Q--Notice intent to Sole Source - WILDLIFE DISEASE 140F0S26Q0003

Notice of Intent for Sole Source Award: The US Fish and Wildlife Service intends to award a sole source requirement to UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA for a 5 year contract for: disease diagnostics and field and laboratory investigations. The diversity of wildlife diagnostic, training and research services provided by the UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SWCDS)) in support of state and federal wildlife agencies would require multiple other institutions of comparable scientific capability to achieve the same scope of work. While many animal disease diagnostic laboratories possess a subset of the diagnostic capabilities equivalent to that available at SCWDS - including such areas of specialty as pathology, immunohistochemistry, microbiology and molecular diagnostics -- no other laboratory serving the southeastern US possesses such research, training and diagnostic expertise in wildlife. Disease often presents differently in wildlife than in domestic animals, and it would be cost prohibitive and burdensome for the Government to find and attempt to patch together similar but disparate and uncoordinated services from the multiple additional institutions needed to otherwise accomplish the required scope of work. SCWDS has expertise and a 60 year history serving state and federal wildlife agencies in wildlife disease diagnostics, field wildlife morbidity and mortality investigations, research to identify and describe the ecology of pathogens in wildlife, course development and training for field personnel. SCWDS is the only laboratory of its kind located in the southeastern United States, and its program is not duplicated by any existing State or Federal Laboratory or Agency operating in the region. Both the Service s Avian Health and Disease Program and the Wildlife Health office have historically received support from this laboratory in the past with excellent results, including the identification of new disease pathogens with significant impact to wildlife. As zoonotic diseases are increasingly transmitted to humans, the comprehensive services provided by SCWDS will uniquely allow the FWS Wildlife Health office to expand support to Refuges and other Program. If you disagree with this sole source, you may submit your argument and a statement of capability to provide power for this requirement for consideration. Responses are due No Later Than 10:00 AM (Pacific Time) on 23 DEC 2025. Questions may be addressed to Robert Sung, Contracting Officer, E-Mail: robert_sung@fws.gov

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY This is a Sources Sought Notice only and it is not a solicitation announcement. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of qualified, potential contractors and their socio-economic size classification in accordance with NAICS code 541380. Responses will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After a review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice, a solicitation announcement may be posted. A response to this Sources Sought Notice is not an adequate reply to a potentially forthcoming solicitation. The US Fish and Wildlife is seeking wildlife disease laboratory services to help meet its objectives to identify existing and emerging wildlife health and disease risks, ensure disease preparedness and prevention, and develop, guide, and implement appropriate and effective management actions, see below work areas. 1. Disease diagnostics Performed on an as needed basis in response to mortality events or project needs including, as necessary, gross and microscopic pathology, radiography, microbiology, parasitology, and toxicology. This also includes annual bison parasitology diagnostics as well as any new/non-routine testing that may come up any given year due to outbreaks or special surveillance programs. 2. Field and laboratory investigations Identification and investigation of diseases impacting wildlife populations; collection and processing of biological specimens for FWS Wildlife Health office regional projects; field and laboratory support to Refuges and other FWS programs. Requirements: The Contractor must have well established long-term working relationships with state and federal government wildlife agencies in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. The Contractor must have a long history of conducting wildlife disease diagnostics and research, a proven track record in professional conduct and delivering results, as well as having the capacity to provide support as outlined in the two items above. If your firm is able to provide the Support Services, please submit your: A. Qualifications B. Experience supporting the above items and a write up of your research identify and describe the ecology of pathogens in wildlife, course development and training for field personnel. C. CAGE code to Robert_Sung@fws.gov

This is a requirement for Wildlife Disease Research and Support Services. See SOW in attached solicitation packet. Vendor will submit: 1. A written narrative showing experience with: i. Disease diagnostics Performed on an as needed basis in response to mortality events or project needs including, as necessary, gross and microscopic pathology, radiography, microbiology, parasitology, and toxicology. This also includes annual bison parasitology diagnostics as well as any new/non-routine testing that may come up any given year due to outbreaks or special surveillance programs. ii. Field and laboratory investigations Identification and investigation of diseases impacting wildlife populations; collection and processing of biological specimens; field and laboratory support to places similar to Refuges and other FWS programs. iii. Expertise in: a. Areas of specialty such as pathology, immunohistochemistry, microbiology and molecular diagnostics in support of the work in the SOW. b. Research, training and diagnostic expertise for the work in the SOW. c. Providing multipurpose wildlife disease research services to both state and federal agencies. Direct all questions to Robert_Sung@ios.doi.gov