The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking the assistance of contractors as part of ongoing response efforts to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) disease outbreak.
Since December 2014, USDA has confirmed several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths).
HPAI cases in wild birds, captive wild birds, backyard poultry or commercial poultry have been reported in Arkansas, California, Indiana, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
USDA has existing contracts in place with many vendors, but is seeking additional support due to the size and scope of the HPAI disease response. Areas where assistance is being sought include: landfills, carbon sources (compost, wood chips, etc.), transportation, heavy equipment, and environmental disposal/hazardous materials handling.
USDA’s contracting office is seeking quotes from contractors in these areas through the request for quote process. Contractors may be contacted directly based on their type of business (NAICS code).
Opportunities are also posted online at www.fbo.gov. Interested firms can search “agency” using “Animal Plant Health Inspection Service” to see a list of current opportunities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections to be low. No human cases of these HPAI H5 viruses have been detected in the United States, Canada, or internationally.
