**The purpose of this amendment is to change the solicitation to full and open competition and extend the closing date** 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 a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12505B23Q0121 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-02 dated March 16, 2023. This solicitation will be a Total Small Business set aside. The associated NAICS code is 111150 (Corn Farming), with a small business size standard of $2.5 million. This acquisition is for the following item as identified in the Line Items: 0001) Isolated Crossing Block Nursery, 7208 Rows 0002) Breeding Nursery, 960 Rows Description of Work: The USDA, ARS Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project of the Plant Introduction Research Unit (PIRU) has a requirement for eight corn isolated crossing blocks for production of topcross (hybrid) seed and two hand pollinated corn breeding nurseries for growing between May 2023 and November 2023 in accordance with the Statement of Work. The Contractor shall provide all items F.O.B. destination. Location of the Government site is aboard USDA ARS Ames, IA 50014 and USDA ARS Clayton, NC 27520 and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract. Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote in accordance with FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services and include a copy of 52.212-3 Offeror Representations-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Submission of quote shall include the following: (1) Technical and (2) Price. All responses shall be submitted electronically to
[email protected] The basis for award is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). LPTA means the best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable quote with the lowest evaluated price. Pursuant to FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, the criteria for evaluation are: (1) Technical and (2) Price and must also have satisfactory Past Performance. The lowest priced quote will first be evaluated for technical acceptability in accordance with the minimum specifications identified. If determined not technically acceptable, it will be removed from competition and the next lowest priced quote will be evaluated for technical acceptability. This will continue until the lowest price quote is determined technically acceptable. Once the lowest priced quote is determined technically acceptable, then a determination of responsibility will be completed. If found responsible, evaluations will be closed and award will be made. INSPECTON AND ACCEPTANCE TERMS: Services will be inspected by Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and accepted at destination. Period of performance is 5/16/2023-11/30/2028. To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time the quote is submitted. A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A SAM UEI number is required in order to register. All invoices shall be submitted electronically. Quotes must be received no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on May 17, 2023. Questions in regard to this combined synopsis/solicitation are due no later than 2:00 PM Eastern on May 12, 2023. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation. DISCLAIMER: The official contract documents are located on the government webpage and the Government is not liable for information furnished by any other source. Amendments, if/when issued will be posted to Contract Opportunities for electronic downloading. This will normally be the only method of distributing amendments prior to closing; therefore, it is the offeror's responsibility to check the website periodically for any amendments to this solicitation. Websites are occasionally inaccessible, due to various reasons. The Government is not responsible for any loss of internet connectivity or for an offeror's inability to access the documents posted on the referenced web pages. The Government will not issue paper copies.