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 procurement will be processed pursuant to FAR part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and no other written solicitation will be issued. Solicitation 12805B21Q0062 is issued as a request for quotation.

This is a Total Small Business set-aside.  NAICS for this procurement is 111150 and 111110.  Small business size standard is $1M. All interested vendors must be registered and active Small Businesses in the System for Award Management found at www.sam.gov under the proper NAICS codes prior to submitting an offer. 

The USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center ( USMARC) in Clay Center, NE is requesting seed provider recommendations in selecting corn hybrids and soybean varieties for the 2021 cropping season. All hybrids/varieties recommended should be yield proven (no experimental hybrids) in area test plots, supporting test plot data should be provided with your quote. 

All hybrids or varieties recommended should be currently offered and described in your 2021 seed guide. Individual hybrid/variety characteristics ratings, not provided in seed guide, should be described in each field’s comment section.

Field descriptions include a minimum request for insect resistance via GMO’s.  Additional or amplified events may be bid. Additional benefits of recommended hybrid will be considered when accepting or determining winning hybrid.

You may offer a recommendation for all fields described or only for fields you select. The same corn hybrid may be offered as the recommended hybrid on more than 1 field(s) description.  To help manage environmental risks, genetic diversity of hybrids should be considered. Individual plantings of a single hybrid or variety will be limited to a maximum of 3 fields.

Hybrids/varieties selected by USMARC will be the best value for USMARC; decisions will be based on past performance at USMARC, yield data, genetic diversity, GMO events, plant characteristics and price.

USMARC feed needs are significantly impacted by climate.  Rotations, seed hybrid/variety and quantities are subject to pre-plant adjustments. 

Small allotments of seed may be delivered in bags. Large allotments of seed should be packaged in center flow bulk seed Pro-boxes.  We would prefer to be able to return any unopened/undamaged bags for refund.  Please state your position regarding this in the quote.

Seed deliveries can be made as soon as you have been notified of selections. Deliveries should be made by April 1, 2021.