietary ingredients for pupae and adult flies to support the New World Screwworm response effort through these BPAs.

Several draft Statements of Work (SOWs) are attached, detailing specific ingredient requirements:

• Carrageenan SOW

• Cellulosic Based Fiber SOW

• Cornhusk Flour SOW

• Dried Egg SOW

• Formaldehyde SOW

• Hardwood Sawdust SOW

• Hemoglobin SOW

• Plasma SOW

• Powdered Milk Substitute SOW

• Sugar SOW

• Interested businesses should respond by completing the provided Request for Information Form.

• The submission deadline is 5:00 PM ET on June 12, 2026.

• Responses should be submitted electronically via the provided link or QR code.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To procure a consistent and high-quality supply of spray-dried bovine hemoglobin for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support biological operations related to larval production.

• Procurement, quality assurance, delivery, and acceptance of AP301, or equal, spray-dried bovine hemoglobin.

• The contractor shall provide a firm-fixed-price supply meeting all physical, technical, packaging, and documentation requirements.

• Product Specifications:

  • 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%
  • Dual Immunodiffusion: Negative
  • No pollutants (liquid agents, bone powder, plant material, soy) and totally preservative-free.
  • Product must be less than two months old at time of delivery.

• Packaging and Palletization:

  • 25 kg polybags, marked with Brand, Place of manufacture, Date of Manufacture, Bagging Date, Lot Number, Expiration date, Weight.
  • 40” x 48” pallet, maximum 50 bags/pallet.
  • Pallets/bags wrapped in plastic.

• AP301, or equal, Spray Dried Bovine Hemoglobin meeting all SOW requirements.

• Certificate of Analysis for each lot submitted prior to shipment.

• Required technical documentation (Technical Data Sheets or Safety Data Sheets).

• Delivery dates to be established via written request in calendar year 2026. Shipment release contingent upon Government approval of submitted documentation.

• The procurement has a priority rating authority under DPAS regulation ("DX-H8") for the New World Screwworm (NWS) Sterile Fly Production Facility.

• Contractor shall designate a primary point of contact.

• Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• All data, documentation, and reports produced shall be provided to the Government with unlimited rights.

• Not explicitly stated, but deliveries are scheduled for calendar year 2026.

• No contractor travel is required.

• None required.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for the procurement, quality assurance, sampling, delivery, and acceptance of #2OR Hardwood Sawdust, or an equivalent product, for use in larval diet production by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• The contractor shall provide a firm-fixed-price supply of #2OR Hardwood Sawdust, or equal.

• The product must meet specified physical, chemical, biological, packaging, and documentation requirements.

• Sawdust is to be packaged in 34-pound (15.5 kg) bags.

• The contractor must provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and approved samples.

• The contractor shall designate a primary point of contact for contract performance, quality, documentation, and delivery coordination.

• Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• Delivery dates will be established during calendar year 2026.

• No contractor travel is required.

• This procurement has a priority rating authority under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) regulation ("DX-H8").

• All data, documentation, and reports furnished under this contract shall be provided to the Government with unlimited rights.

• Section 508 requirements do not apply.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To define the requirements for the procurement, quality assurance, delivery, and acceptance of food-grade white granulated sugar for use in larval diet production by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Provide a firm-fixed-price supply of white granulated sugar.

• Product must meet specific physical, technical, packaging, and documentation requirements.

• The USDA requires a consistent, high-quality supply critical for biological operations.

• This procurement is authorized to use the "DX-H8" priority rating under DPAS for the New World Screwworm (NWS) Sterile Fly Production Facility.

• Appearance: Free-flowing white crystalline sugar.

• Odor: Neutral, free from off-odors.

• Purity (Sucrose): ≥ 99.8%.

• Moisture Content: ≤ 0.10%.

• Ash Content: ≤ 0.04%.

• Color: White, free from discoloration or foreign material.

• Granulation: Standard granulated sugar suitable for feed or biological formulation.

• Contaminants: Must be free from contaminants, adulterants, or foreign materials.

• Suitability: Material shall be suitable for use in biological or feed-related applications.

• Product supplied in sealed bags suitable for dry food-grade materials.

• Each bag must include manufacturer identification, lot number, and date of manufacture.

• Palletized shipments must be shrink-wrapped.

• White granulated sugar meeting all SOW requirements.

• Certificate of Analysis for each lot submitted prior to shipment.

• Technical Data Sheet and applicable Safety Data Sheets.

• Delivery dates will be established via written request from the Government during calendar year 2026.

• Government Furnished: None.

• Travel: No contractor travel required.

• Key Personnel: Contractor shall designate a primary point of contact.

• Security: No specific security requirements apply; contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• Data Rights: Government has unlimited rights to all data, documentation, and reports.

• Section 508: Not applicable.

Statement of Work (SOW)

The objective is to procure a powdered milk substitute for larval diet production to support screwworm eradication efforts by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Manufacture, package, inspect, and deliver a powdered milk substitute suitable for larval diet production.
• The product must meet specific physical, chemical, and biological requirements.
• Packaging: 24-kilogram Kraft paper bags with high-density plastic liners.
• Labeling: Each bag must be marked with brand name, manufacturing location, dates, lot number, net weight, analysis, and expiration date.
• Documentation: Provide Certificates of Analysis for each production lot.

Physical Profile:

• Odor: Characteristic of milk
• Color: Characteristic light yellow
• Appearance: Velvety, Homogeneous Powder, free of hard, burned or foreign particles.
• Granulometry: Max 30% retained on a No. 70 (212 micron) sieve; Min 70% passing through.

Chemical Profile:

• Solubility: >= 70%
• Humidity: <= 6.0%
• Ash: 7.5% Max
• pH: 6.0-6.9
• Protein: >= 20%
• Lipids: <= 2.5%

Contamination: Product must be free of impurities, chemical substances, and foreign matters.

• Delivery location: Edinburg, Texas.

• Delivery dates to be established by written request from the Government during calendar year 2026.

• Product must be less than two (2) months old at time of delivery.

• This procurement has priority rating authority under DPAS (Defense Priorities and Allocations System) with a "DX-H8" priority rating.

• Certificates of Analysis and related documentation provided to the Government grant unlimited rights for review and use.

Statement of Work (SOW)

This Statement of Work (SOW) defines the requirements for the procurement, quality assurance, sampling, delivery, and acceptance of CF-100 Cellulosic Based Fiber, or an equal product, for use in larval diet production.

• The contractor shall provide a firm-fixed-price supply of product meeting all specified physical, chemical, biological, packaging, and documentation requirements.
• The fiber must be manufactured from 100% Grade #9 Over-Issue Newsprint.
• The product must conform to all physical, chemical, biological, packaging, and contamination requirements suitable for larval diet production.

The USDA requires a consistent, high-quality supply of cellulosic based fiber for biological operations related to larval production. This fiber is a critical component of larval diet formulations.

No government-furnished equipment, data, or facilities are required.

• CF-100 Cellulosic Based Fiber meeting all requirements.

• Certificate of Analysis for each batch.

• Technical Data Sheet and Quality Control documentation.

• Delivery dates will be established by written request from the Government during calendar year 2026.

• Product must be less than two (2) months old at the time of delivery.

• Contractor's Key Personnel: A primary point of contact must be designated for contract performance, quality, documentation, and delivery coordination.

• Data Rights: The Government will have unlimited rights to all data, documentation, and reports produced under this contract.

• Section 508: Section 508 requirements do not apply to this procurement.

• Security: No security requirements apply. Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• Travel: No travel is required.

This procurement has been issued priority rating authority under DPAS (15 C.F.R. part 700) with a "DX-H8" priority rating for all industrial resources needed for the New World Screwworm (NWS) Sterile Fly Production Facility.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To procure a consistent and high-quality supply of AP920, or equal, Spray Dried Bovine Plasma for use in larval diet production by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Provide spray-dried bovine plasma meeting specific physical and chemical specifications.

• Ensure product is homogeneous, a velvety fine powder, free of foreign material.

• Meet granulometry (≤ 5.0% retention on No. 70 sieve), protein (≥ 70%), solubility (≥ 85%), moisture/humidity (≤ 6%), ash (≤ 10.0%), pH (7.0 – 9.5), and fat (≤ 1.0%) requirements.

• Product must test negative for Double Immunodiffusion and be less than two months old at delivery.

• Packaging: 25 kg polybags with required labeling, palletized (40” x 48”, max 50 bags per pallet).

• Product must meet all specified physical and chemical requirements.

• Certificate of Analysis required for each lot prior to shipment.

• Technical Data Sheets or Safety Data Sheets must be provided.

• Delivery dates to be established via written request from the Government during calendar year 2026.

• Shipment release contingent upon Government approval of submitted documentation.

• No contractor travel is required.

• Contractor must designate a primary point of contact for contract performance, quality, documentation, and delivery.

• Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• All data and documentation provided to the Government will have unlimited rights.

• This procurement has a "DX-H8" priority rating authority under DPAS for NWS Sterile Fly Facility operations.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide a consistent and high-quality supply of 40% formaldehyde product and associated documentation to support the USDA's larval diet production processes, controlling microbial growth and meeting specific performance targets.

• Supply of 40% formaldehyde in 28 kg tanks.

• Quality assurance support, including providing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) per batch.

• Delivery of the product, ensuring proper packaging and preservation.

• Compliance with physicochemical requirements (pH 3.0–5.0, methyl alcohol 5%–10%) and biological performance targets.

• Coordination of deliveries and removal of empty containers.

• COA per batch verifying compliance with specifications.

• Monthly delivery coordination and reporting.

• Documentation updates for formulation or safety data changes.

Not explicitly stated in the SOW, but implies ongoing support for larval diet production.

• Product must be preserved to prevent spillage or sun exposure during shipment.
• Packaging must include brand, production location, batch number, expiration date, weight, and pictogram labeling.
• The procurement has priority rating authority under DPAS ("DX-H8").
• All data, documentation, and reports furnished under this contract will be provided to the Government with unlimited rights.
• Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To supply spray-dried powdered egg to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) sterile fly production for the biological barrier program.

• Manufacture, package, quality test, document, and coordinate shipment of spray-dried powdered egg.

• The product must meet specified technical and quality standards.

• The effort supports continuous sterile fly production and the screwworm biological barrier.

• Provide spray-dried egg produced from liquid inedible egg.

• Ensure product meets physical characteristics: light yellow color, homogeneous velvety powder, absence of foreign material.

• Meet chemistry requirements: moisture ≤6%, ash ≤6%, protein ≥46%, fat ≥33%.

• Pasteurize product post-drying at a minimum of 140°F for 5 days.

• Package product in 50-pound polybags with required labeling.

• Provide fresh product manufactured less than two months prior to pickup.

• Provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each lot verifying compliance with specified protein, fat, moisture, and ash specifications.

• COA per lot submitted prior to shipment.

• Shipping coordination and documentation aligned with the buyer's delivery schedule.

• The procurement has priority rating authority under DPAS ("DX-H8").

• Contractor shall designate key personnel for manufacturing oversight, quality assurance, logistics, and regulatory compliance.

• Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• All data, documentation, and reports produced shall be provided to the Government with unlimited rights.

• Not explicitly stated, but implied to support operations at the sterile fly rearing facility in Edinburg, Texas.

• No contractor travel is anticipated.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for the procurement, quality assurance, delivery, and acceptance of a specific type of corn cob flour excipient (Readycob 20/40, or equal) for use in larval diet production by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Product: Procure Readycob 20/40, or equal, processed corn cob flour.

• Processing: Material must be processed in a hot-air dryer at approximately 250 °C.

• Key Specifications:

  • Particle Size: Predominantly 20–40 US Mesh (approx. 94% distribution).
  • Equilibrium Moisture (29°C / 75% RH): Approx. 13.7%.
  • Density: 250 to 415 kg/m³.
  • Chemical Composition: Specific ranges for Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Lignin, Ash, and pH are provided.
  • Purity: Product must be free of foreign material, excessive dust, or contaminants.

• Packaging: Sealed bags suitable for feed/excipient, labeled with manufacturer ID, lot number, and date of manufacture. Palletized shipments must be shrink-wrapped.

• Quality Assurance: Contractor must provide a Certificate of Analysis for each lot prior to shipment.

• Documentation: Technical Data Sheet and applicable Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are required.

• Delivery Schedule: Delivery dates will be established in calendar year 2026 via written request from the Government.

• Place of Performance: Not specified in the SOW, but implies delivery to a USDA facility.

• Priority Rating: This procurement has priority rating authority under DPAS for supporting the New World Screwworm (NWS) Sterile Fly Production Facility.

• Data Rights: Government has unlimited rights to all data, documentation, and reports produced.

• Personnel: Contractor must designate a primary point of contact for contract performance and coordination.

• Safety: Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• Government Furnished: None.

• Travel: None required.

• Security: No specific security requirements apply, but facility safety and chemical handling procedures must be followed.

• Section 508: Not applicable.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To procure a consistent and high-quality supply of Kappa carrageenan-based hydrocolloid ingredient (Ricogel 84332B, or equal) for use in larval diet production by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Procurement, quality assurance, sampling, delivery, and acceptance of the specified Kappa carrageenan-based hydrocolloid.
• Contractor shall provide a firm-fixed-price supply.
• Product must meet defined physical, chemical, biological, packaging, and documentation requirements.
• Product must be soluble at 180 degrees Fahrenheit and have a two-year shelf life.

Detailed specifications are provided for:

• Bacteriological Tests: Including limits for Aerobic Plate Count, Yeast and Mold, E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella, and Total Coliforms.

• Mesh Size: Minimum 80% through US#100 Mesh.

• Physical and Chemical Properties: Including Gel Strength (400-1300 gcm), Moisture (0-12%), pH (7-11), and qualitative Texture (Free Flowing Powder).

• Nutritional Information: Specific values per 100g are listed.

• Quality Assurance: A Certificate of Analysis for each lot is required prior to shipment.

• Delivery dates will be established via written request from the Government during calendar year 2026.

• Shipment release is contingent upon Government approval of submitted documentation.

• No contractor travel is required.

• No specific place of performance is stated beyond delivery to the Government.

• Priority Rating: This procurement has priority rating authority under DPAS regulation (DX-H8).

• Documentation: Required technical documentation, including Technical Data Sheets or Safety Data Sheets, must be provided.

• Data Rights: Government has unlimited rights to all data, documentation, and reports.

• Personnel: Contractor shall designate a primary point of contact.

• Safety: Contractor personnel must comply with facility safety and chemical handling procedures.

• Section 508: Not applicable.

• Security: No security requirements apply, beyond facility safety and chemical handling.