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Sources Sought Notice

PIT Tags and PIT Tag Readers

Sources Sought #1106344-SS

This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ.

Background: The USDA ARS National Cold-Water Marine Aquaculture Center’s Shellfish Genetics Lab (Kingston, RI) is currently developing an eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, breeding program for the Northeast area. This program will be a family-based breeding program that utilizes the deployment of tens of thousands of oyster seed from various family crosses to a multitude of local oyster growers in the Northeast area.

Once the oyster seed is created in our oyster hatchery and is large enough to be deployed to the oyster farms, each oyster will be individually tagged with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag, a type of radio frequency identification device (RFID), so their growth and survival can be monitored.

Our lab currently uses Biomark PIT tags, and Biomark PIT Tag readers and we are requesting 2 more PIT tag readers and 30,000 PIT tags to increase the throughout of this project.

Specifications:

Title: Pit Tags and Pit Tag Reader

Technical requirements:

PIT tags:

1. PIT tags (min and max size requirements) are 9mm Length x 2.12mm Diameter. – this is because they need to fit on a specific size of oyster seed.


2. Biocompatible glass encapsulation – proven to be compatible with the epoxy system we use to attach to the oysters.


3. Must be compatible with Biomark HDR Lite PIT tag readers.

PIT Tag reader:

1. Compatible with Biomark HPT9 PT tags


2. Portable handheld radio frequency identification (RFID) PIT tag reader


3. Drop resistant and waterproof housing – will be used in the field in wet and muddy environments.


4. Memory for storage of over 50,000 tag IDs, each with a corresponding date/time stamp – We will be reading out thousands of oysters in a day/week and will need to store a lot of data before downloading it. We will need the date and time stamp for future reference.


5. Internal 7.2V lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack - needed for field work and compatibility with our field battery pack Jackery power supplies. This is in case the reader’s battery dies in the field it can be hooked up to our Jackery power supply to charge while in the field.


6. Backlit LCD high-contrast easy to view screen – This is in case we are working at dawn or dusk so we can see the screen.


7. Visual, audible, and vibrating indication of a tag detection – This is needed to know the tag has been read successfully and that the operator can move on to the next sample.


8. Bluetooth wireless communication – Needed for ease of data retrieval.

Delivery Address:

Attn: Kathryn Lundgren

USDA ARS NCWMAC

Shellfish Genetics Lab

120 Flagg Rd.

460 CBLS

Kingston, RI 02881

The Contractor Shall:

This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government.

Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources including any Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses. Please state if you are a large business or a small business according to the NAICS code listed in this Sources Sought.

All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response defines how it can specifically meet the specifications for the items requested. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, a Combined Synopsis solicitation notice may be published on Sam.gov.

Submit the Following:

• Your response should define how you can specifically meet the specifications for item(s) requested.

• Please state Place of Manufacture for item submitted.

• Identify if you are a large business or a small business with NACIS 334220.

Original Point of Contact: All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by August 1, 2023, by 9:00 AM EDT, the specified due date and time to be considered.

Email responses to Elizabeth Wilson at Elizabeth.Wilson2@usda.gov.

Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.

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