THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. USDA/ARS/PWS intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) Janine Hasey for CLONAL ROOTSTOCK FIELD TRIAL. Work is in cooperation with UC/USDA researchers Andreas Westphal, Chuck Leslie, Pat J. Brown, Greg Browne, and Dan Kluepfel. Field trial coordinator oversees existing and development of new elite rootstock germplasm trials in the state with UCCE Walnut Advisors . Approach – existing trials : • Will continue to coordinate the evaluation and collate data for the four ongoing orchard rootstock 2016 June bud trials (one trial each in Glenn, Lake, Sutter, and Tulare counties) and be primary investigator at Sutter County site. J. regia ‘Chandler’ was grafted on four of the elite selections, as well as commercial standards of Paradox seedling and VX211, RX1, and Vlach clonal rootstocks and planted at the sites in 2016. Additionally, a privately patented clone was planted at two of the sites. We will continue to assess tree growth (i.e., annual rootstock and tree trunk circumference measurements, percent of photosynthetically active radiation intercepted by tree canopy at selected sites), yield, crown gall and other disease incidence, and rootstock suckering when noted. Crown gall incidence is visually assessed, and roots from trees that decline or die are examined to determine whether they are infected with Phytophthora spp. or lesion nematode. • Tree performance data from all orchard trials are subjected to analyses of variance and regression analyses, as appropriate. • Will continue to manage the NIFA SCRI grant for extension as PI for the rootstock trials and write progress reports. Write reports for all funding agencies. • These rootstock trials will be sites for extension and outreach activities to inform growers and farm advisors about recent developments in walnut rootstock research. Relevant rootstock performance data also will be shared through our walnut rootstock website maintained by the UC Davis Fruit and Nut Center and Advisor websites. • Will assist with the tree removal and root and crown inspection and disease assessment of the fifth rootstock trial planted at UC Davis Armstrong field station in 2015 as potted trees and then field budded and subsequently inoculated with Agrobacterium and Phytophthora in fall 2020. Approach – new trials : • The identified 25 genotypes with elevated levels of disease resistance to one or more of our three target pathogens were clonally propagated under commercial conditions. An average of eighty clones of each of these genotypes (i.e. ~2,000 plants) are currently growing in the field at our cooperating commercial nursery. These will be grafted in Spring 2021 and dug in winter 2021/22 for planting in Spring 2022. • Depending on numbers of trees available, field trials will be prioritized and established at the UC Davis Armstrong field station for inoculation treatment (i.e. inoculated with A. tumefaciens , Phytophthora , and/or nematodes), a Phytophthora trial in San Joaquin County, and other cooperators with nematode or crown gall problems are being identified in Stanislaus and other counties for Spring 2022 planting. • All field trials will be under my direction as the field trial coordinator for this clonal rootstock research. Plots at Armstrong and KARE (if included) will include an inoculation treatment (i.e. inoculated with A. tumefaciens , Phytophthora, and/or nematodes). Coordinator will work with walnut farm advisors in respective counties to identify cooperators, design plots, and plant trials. • Monitor growth of new genotypes at cooperating nursery. Take baseline and end of season growth data in spring and winter 2021 respectively at rootstock trial planted in fall 2019 at cooperating nursery. • Most of the new elite rootstocks mentioned above will be grafted to J. regia ‘Chandler’ with ‘Serr’ being grafted for one trial. Depending on the trial and identified problem, Chandler or Serr trees on standard rootstocks (i.e. VX211, RX1, or Vlach) or other clones as controls will be included for comparison at new experimental sites that collectively represent the diversity of California walnut production regions and selected biotic stress factors (i.e., soil-borne pathogens). The grafted trees will be planted in replicated randomized or randomized complete block or split plot designs • In addition, given our current rate of discovery, we anticipate identification of 10-15 additional elite disease resistant genotypes within the next 12 months that also will enter our invitro propagation system in preparation for field evaluation. The Sole Source Determination is based on 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes, and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government’s requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the buyer via email
[email protected] within 3 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely with the discretion of the government. Oral communication is not acceptable in response to this notice.