Peanut Standards Verification Services for USDA, AMS

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for non-personal peanut standards verification services for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP). The services are required nationwide, with a primary focus on Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

• Verification of peanut quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts.

• Inspection and grading of "farmers stock" peanuts at buying points.

• Sampling and analysis of "milled" product for outgoing quality inspection.

• Monitoring and tracking of inspection results, grade, and aflatoxin testing (approximately 90,000 annually).

• Investigation of alleged violations and reporting to AMS.

• Maintaining traceability of all products, including failing and non-edible peanuts.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Period of Performance: Anticipated 03/01/2026 – 02/28/2031 (five one-year ordering periods).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the IDIQ contract has a maximum order limit of $1,000,000.00 per order.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the offeror with the highest technically rated quotation with fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable or neutral past performance. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• Key Factors:

  • Technical Approach (understanding of peanut industry, aflatoxin testing, U.S. Grade Standards, and outgoing quality standards).
  • Key Personnel (demonstrated experience and qualifications).
  • Experience (minimum of two, maximum of five projects within the last 5 years).
  • Price (fair and reasonable).
  • Past Performance (acceptable or neutral).

• Submission Deadline for Questions: February 20, 2026, 12:00 PM Central Time.

• This acquisition is an unrestricted requirement and not set-aside for small business concerns.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services).

• Small Business Size Standard: $19.0 million.

• The solicitation includes various FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions that must be complied with.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items for the base period and all option periods.

• Key Personnel resumes must be submitted with the quotation.

Amendment / Modification

• Incorporates Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.222-90, "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors (Apr 2026)".

• Replaces "Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions Peanut Standards Verification Services Amendment PA09" with an updated version.

• Corrects information regarding minimum qualifications for Key Personnel within the updated Attachment 1.

• Extends the due date for quotations to Monday, April 27, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT.

• "Other Applicable Clauses" section of the solicitation.

• "Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions Peanut Standards Verification Services Amendment PA09".

• The deadline for submitting quotations has been extended to April 27, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT.

• Vendors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment by returning a completed SF 30 form.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for non-personal peanut verification services for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP). Services may be required nationwide, with a primary focus on Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. This acquisition is an unrestricted requirement and is not set-aside for small business concerns.

• Provide peanut standards verification services.

• Perform management, supervision, labor, and subcontracts necessary for the services.

• Verify handler and importer compliance with established peanut standards.

• Conduct handler visits, observe cold storage areas, and track outgoing peanut inspection certificates.

• Track and maintain electronic records of aflatoxin lab certificates.

• Monitor compliance of lots re-designated as non-edible.

• Investigate and report alleged violations.

• Prepare and submit case referral reports.

• Provide quarterly reports on aflatoxin testing and grade results.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Period of Performance: Anticipated 03/01/2026 – 02/28/2031 (five one-year ordering periods).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but pricing is required for all items.

• Quotes will be evaluated based on the highest technically rated quotation with fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable or neutral past performance.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Approach, Key Personnel, Experience, and Price.

• Past Performance will be evaluated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

• Award will be made to the highest technically rated offeror whose price is fair and reasonable and whose past performance is acceptable or neutral. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• Questions due by: February 20, 2026, 12:00 PM Central Time.

• Unrestricted requirement; not set-aside for small business concerns.

• Applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code: 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services).

• Small business size standard: $19.0 million.

• This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference; full text available at www.acquisition.gov.

• Attachment 2: Vendor Quotation Form

• Attachment 3: Vendor Experience and Past Performance Sheet

• Attachment 4: US DOL Wage Determination No. 2015-4281 Rev. No. 35

• Key Personnel resumes are required with the quotation.

• Vendors must submit a minimum of two (2) but no more than five (5) separate projects within the last 5 years detailing similar experience.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 2, a Vendor Quotation Form, for Solicitation 12639526Q0040. It is used to collect pricing information for Peanut Verification Services from potential bidders.

• Vendor Information: Fields for Vendor Name and SAM.gov UEI.
• Service: Peanut Verification Services.
• Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price.
• Pricing Structure: The form requires pricing for five ordering periods, each with a 12-month duration, plus an optional 6-month extension for Ordering Period 5 (as per FAR 52.217-8).
• Required Action: Bidders must complete the blue shaded areas.
• Calculations: Includes fields for monthly prices, number of months, total annual price, and a 5-year total evaluated price.

This form is critical for bidders to submit their pricing proposal. Bidders must accurately fill in their proposed prices for each ordering period and the extension, ensuring all blue shaded areas are completed as instructed. The total evaluated price calculated from this form will be a key component in the government's evaluation of quotes.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Vendor Experience and Past Performance Sheet," is a form intended for bidders to provide details about their relevant experience and past performance on previous contracts. It is designed to help the government assess a bidder's capability to successfully perform the work required for the current opportunity.

This form requires bidders to provide specific information for each relevant contract they wish to highlight:

• Contract Identification: Contractor Name, Contract Number, Contractor Role (Prime, Subcontractor, Joint Venture), Dates of Contract Performance, Address of Performance, Total Contract Value.
• Contract Requirements: A description of services provided, any special/unique requirements, and a brief explanation of problems encountered and their resolutions.
• CPARS Completion: Indication of whether a Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) report was completed for the contract.
• Customer Identification: Name, Title, Agency/Company, Address, Telephone, and E-mail of the customer.

Bidders must complete this form accurately and thoroughly to demonstrate their qualifications and past performance. The information provided will be a critical component in the government's evaluation of the bidder's ability to meet the requirements of the solicitation. Failure to provide complete and relevant information may negatively impact the evaluation of past performance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination No. 2015-4281, Revision No. 35, dated December 3, 2025. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing work under the Service Contract Act within the District of Columbia, Maryland (Charles, Prince George's counties), and Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William, Stafford counties).

• Lists specific occupational codes and titles.
• Provides the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Indicates that "Fringe Benefits Required Follow the Occupational Listing."
• Includes notes on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (minimum wage rate adjustments).
• Details requirements for vacation, holidays, and specific benefit rates (Health & Welfare).
• Outlines the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (Conformance Process) if an occupation is not listed.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with the opportunity. It dictates the baseline wages and benefits that must be paid to service employees working on the contract, directly impacting the cost proposal. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements to be compliant.