Sterile Bags for FSIS Laboratories

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding Solicitation 123A9426Q0014 for Sterile Bags for FSIS Labs.

• Previous Incumbent: The government confirms there was a previous incumbent for these services but will not disclose their identity or related information. Vendors are encouraged to submit a FOIA request for this data.
• Proposal Submission: Quotations should be submitted via email. Specific instructions for "Quotation Submission Deadline" can be found on Page 11 of Attachment 1 – Solicitation Continuation 04172026.

This Q&A clarifies the submission method and directs vendors to a specific section for deadline details. It also addresses the status of the contract regarding previous incumbents.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the procurement of sterile bags for use in multiple USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Field Service Laboratories (FSLs). These bags are essential for sample enrichment and pathogen recovery in regulatory testing of meat, poultry, and egg products. The procurement aims to consolidate purchasing requirements across all FSIS laboratories to achieve economies of scale and ensure consistent quality of testing supplies.

• Various types and sizes of sterile bags are required, including:

  • Plain wire-close bags
  • Gusseted bottom wire-close bags with write-on strip
  • Plain wire-close bags with species sponge
  • Wire-close bags with filter
  • Wire-close bags with write-on strip
  • Perforated-Top plain blender bags
  • Wire-close bags with write-on strip and sponge sampler
  • "Species sponge bags" containing a natural cellulose dry sponge
  • Sterile poultry templates

• Bags must be manufactured in the United States of America.

• Materials should be clear, strong co-extrusion low-density and linear low-density, virgin polyethylene.

• Bags must have a strong perimeter seal, tear-strip opening, and wire closure (except for plain blender bags).

• Specific requirements for filter bags, gusseted bottom bags, and fill-line bags are detailed.

• Technical capability will be evaluated based on meeting or exceeding salient characteristics and providing sufficient descriptive literature.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a base period and four one-year option periods.

• Total Duration: Not to exceed five (5) years.

• Ceiling Price: To Be Determined after Award.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• Pricing: Offerors must provide pricing for the base period and all option periods. Pricing will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

• Technical Acceptability: Products must meet or exceed salient characteristics. Failure to do so will result in technical unacceptability.

• Past Performance: Will be evaluated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

• Quotation Submission Deadline: May 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time via email.

• Questions Deadline: April 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time via email.

• Several clauses related to small business concerns, HUBZone, and Buy American are included, indicating potential set-aside considerations or preferences.

• Attachment 2 – Statement of Work (SOW) provides a complete list of requirements.

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and USDA Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference and apply.

• Offerors must include their Unique Entity ID (UEI) and country of origin for all items.

• F.O.B. Destination is requested for all deliverables.

• Shipping instructions to three laboratory locations are provided.

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requires sterile bags for regulatory testing of meat, poultry, and egg products across its Eastern, Western, and Midwestern Laboratories. This procurement aims to consolidate purchasing for economies of scale and ensure consistent quality.

The contractor will supply various types of sterile, "whirl-top" bags manufactured in the USA. Key requirements include:

• Made from clear, strong co-extrusion low-density and linear low-density virgin polyethylene.

• Capable of withstanding temperatures up to 82° C and freezing.

• Features like tear-strip opening and wire closure (except for plain blender bags).

• Specific bag types include:

  • Filter bags with a 330-micron perforated polyethylene third layer.
  • Gusseted bottom bags capable of standing unsupported.
  • "Fill-line" bags with markings for specific fill weights.
  • "Write-on" bags for labeling.
  • Bags containing pre-moistened samplers (10 mL Buffered Peptone Water or 10 mL D/E Neutralizing Broth).
  • Species sponge bags with a natural cellulose dry sponge.
  • Sterile poultry templates.

• A wide range of sizes and mil thicknesses are specified for each bag type.

• Bags must be sterile and have a strong perimeter seal.

• Upon receipt, bags must pass sterility checks and perimeter seal integrity tests.

• A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is required with each shipment, verifying appearance, sterility, product details, lot number, shelf life, and responsible party signatures.

• Bags must have a minimum of 1-year shelf life from the date of receipt.

• The contract type is Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a base period and four 1-year option periods.

• Delivery orders will be placed against this contract.

• Delivery must be within 14 days of the receipt of a Delivery Order (DO).

• Delivery locations include laboratories in St. Louis, MO; Albany, CA; and Athens, GA.

• All bags must be manufactured in the United States of America.

• Packaging must be in protective outer cartons, clearly labeled with product details, lot number, sterilization date, expiration date, quantity, and "Made in USA" designation.

• A Project Manager (or point of contact) must be provided.

• The minimum purchase amount is $50,000, and the maximum is $1,500,000.

• Annual Report documenting orders and issues (due 2 weeks prior to the end of the performance period).

• Certificate of Analysis (due at time of delivery for any order).

• Electronic reports must be in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PDF format.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Quote (RFQ) aims to establish an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for sterile bags to be used in all USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) laboratories. The primary purpose is to procure various types of sterile bags, including plain, gusseted bottom, wire-close, filter, and perforated-top bags, in a wide range of sizes and mil thicknesses.

The solicitation details a comprehensive list of sterile bags required, categorized by type and size. Specific bag types include:

• Plain wire-close bags
• Gusseted bottom wire-close bags with white write-on strips
• Plain wire-close bags with species sponge
• Wire-close bags with filter
• Wire-close bags with write-on strip
• Perforated-Top plain blender bags
• Wire-close bags with write-on strip and sponge sampler (including polyurethane sponge with detachable handle and Buffered Peptone Water or D/E Neutralizing Broth)
• Sterile poultry templates

A wide variety of sizes are specified, ranging from 2oz (3"x 5" x2.25mil) up to 184oz (15"x20"x 4mil), with various mil thicknesses (e.g., 2mil, 2.25mil, 2.5mil, 3mil, 4mil).

This is an RFQ for an IDIQ contract. The solicitation outlines potential option years for the contract, suggesting a multi-year requirement. Specific contract type, period of performance, and estimated value are not explicitly detailed in the provided sections but are implied by the IDIQ structure and option years.

• The solicitation issue date is April 22, 2026.
• The Offer Due Date is May 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
• For solicitation information, contact Alexis Galloway.
• For technical assistance, contact TBD.
• Procurement-related questions should be directed to Alexis Galloway at alexis.galloway@usda.gov.

The acquisition is listed as "UNRESTRICTED" with no specific set-aside indicated in the provided fields.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 541380 with a size standard of $19.
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-4 are incorporated by reference and may be attached.
• Payment will be made by the designated office in Block 18a.