Brian Menke, a sole proprietorship based in Marquette, Nebraska, was awarded a $51,759 firm fixed-price purchase order by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service under the Plains Area. This total small business set-aside contract, awarded on February 12, 2021, calls for the delivery of Hoegemeyer hybrid seed corn to support research operations at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska, with a completion date of September 30, 2021. The solicitation was posted on January 14, 2021, with a due date of January 22, 2021.
Brian Menke specializes in agricultural seed supply, focusing on corn and soybean seed distribution to research facilities. The contract represents part of an established relationship between the vendor and USDA-ARS, with a demonstrated pattern of providing high-quality hybrid seeds to support the agency's crop and meat animal research initiatives. As a small business, the contractor benefits from the set-aside designation, which ensures priority consideration for contract awards and supports the government's objectives in fostering growth within the small business community.