This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this Notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation: quotes are being requested and written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12612120Q0004 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-05. This solicitation will be 100% Total Full and Open. The associated NAICS code is 111150, with a size standard $1MIL and the PSC code is AA31. This acquisition is for the following items as identified in the Contract Line Item Contractor will identify several areas of farmland of specified size and quality requirements within specified Iowa Counties and make them available for use by ARS. The government intends to award on firm fixed contract. The land will be prepared for planting of corn with appropriate tillage, herbicide application and fertilizer. Additional weed and pest control measures will be provided during the season as needed. Contractor will take possession of harvested grain at the end of the season and provide transportation of the grain from the field site. Contractor must identify suitable locations for research plots according the following specifications. The research plot must be of homogeneous soil type, high yield potential, good drainage, and less than 3% slope. No part of the research plot should be highly erodible, contain large non-tillable areas (that cannot easily be farmed around), contain small areas of differing or poor quality soils such as high sand or gravel content, be prone to surface water accumulation (wet-holes or areas where ponds form), or have the potential for receiving runoff from animal facilities. The entire research plot should be within an area planted to soybeans in the previous year. Surface and or solid manure applications should be avoided. The research plot should be located in a field that is being used in the current growing season for conventional corn production, grown by the provider. Space must be provided at the ends of the research plot for turning planting, cultivating, and harvesting equipment. None of the research plot should be located in headrows of the field or be in areas subject to high levels of soil compaction. Provider understands that some loss may occur in these areas from turning of planting equipment, cultivating equipment, and operation of a vehicle to transport seed to the planter. ARS will provide final approval of land area. Research plot areas must be accessible throughout the season. They should be located close to a roadway for accessibility by equipment and personnel throughout the entire growing season. The provider agrees that research plots may be accessed for planting and cultivating at the discretion of ARS. A level area will be required near the research plot to park a truck and trailer unit and to load and unload planting, cultivating, and harvesting equipment. ARS may visit the research plot any time during the growing season for collecting research data and performing research operations such as collecting samples, and labeling plots with tags or wooden stakes. Area and location requirement: One research plot area is required within the specified counties below to accommodate the land-area requirement and to provide locations in the same geographic areas of the state of Iowa as research plot work performed in past years for multi-year studies. County Acres Cass 8.3 Carroll 11.0 Washington 11.2 Benton 12.2 Hamilton 7.5 Story 17.2 To be eligible, all vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A vendor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register in SAM. Vendor must include their DUNS# on their capability statements. The NAICS code for the expected acquisition is 111150, with a Size Standard of $1 MIL and the PSC Code is AA31. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted as a commercial item purchased in accordance with FAR Part 12 and as a Simplified Acquisition Procedure in accordance with FAR Part 13. The Contractor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard USDA ARS Ames, IA and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of the Firm Fixed Price Contract. Submitting a Quote: To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov . NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) numbers is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their DUNS # on their quote. Invoices are to be submitted and payments will be made through the IPP system. Vendors must be register or register in the IPP system. Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF-18 (SEE ATTACHED).The quote should include all fees, delivery charges and or surcharges. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please email all quotes in writing on the sf-18 to
[email protected] by no later than MAY 4, 2020 at 12:00pm Central Standard Time Questions in regards to this combined synopsis must be submitted through email and are due no later than 12:00pm CST on APRIL 29 2020. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.