Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source contract in accordance with RFO FAR 6.103-1

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is planning to award a sole-source contract for the procurement of J.L. Shepherd 484C-P, Sub-Model 484R-2D, dual chambered, self-shielded, Cobalt-60 irradiators. The contract is for the New World Screwworm (NWS) Sterile Fly Production Facility at Moore Air Base (MAB) in Edinburg, TX. The facility will be used for the mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile flies to support the Secretary of Agriculture's five-pronged plan of the NWS Readiness and Response Policy Initiative. • The contract includes the procurement of irradiators, maintenance, and Cobalt reloads. • The facility is expected to be operational in 20 months. • The contract is essential for the production of 100 million sterilized pupae/week for Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and 300 million sterilized pupae/week for Full Operating Capability (FOC). • The USDA has received priority rating authority under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) regulation for contracts and orders for the construction and operation of the NWS Sterile Fly Production Facility.