Feed Corn for Livestock

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding Solicitation 1232SA26Q0159 for Feed Corn for Livestock.

• Delivery Method: Semi-trucks with hopper bottom trailers are generally used, but both hopper-bottom and end-dump trailers are acceptable.
• Corn Quantity: The request is for 4,500 bushels of Yellow Feed Corn #2, with an average bushel weight of 56 lbs.
• Payment Terms: Payment is generally due 30 days after government receipt of a proper invoice or acceptance of services. Partial invoicing is permitted for deliveries spread over multiple months.
• Variable Allowance: Refers to clause 452.211-71 Variation in Quantity.
• FM Limit: The facility follows USDA limits for Broken Corn and Foreign Materials (BCFM), with a maximum of 3%. Deliveries can be up to 1400-1450 bushels.
• Delivery Infrastructure: The Fort Keogh facility can handle hopper-bottom or end-dump trailers. Ground discharge is the preference at the time of award, with potential for bin dispensing later in the delivery schedule.
• Bid Submission: Quotes are to be submitted electronically via email to the contract specialist/purchasing agent in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. The submission must include a cover page with specific company and solicitation details, and a statement of agreement with terms and conditions.
• Delivery Structure: Three loads of approximately 1,500 bushels each are acceptable.

This Q&A document clarifies delivery methods, payment terms, quantity specifications, and submission requirements, providing essential details for bidders to prepare accurate proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment provides answers to vendor questions, as detailed in Attachment 1.

• Attachment 1: Questions and Answers.

• No other terms and conditions are changed unless stated.

• Deliveries are to begin ARO (After Receipt of Order) and continue through May 15, 2026.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for commercial items to procure feed corn for livestock for the USDA-Agricultural Research Service's Livestock and Range Research Lab in Miles City, Montana, for the winter months. This is a total small business set-aside acquisition.

• Feed corn supplies.

• Specifics regarding specifications, scope of work, and delivery schedule are detailed in Attachments 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

• A firm-fixed price contract is anticipated.

• The government intends to make one award.

• Offers must be submitted electronically via email.

• Quotes must be held firm for 90 calendar days from the specified receipt date.

• Questions are due by February 12, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Evaluation will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Evaluation factors include Price and Technical Acceptability.

• Technical Acceptability requires meeting or exceeding salient characteristics, clear identification of product (brand name, make, model, or "equal"), sufficient descriptive literature, and availability within the specified timeframe.

• Past Performance will also be evaluated (Acceptable/Neutral/Unacceptable).

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 311119, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions by reference. Full text is available upon request or electronically via www.acquisition.gov.

• Delivery is required no later than May 15. Early deliveries are accepted.

• Shipping address: USDA-Agricultural Research Service's Livestock and Range Research Lab, 243 Fort Keogh Road, Miles City, Montana 59301.

• Information regarding agency protests and the Ombudsman program is included.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To procure feed corn to supplement livestock used in research projects at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service's Livestock and Range Research Lab in Miles City, Montana. These projects examine cattle reproductive physiology, nutrition, and genetics.

• Procure 4,500 bushels of good quality, storable feed corn.
• Corn must be less than 15% moisture, have no mold, be free of insects and insect damage, and have minimal dust and cracking.
• Corn must be harvested in the 2024 or 2025 growing season.
• Deliveries are to be made as bulk feed via semi-load.

Deliveries are to begin upon award (ARO) and continue through May 15, 2026.

USDA-ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, 243 Fort Keogh Road, Miles City, Montana 59301.

• Certified Weight Tickets: Tonnage to be established at the contractor's facility prior to shipment and confirmed in writing. A State Certified Weight Ticket and State certified HEAVY weight ticket numbers are required at destination.

• F.O.B. Destination: The contractor is responsible for delivery to the specified location.

• Unloading: Corn will be dispensed to storage bins or on the ground at the destination.

• Notification of Delivery: Three (3) workdays prior to shipping, the contractor must provide anticipated total tonnage and carrier information to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

• Delivery Times: Deliveries are scheduled between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., local time, Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and national holidays. Emergency deliveries may be requested for weekends/holidays with prior notification to the COR.

• Government Furnished: None (N/A).

• Travel: N/A.

• Contractor's Key Personnel: N/A.

• Security Requirements: N/A.

• Data Rights: N/A.

• Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards: N/A.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the delivery schedule, quality compliance checklist, and key logistics notes for the procurement of corn.

• Delivery Schedule: Details five shipments of 900 bushels each, with estimated timings ranging from immediate to "By May 15, 2026".
• Quality Compliance Checklist: Specifies requirements for the corn, including type (2 Yellow Whole Corn, 2024 or 2025 harvest), moisture content (<15%), condition (no mold, insects, or insect damage), cleanliness (minimal dust and cracking), and delivery method (bulk via semi-load).
• Key Logistics Notes: States a total volume of 4,500 bushels and a hard deadline of May 15, 2026, for all deliveries. It also notes the requirement for the recipient to have ready storage with high-clearance access for bulk semi-discharges.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the specific delivery timelines, quantities, quality standards, and logistical requirements for fulfilling the contract. It directly impacts planning for production, transportation, and storage.