This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for
commercial items prepared in accordance with the
format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with
additional information included in this notice.

This solicitation is issued as a result of sources sought notice ID 12905B20210121001PF.

The solicitation number is 12905B21Q0008 and is
issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), unless
otherwise indicated herein. This announcement
constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are
being requested and a written solicitation will
not be issued. The associated North American
Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for
this procurement is 112910.

Requirements:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service ¿ 2000 E
Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ has issued this sources sought announcement in order
to determine if there are existing businesses sources capable of providing
full size bee colonies, sold and delivered directly to the ARS location listed.
The complete requirement is for full sized Italian honey bee colonies; each
colony is a single 10 frame deep Langstroth hive with bees, brood, an Italian
queen, honey, and pollen. The colonies must come with a wooden
Langstroth hive body, a migratory lid, and a temporary screened bottom
board. All frames must be drawn with honeycomb. Full sized colonies will
come directly from almond pollination and be delivered by truck overnight
to the Tucson Carl Hayden Bee Research Center. Delivery is dependent upon
release of bees out of almond contracts, and will occur no later than March
26-29.

The location will require 125 full colonies.

AGAR Clauses
452.211-71 Equal Products Offered.
As prescribed in 411.171, insert the following or substantially the same clause
in solicitations seeking offers on a "brand name or equal" basis to allow offerors the
opportunity to clearly identify the "equal" item being offered, and to illustrate how
that item meets the salient characteristics requirements of the Government.

EQUAL PRODUCTS OFFERED (NOV 1996)
(a) Offerors proposing to furnish an "equal" product, in accordance with the "Brand
Name or Equal" provision of this solicitation, shall provide the following information
for each offered "equal" product: Contract Line Item Number (if any):
_____________________________
Brand Name or Equal Product identified by the Government in this solicitation:
_____________________________________

Offered Product Name: _______________________________________
Catalog Description or part number: _____________________________
Manufacturer's Name: ________________________________________
Manufacturer's Address: ______________________________________
(b) Offerors are responsible for submitting all additional information on the above
product necessary for the Contracting Officer to determine whether the product
offered meets the "brand name or equal" product's salient characteristics listed in the solicitation.
(End of Clause)

Solicitation 12905B21Q0008 is issued as a RFQ. The solicitation document, with the
attached clauses and provisions, is issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) and will be incorporated in the awarded firm-fixed price purchase
order. Interested vendors should reference the solicitation documents for all terms
and conditions. All interested parties are responsible for monitoring this website to
ensure they have the most current information (i.e. Amendments) for the solicitation.
No paper solicitation will be available.

Question Submission: Interested Offerors must submit any questions concerning the
solicitation at the earliest time possible to enable the Buyer to respond.

Address ALL questions in WRITING to the issuing o¿¿ice via email to
[email protected], referencing the solicitation number. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

The offeror must comply with the following commercial item terms and conditions:
FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation. Provisions Incorporated by Reference; FAR 52.212-1,
Instructions to Offerors; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications; FAR
52.211-6, Brand name or Equal.

Quote Submission Instructions:
1. Read the solicitation in its entirety (including the Specifications documents).
2. The quote should include any other documentation deemed necessary such as
references.
3. Quotes must be submitted via email by 05:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Friday
February 5th, 2021, by email to [email protected]. Quote submission MUST reference solicitation number 12905B21Q0008 in the subject line.
4. This is a Best Value Acquisition. Award of the contract resulting from this solicitation
will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal offers the "best value" to the Government, which may not necessarily be the quote offering the lowest price nor the
highest technical advantage. In the event two or more offerors within the competitive
range are considered essentially equal in terms of technical competence, the
Government reserves the right to award to the offeror with the lowest realistic price.
FAR 15.101-2
5. The Government may elect to conduct discussions with offerors whose quotes are
technically acceptable (or which may be expected to be made acceptable by moderate
modification) and fall within the competitive price range. The Government reserves
the right, however, to award a contract based on initial offers without conducting
discussions. Therefore, each quote should be submitted in the most favorable terms,
from a price and technical standpoint. See FAR 9.104-1.
6. USDA-ARS is Tax Exempt. Tax Exemption Certificate: 720564834F.
7. GSA discounts: The USDA is requesting that schedule contractors extend additional
discounts to the USDA when making responses to this solicitation. GSA contract
schedule holders are able to offer one-time discounts from established Schedule
contracts. Schedule contractors can give one buying member a discount without
passing the discount on to the entire federal government. This provision allows the
contractor to offer and the government to avail itself of spot pricing in the commercial
market.
8. Contractor must be registered at SAM.gov (System for Award Management) at
https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ prior to quote submission.
The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the
responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most
advantageous to the Government. All quotes must be FOB Destination. Please respond
with a firm fixed price quote to the email address below. Offerors are encouraged to
provide discounts in their pricing. The Government will evaluate prices offered for
reasonableness in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a) - Basis for Award.
The clause 52.214-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items and 52.214-5,
Contract Terms and Conditions required to implement Statues or Executive Orders--
Commercial Items, apply to this acquisition. Commercial Items Clauses are attached.
SUBMIT QUOTE TO: [email protected]