Laboratory Efficacy Study for Pesticide

Trail Hound Supply Co. is seeking a qualified independent entomologist, pesticide efficacy researcher, or private contract laboratory to design and conduct a non-GLP, GLP-like laboratory efficacy study for a finished FIFRA 25(b) minimum-risk pesticide. The resulting study report will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in support of state pesticide registration. This is not consumer product testing or an informal demonstration. We need scientifically credible, reproducible, replicated data and a regulatory-ready final report. Independent consultants and private laboratories are encouraged to apply. University affiliation is not required. PROJECT BACKGROUND The finished product makes mortality and repellency claims against: Fleas Ticks Mosquitoes Flies Ants Spiders The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has provided the following direction: Data must support each applicable mortality and repellency claim. One representative species may be used for each pest class. Adult cat fleas may represent fleas. American dog ticks or another acceptable representative tick species may represent ticks. Separate testing for pet, human, and household use sites is not necessarily required if the selected contact-mortality and repellency methods reasonably represent the labeled uses. Testing must follow sound scientific procedures but does not need to be conducted under formal GLP. The Department has indicated that direct-treatment laboratory testing with treated and untreated-control replicates and observations through 96 hours may be acceptable. The study should be consistent with the AAPCO “FIFRA Minimum Risk Pesticides: 25(b) Product Efficacy Data Guidance.” AAPCO guidance: https://aapco.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/25b-Efficacy-Guidance-w-Effective-Date_5.1.2026.pdf SCOPE OF WORK The selected contractor will be responsible for: Reviewing the current product label, directions for use, formulation information, and the written guidance received from Pennsylvania. Recommending scientifically appropriate representative species and test methods for each claimed pest category. Developing a written study protocol addressing both: Mortality/contact efficacy; and Repellency efficacy. Designing the study to include, at minimum: Testing of the actual finished formulation submitted for registration. Label-representative application rates and exposure conditions. At least three independent treated replicates and three untreated or appropriate negative-control replicates per treatment, species, and applicable efficacy endpoint. Appropriate numbers and life stages of test organisms within each replicate. Documented organism species, strain or source, age/life stage, condition, and handling. Defined mortality, knockdown, repellency, and other applicable endpoints. Mortality observations throughout the study and no later than 96 hours after treatment exposure. Appropriate control-validity criteria. Randomization and blinded observations when reasonably applicable. Documentation of environmental conditions, equipment, product lot number, application method, application amount, exposure period, and any protocol deviations. Appropriate statistical analysis, including control-adjusted calculations where applicable. Predetermined criteria for determining whether the product supports each label claim. Supplying or obtaining the necessary test organisms, facilities, equipment, containers, environmental controls, and testing materials. Providing the proposed protocol to Trail Hound Supply Co. before testing begins so that it can be submitted to Pennsylvania for regulatory review and confirmation. Conducting the testing after written authorization from Trail Hound Supply Co. Producing a complete final study report suitable for submission to a state pesticide regulator. REQUIRED DELIVERABLES Milestone 1 – Protocol Development Review of the product label and regulatory correspondence. Proposed representative species for all six pest categories. Detailed mortality and repellency testing protocol. Experimental design, number of organisms, replicates, controls, endpoints, observation schedule, acceptance criteria, and statistical plan. Explanation of how the proposed testing represents the labeled application methods and use scenarios. Identification of any label claim that cannot be adequately supported by the proposed testing. One reasonable protocol revision following feedback from Trail Hound Supply Co. or the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Testing may not begin until Trail Hound Supply Co. provides written approval of the protocol. Milestone 2 – Study Execution and Final Report Completion of all approved efficacy testing. Raw observations and data tables. Treatment and control results for each tested species and endpoint. Control-adjusted mortality and repellency calculations, where applicable. Statistical analysis using accepted scientific methods. Photographic documentation of the study setup and testing when practicable. Discussion of results, limitations, deviations, and conclusions. A signed final report in PDF and editable format. Names and addresses of the researchers conducting the work. Study Coordinator’s CV or résumé. Copies of the final protocol and all amendments. Reasonable responses to follow-up technical questions from Pennsylvania. One reasonable revision to the final report if requested by the regulator. The final report must clearly identify which mortality and repellency claims are supported by the results. Unsuccessful, inconclusive, and control-invalid results must be reported transparently. HUMAN OR ANIMAL SUBJECTS Our preference is for validated laboratory methods that do not require human volunteers or vertebrate animal subjects. If the proposed methodology involves human participants, dogs, cats, or other vertebrate animals, the applicant must disclose this in the proposal and explain all applicable IRB, IACUC, informed-consent, animal-welfare, insurance, and regulatory requirements. No human or vertebrate testing may occur without prior written approval and evidence of all required oversight. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Applicants should have: An advanced degree in entomology, biology, toxicology, or a closely related field; or substantial directly relevant professional experience. Demonstrated experience designing and conducting arthropod or pesticide efficacy studies. Access to suitable laboratory facilities and the proposed test organisms. Experience with mortality, repellency, behavioral, or product-performance assays. Ability to analyze experimental data using accepted scientific statistical methods. Ability to prepare a defensible, regulator-ready scientific report. Experience with FIFRA 25(b) products, EPA OCSPP 810 product-performance guidance, state pesticide registration, GLP-like study documentation, or public-health pests is strongly preferred. BUDGET Maximum fixed-price budget: $5,000. The proposed price must include all professional time, organisms, laboratory supplies, equipment usage, data analysis, photographs, reporting, and revisions described above. Please provide a milestone-based price separating: Protocol development and regulatory revisions; and Study execution, data analysis, and final reporting. We understand the scope covers multiple pest categories. Applicants must clearly state whether they can complete the entire requested scope within the $5,000 maximum. If any portion cannot be completed within this budget, identify exactly what can be completed, what would remain unsupported, and the additional cost that would be required. Do not submit a vague or preliminary price. APPLICATION QUESTIONS Please answer each of the following: Describe your experience conducting pesticide, insecticide, arthropod mortality, or repellency studies. What representative species would you recommend for fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, ants, and spiders? Describe the mortality and repellency assays you would propose for each pest category. Can your proposed work evaluate both mortality and repellency claims for all six pest categories? How many organisms, treated replicates, and control replicates would you use? How would you determine and document the product’s application rate? What endpoints, observation periods, control-validity criteria, efficacy thresholds, and statistical methods would you use? Do you currently have access to the necessary organisms and laboratory facilities? Would your proposed testing involve human participants or vertebrate animals? If so, describe the required approvals and oversight. Can you provide a redacted example of a prior study protocol or efficacy report? Please attach your CV or résumé and identify the person who would serve as Study Coordinator. Provide your all-inclusive fixed price, proposed milestones, and estimated timeline. Proposals that do not answer these questions or that offer only informal field trials, customer surveys, demonstrations, testimonials, or marketing-oriented testing will not be considered. CONFIDENTIALITY The selected contractor may be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement before receiving confidential formulation or manufacturing information. All study data, photographs, reports, protocols, and deliverables produced under this project will be owned by Trail Hound Supply Co.