Isolated Crossing and Breeding Nursery

Solicitation

This solicitation invites offers from entities with the expertise and capabilities to provide specified items. The government intends to make a single award based on the best value to the Government, considering technical approach, past performance, and price. Award will not necessarily be made to the lowest-priced offeror, and tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• Offerors must demonstrate the ability to meet schedule requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW).

• A detailed explanation is required for any SOW requirement the offeror cannot successfully accomplish.

• All parts submitted must be NEW approved parts. Alternate parts are authorized only if they are approved and satisfy form, fit, and function requirements.

• The contract type is anticipated to be Firm Fixed Price.

• The period of performance is not explicitly stated but is implied to be defined in the SOW.

• Submission Deadline: April 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT.

• Submission Method: Email to Elizabeth.Calhoun@usda.gov with the solicitation title and number in the subject line.

• Required Documents:

  • Firm Fixed Price quotation on SF 1449 (Attachment 3), valid for at least 30 days.
  • SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI).
  • Past Performance References (as detailed in Attachment 5).
  • Capability Statement demonstrating technical capability to meet or exceed all Performance Elements in the SOW.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Technical Approach: Assesses the offeror's ability to provide a sound, compliant approach and understanding of requirements.
  • Price: Evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.
  • Past Performance: Assessed based on references, past contracts, CPARS, and other government sources.

• Evaluation Method: Submissions will be evaluated for merit and ability to satisfy objectives. Technical and past performance combined are slightly more important than price.

• The document lists various FAR and AGAR clauses related to small business concerns, including HUBZone, Total Small Business Aside, and Nonmanufacturer Rule, suggesting potential set-aside considerations, though not explicitly stated as a full set-aside.

• Offerors are required to meet a qualification requirement for award eligibility.

• Key Attachments Referenced: Attachment 2 (Statement of Work), Attachment 3 (SF 1449), Attachment 4 (Wage Determination), Attachment 5 (Past Performance document).

• Questions Deadline: March 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT, to Elizabeth.Calhoun@usda.gov.

• Service Contract Labor Standards: May apply; wage determination for one possible location is attached. Offerors must request additional wage determinations if needed by two days before solicitation close.

• Protest Information: Details on filing agency protests with the USDA Ombudsman Program are provided.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the requirements for Past Performance submissions as part of a proposal. It details how the Government will evaluate an Offeror's demonstrated record of performance.

• Evaluation Factor: Past Performance assesses the Government's confidence in an Offeror's ability to meet user needs based on past performance.
• Submission Requirements: Offerors must provide two (2) to three (3) projects completed within the last three years, similar in size, scope, and complexity to the RFQ requirements.
• Project Information Required:
  • Project title
  • Description of project, scope, and responsibilities
  • Contract/Order/BPA number
  • Contract type and period of performance
  • Government Agency/Organization
  • COR’s name, address, and phone number
  • Contracting Officer’s name, address, and phone number or email address
  • Status (complete, ongoing, etc.)
  • Narrative on relevance to the current effort
• Prime Contractor Requirement: At least two references must be from the Offeror's performance as the prime contractor.
• Point of Contact: Current contact information is crucial; failure to provide it may impact evaluation.
• Additional Information: The Government may consider past performance information from other sources.

This attachment is critical for bidders to understand how their past performance will be evaluated. It specifies the number of references required, the recency and relevance criteria, and the detailed information needed for each project. Adhering to these requirements is essential for a successful proposal, as it directly impacts the Government's assessment of an Offeror's probability of success.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4975, Revision No. 27) for the state of Iowa, specifically for the "Iowa County of Story" area. It outlines the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations under the Service Contract Act. This is relevant for contractors to understand labor costs associated with performing services in this geographic area.

• Lists occupational codes, titles, and corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Includes footnotes for specific occupations requiring additional information or clarification.
• Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare rates ($5.55 per hour or $222.00 per week) and specific provisions for Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Outlines provisions for vacation (2-4 weeks based on service length) and paid holidays (11 per year).
• Provides guidance on hazardous pay differentials (8% or 4%) and uniform allowances.
• Includes a process for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates (Conformance Process) if an occupation is not listed.

This wage determination is critical for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for any contract requiring services in "Iowa County of Story." Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums to comply with the Service Contract Act and avoid potential penalties. It directly impacts the financial viability and competitiveness of proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for commercial items, specifically for an "Isolated crossing and breeding nursery." The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the issuing agency and is exempt from state and federal sales tax.

• The primary deliverable is an "Isolated crossing and breeding nursery."

• The solicitation number is 1232SA26Q0356.

• The offer due date is April 3, 2026, at 1400 PT.

• The delivery date is November 1, 2026.

• This is a Request for Quote (RFQ).

• Payment will be made via the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 111150.

• The size standard is $2.5 million.

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Standard Form 1449 is used for this solicitation.

• FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-4 are incorporated by reference and attached.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The USDA, ARS Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project requires services for the production of corn hybrid seed and breeding nurseries.

• Isolated Crossing Blocks: Six blocks are required for producing topcross (hybrid) seed.

• Hand-Pollinated Nurseries: Two nurseries are required for growing breeding stock.

• Location: Land must be located in a central Corn-Belt region (Iowa, Illinois, eastern Nebraska, northern Indiana), suitable for corn growth with minimal disease and insect pressure.

• Timing: All nurseries must be grown between April/May 2026 and harvested/returned by November 2026.

• Field Activities: Provide land, land preparation (tillage), fertilization, weed and pest control, and harvest.

• Isolated Crossing Specifics:

  • Minimum 500 feet separation from adjacent corn fields.
  • Specific planting patterns (4:4 male-female rows).
  • Precise planting delays based on growing degree units (GDU) for male rows.
  • Monitoring and removal of off-type male plants.

• Hand-Pollinated Nursery Specifics:

  • Planting in 12-ft plot rows with specified kernel counts.
  • Shoot bagging of ear shoots.
  • Self-pollination and cross-pollination between paired rows.
  • Specific GDU delays for paired row crossing nursery.

• Harvest & Seed Handling:

  • Individual row harvesting.
  • Harvest timing based on seed development or days after pollination.
  • Seed drying using forced air not exceeding 95°F to 12-14% moisture.
  • Boxing and preparation for freight shipment.

• Packeted seed (18 kernels per packet).

• Planting: As close to April/May 2026 as conditions allow, no later than June 10, 2026.

• Reporting: Bi-weekly written reports on project status, crop development, and field conditions via email.

• Shipping Information: Communication of shipping details by November 15, 2026.

• Seed Shipment: Harvested seed to be shipped to USDA-ARS-NCRPIS in Ames, IA, or USDA-ARS in Clayton, NC, as specified.

April/May 2026 through November 30, 2026.

Adam Vanous, 515-231-3517, adam.vanous@usda.gov