Developing rearing conditions and technology for the assessment of in-fruit and in-vitro cold tolerance of pests of concern

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has a requirement to develop rearing conditions and technology for the assessment of in-fruit and in-vitro cold tolerance of at least three (3) pests of concern to the CFIA. The pests must include at least one (1) of: Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth), Epiphyas postvittana (light-brown apple moth), Rhagoletis pomonella (apple maggot), Grapholita molesta (Oriental fruit moth), and Cydia pomonella (codling moth), and may include any of Chrysodeixis chalcites, Anthonomus eugenii (pepper weevil), Cydia funebrana (plum moth), Grapholita packardi (cherry fruitworm), Acrobasis (=Mineola) vaccinii (cranberry fruitworm), Conotrachelus nenuphar (plum curculio), Lycorma delicatula (spotted lanternfly), Halyomorpha halys (brown marmorated stink bug), and Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth). After colonies are established or the rearing conditions tested and found suitable for cold-tolerance testing, the cold tolerance testing will be offered as an option. The period of the Contract is from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 inclusive, with the option to extend for one (1) additional one-year period.  Note: The contractor must ensure that the facilities to house non-native plant pest insects satisfy the criteria of the CFIA. Mandatory Requirements: ·The bidder must have published a minimum of one article referring to housing and rearing plant pest insects. ·The bidder must have published a minimum of one article concerning determining the temperature limits of cold tolerance testing of insects. ·The bidder must have imported a minimum of one non-native insect for the purposes of laboratory confinement and research.