Cotton Planter Florence, SC
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is soliciting quotations for a 4-Row Cotton Planter for delivery to Florence, SC. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside acquisition. The planter must include a vacuum seed meter system and a coupling/lift system to attach to an existing strip tillage implement. Quotations are due by January 25, 2026.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for a 4-row cotton planter with 38-inch row spacing and a vacuum seed meter system. Key features and accessories include:
- A coupling/lift system to attach to an existing 4-row, 38-inch spacing strip tillage implement for single-pass operation.
- Vacuum seed delivery system.
- Chain drive with mechanical transmission.
- Accessories: chain guard, drive wheel covers, hydraulic lines/hookups for vacuum, granular chemical system, and cotton seed discs.
- Capable of connecting to a tractor with a 3-pt hitch and category 3 pins.
- Must be delivered fully assembled and ready-to-use.
- All items must have clear traceability to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Quotation (RFQ), anticipated Firm-Fixed Price contract.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (NAICS 333111, size standard 1,250 employees).
- Delivery: Required within 60 days after receipt of order (ARO) to USDA-ARS, Clemson Pee Dee Research and Education Center, 2200 Pocket Rd., Florence, SC 29506. Early deliveries are accepted.
- Response Due: January 25, 2026, at 23:00:00Z.
- Questions Due: January 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time via email to shane.pope@usda.gov.
- Published: January 9, 2026.
Evaluation
Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria. Evaluation factors include:
- Price: Including base period, all option periods, potential six-month extension, quantity price discounts, and prompt payment discounts.
- Technical Acceptability: Quoted product must meet or exceed all salient characteristics, be clearly identified (brand name/model or "equal"), include sufficient descriptive literature, and be available for delivery within the specified timeframe.
- Past Performance will also be evaluated. Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.
Additional Notes
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation. Refer to "Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions" for applicable clauses, instructions, and evaluation criteria, and "Attachment 2 – Specification Document" for detailed specifications. F.O.B. destination is requested for all deliverables.