DEVELOPMENT OF SYNTHETIC SCENT TRAINING AID

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) DEVELOPMENT OF SYNTHETIC SCENT TRAINING AID PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT Contents Project 3 General Information 3 1.0 Scope of Work 3 2.0 Background 3 Contractor Requirements 3 3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks 3 4.0 Government Furnished 3 5.0 Deliverables / Schedule 3 6.0 Travel 4 7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel 4 8.0 Security Requirements 5 Project Development of Synthetic Scent Training Aid General Information Scope of Work The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) require a scent-detection training aid for canine bio-detection sensitivity training. The canines will be used to accelerate the detection and eradication efforts of the New World Screwworm. This aid is required to be a non-biological substitute filling a critical gap in PPQ’s training process. Developing a synthetic scent kit that accurately mimics screwworm infestations will allow a safe training process without the possibility of unintentional spread outside of the training facility. Background Animal detection teams are essential for spotting screwworm infestations and protecting overall biosecurity. Training these teams with live or infested material has always carried real biosecurity and ethical risks, which is why a reliable synthetic scent would be a far safer and more consistent option. Major outbreaks in Central America and Mexico are inching dangerously close to the U.S. border. Detection points have been found within 90 to 120 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, triggering strict federal agricultural surveillance and precautionary measures. Current training processes rely on live or infested specimens, creating both safety concerns and inconsistency. PPQ lacks a synthetic screwworm‑detection scent, leaving training less effective than it could be and more hazardous . The goal now is to create and validate a synthetic scent that accurately represents screwworm larvae so detection dogs can identify infestations with greater precision. Without this, detection efforts stay fragmented and imprecise, creating a significant gap in our ability to pinpoint the primary agents driving the infestation. Contractor Requirements Technical Requirements / Tasks Research, collect, and identify the components of New World Screwworm larvae odor composition. Develop synthetic training aids from the New World Screwworm odor profile with an emphasis on performance, cost, and sustained efficacy. Select six (6) promising dog candidates to be trained as professional work dogs capable of detecting and marking the presence of larvae. Validate the synthetic scent performance with repeatable, testing techniques with scent imprinted canines detecting live, infected cattle. Provide a project workplan with objectives and deliverables. Provide a project timeline. Government Furnished There will not be any government furnished equipment (GFE). Deliverables / Schedule Monthly Reports The Contractor shall prepare and submit Monthly Progress Reports for the duration of the period of performance. The report shall be delivered electronically to the Government’s designated Point of Contact, identified at the time of award. Each Monthly Progress Report shall: Document completed work — Provide a detailed summary of all work performed during the reporting period. Outline upcoming work — Identify all tasks planned for the subsequent reporting period. Identify challenges — Describe any challenges, issues, or impediments encountered. Explain resolutions — Provide a statement of actions taken to resolve identified challenges. Propose solutions — Present recommended solutions or mitigation strategies for any unresolved challenges. The Contractor shall ensure that all reports are complete, accurate, and submitted in accordance with the schedule established by the Government. Six Canines The contractor shall provide six (6) canines trained and certified on Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World Screwworm) larvae detection. Synthetic Training Aids The contractor shall provide enough training aids to imprint 6 more canines for 3 months. PPQ will request more training aids be supplied for the duration of the NWS response at an agreed upon price through separate contract actions. Schedule Objective Duration (months) Cost with Overhead Collect & Identify Odor Composition Develop Synthetic Training Aid Dog Selection & Training Testing & Validation Turnover all research documentation Provide training aids Other Factors Travel Required travel will be considered as part of the contract price. Considerations for transporting canines will be considered as part of the contract price. Contractor’s Key Personnel The final proposal should reference positions which are considered key to successful performance of the contract. Resumes are required and provide resume format if appropriate. Insert Contractor’s Key Personnel Here Position Salary Fringe Hours Cost with Overhead Lead Project Manager Developer/Technical Lead Canine Trainer Data Analyst Lab Technician Other Security Requirements F.A.R 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems F.A.R. 227.7103-7 Use and nondisclosure agreement Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions The clauses and provisions contained herein are applicable to any order awarded as a result of this solicitation. The terms and conditions set forth herein supersede all other terms and conditions. Acceptance of the order in accordance with (IAW) FAR 12.201-1(b)(2) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions contained herein. As part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), system upda…