THIS IS FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR SOLICITATION
Agricultural Research Services (ARS) is conducting market research to support the Plant Introduction Lab requirement for a corn winter nursery. The ARS is seeking business sources, including small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, 8(a) certified companies, and other than small businesses. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 111150, Corn Farming. Small Business Size Standard is $1M. The following information is provided to assist the ARS in conducting Market Research to identify potential contractors for this effort:
The government is seeking capability statements from businesses capable of meeting the below performance requirements:
Statement of Work for PIRU's Maize Winter Nursery Production Needs in Mexico, Fall 2019 - Spring 2020:
The USDA, ARS, Plant Introduction Research Facility has determined a requirement for a 1) corn winter nursery for increase seed production and 2) isolated crossing blocks for production of topcross (hybrid) seed for growing between September 2019 and February 2020. The details for this planting, growing and harvesting requirement are attached to this posting. Offerors must include all associated costs and state on quotes any variances between their offered products and the provided specifications. Any resulting award from this solicitation will be a fixed price contract.
Subject to local weather, soil moisture conditions, minimal disease and low insect pressure, an arid temperate location has been determined required. Mexico has been determined to have a location best suited for the requirement for both the winter nursery and isolation block planting required for this research. Both shall be grown within a 6-month period beginning in September-November 2019 to be harvested and returned in approximately February-April 2020. Payment terms in arrears per confirmed completion of each projected Line Item as detailed on Attached Schedule (40% at bid acceptance, 30% at flowering time, and 30% at delivery of seed).

REQUIREMENTS - Multiple purpose maize nurseries and isolation fields for research seed production:
For all plantings: Contractor will provide for all field activities including land, land preparation, planting, monitoring, weed and pest control, pollination services, irrigation, fertilization, harvest and for drying and shelling if needed, phytosanitary certificate, Ag inspections, fumigation to meet APHIS standards for import/or shipping within or to the US and preparation for shipping. Contractor will provide information on containers and weight sufficient for USDA to procure shipping services via UPS or FedEx.
Breeders, at their discretion, will travel to monitor progress of work. Contractor will provide brief report of crop development progress in weekly or every two-intervals prior to flowering, and photos as the crop develops. Shoot bagging and pollinations will be done according to USDA breeder's instructions. Hand-harvesting will be done by plot when grains have dried sufficiently and the ears will be allowed to dry to approximately 12%-15% moisture. Dried ears and/or seeds will be prepared for shipping according to USDA breeder's instructions.
The USDA is responsible for providing phytosanitary certification and import permit for seed entering Mexico and for treating the seed according to requirements, and for all seed to be planted.

1. GEM Project Isolation Field Blocks
Two distinct temperate maize isolation fields, for production of topcross (hybrid) seed shall include approximately 2438 total female rows (about 1220 each). Each isolation field uses a separate male variety. For the first isolation field, 990 female rows will be planted in 6 meter long rows and 230 female rows in 4 meter long rows. For the second isolation field, 836 female rows will be planted in 6 meter long rows and 382 female rows in 4 meter long rows. The male variety rows will be interspersed at a 1:3 or 1:4 male:female row ratio, with sufficient male variety planting days to ensure pollen availability while female plants are silking. Planting will occur in late September or as soon as weather and soil conditions are feasible. Female plants will be detasseled prior to silking. USDA breeders will provide seed for both male rows and female rows. Harvested ears will be dried and shelled prior to seed return.

2. GEM Project Winter Nursery
A late September-early October planting will consist of 132 paired rows for cross-pollination.
A November planting will consist of 348 paired rows for cross-pollination and 200 rows for self-pollination. Ears and seed will be prepared for shipping according to USDA breeder's instructions.

3. Corn Curation Project Winter Nursery
The tropical maize population seed increase nursery shall include approximately 1000 rows of tropical maize populations (40-60 distinct populations) to be planted in 5.5 m (18 foot) long rows. Each population is to be sib-mated, where a tassel is used to pollinate an ear shoot of a different plant. Each tassel should be used once, and reciprocal crosses should be avoided. A blank (non-planted) row will be planted between each family to ensure that pollinations are not made between populations. Plant spacing is expected to be 9-12 inches (22-30 cm) within the row. Flowering dates are to be noted. Plant and ear height data is desirable, expressed as a range of values for each population. Seed is to be returned on the ear.

Place of Performance:
USDA, ARS, Plant Introduction Research Facility
1305 State Ave.
Ames, IA

Respondents shall furnish sufficient technical information necessary for the Government to conclusively determine that they are capable of meeting the technical requirements identified above. Firms believing they can meet the requirements are encouraged to respond electronically with no less than the following information:
• Business name, DUNS number, business address, business website, business size status (i.e., SB, VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone SB, SDB, WOSB, LB), point of contact name, mailing address (if different from business address), phone number, and email address;
• Sufficient descriptive literature that unequivocally demonstrates that offered services will meet or exceed above specifications;
• Descriptive material necessary for the government to determine whether the service offered meets the technical requirements;
• If a large business, provide if subcontracting opportunities exist for small business concerns;
• Though this is not a request for quote, informational pricing is encouraged.
The government is not responsible for locating or securing any information, not identified in the response.
Interested Parties must respond with capability statements by email to [email protected] on or before September 4, 2019 at 3:00 PM Central Standard Time.
Notice of Intent:
Responses to this sources sought announcement will assist the Government in determining whether or not any future requirement similar to this one should be set aside for small business, made available to full and open competition, or procure through sole-source acquisition procedures.
Disclaimer and Important Notes:
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in FedBizOpps. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.
Confidentiality:
No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Bid Protests Not Available