SF1449_ RFQ_1232SA27Q0012.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

124PSA

KANSAS CITY MO 64108

SUITE 6NE

2300 MAIN STREET

OCP, SERVICE AND SUPPLY DIVISION

ARS-120311 CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

311119

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OR124PSA

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

11/11/2026 0900 ET

11/05/2026

CHRISTOPHER TURNER

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBERa. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

1232SA27Q0012

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 11 1178413OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

17a. CONTRACTOR/

MILES CITY MT 59301

243 FORT KEOGH ROAD

PA RANGE AND LIVESTOCK RESEARCH

15. DELIVER TO

KANSAS CITY MO 64108

SUITE 6NE

2300 MAIN STREET

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

OCP, SERVICE AND SUPPLY DIVISION

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Delivery: 11/16/2026 Period of Performance: 11/16/2026 to 02/28/2027

0001 Cow Cake. See Attachment 1 Specifications for 125 TN requirement details. Firm Fixed Price. FOB Destination. Invoicing shall be in arrears.

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

CHRISTOPHER C. TURNER

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

UEI:

ENTTY NAME:

QUOTE POINT OF

CONTACT:

POINT OF CONTACT

EMAIL:

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

11 2 of

Cow Cake

RFQ 1232SA27Q0012

Statement of Requirement

Cow Cake – Miles City MT

List of solicitation attachments

Attachment 1 Specifications Attachment 2 Provision 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate Attachment 3 Provision 52.225-18 Place of Manufacture

Any subsequent solicitation or award attachments will follow number sequence as established above.

Technical Data - Technical Data is detailed in Attachment 1

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions The clauses and provisions contained herein are applicable to any order awarded as a result of this solicitation. The terms and conditions set forth herein supersede all other terms and conditions.

Acceptance of the order in accordance with (IAW) FAR 12.201-1(b)(2) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions contained herein.

As part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), system updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offers based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also the full text of the clause may be accessed electronically at Internet address https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025) ☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.212-4

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements

(Jan 2017) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.222-50 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (Jun 2013) 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) 52.233-3 Protest After Award (Sep 2025) 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Sep 2025) 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (Nov 2025) https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.240-91 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

The following clauses are applicable if checked:

☐ 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020) with Alternate I (Nov 2021) of 52.203-6

☐ 52.203-13 Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) ☐ 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel Jan 2011 ☒ 52.204-13 System for Award Management—Maintenance (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.204-91 Contractor identification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with

Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Sep 2025) ☐ 52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility

Matters (Sep 2025) ☒ 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Sep 2025) ☐ 52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Nov

2025) ☒ 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Mar 2020).

☐ 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate III (Nov 2025) of 52.219-9.

☐ Alternate IV (Nov 2025) of 52.219-9

☐ 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.219-33 Nonmanufacturer Rule (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) ☒ 52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35 ☒ 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36 ☐ 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010 ☐ 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) ☐ 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) ☐ 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) ☐ 52.222-44 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (May 2014)

☐ 52.222-51 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) ☐ 52.222-53 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) ☒ 52.222-90 Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors (Apr 2026) ☐ 52.223-2 Reporting of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts (Nov

2025) ☐ 52.223-9 Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items

(May 2008) ☐ Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9

☐ 52.223-11 Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Nov 2025)

☐ 52.223-12 Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Nov 2025)

☒ 52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017)

☐ Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3 ☒ 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1 ☐ 52.225-3 Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate II (Nov 2025) of 52.225-3.

☐ Alternate III (Nov 2025) of 52.225-3.

☐ Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3

☐ 52.225-5 Trade Agreements (Nov 2023) ☐ 52.225-19 Contractor Personnel in a Designated Operational Area or Supporting a Diplomatic or Consular Mission outside the United States (May 2020) ☐ 52.225-26 Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct

2016) ☐ 52.226-4 Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) ☐ 52.226-5 Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Aug 2025) ☐ 52.229-12 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements ☐ 52.232-29 Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services

(Nov 2021) ☐ 52.232-30 Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services

(Nov 2021) ☒ 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management (Oct 2018) ☐ 52.232-34 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System for Award Management

(Jul 2013) ☐ 52.232-36 Payment by Third Party (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation (Apr 1984)

☐ 52.237-3 Continuity of Services (Jan 1991) ☐ 52.240-92 Security Requirements (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.240-93 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (No 2025) ☐ 52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Apr 2023) of 52.247-64.

☐ Alternate II (Nov 2021) of 52.247-64

Other Applicable Clauses

52.247-34 F.O.B. Destination (Jan 1991)

Invoices

To invoice, a vendor must first enroll in the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) by visiting https://www.ipp.gov/. Once enrolled, all invoices are required to be submitted electronically through IPP. The IPP is a government-wide secure web-based payment information service provided free of charge to government agencies and their suppliers by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Management Service (FMS). Invoices shall be issued in arrears.

Contracting Officer

The Contracting Officer (CO) has the overall responsibility for the administration of this contract.

The CO alone, without delegation, is authorized to take actions on behalf of the Government to amend, modify or deviate from the contract terms, conditions, requirements, specifications, details and/or delivery schedules; issue task orders against the contract; make final decisions on disputed deductions from contract payments for nonperformance, or unsatisfactory performance; terminate the contract for convenience or default; and issue final decisions regarding contract questions or matters under dispute.

AGAR Clauses This solicitation incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of the clause may be accessed electronically at Internet address https://www.usda.gov/guidance-documents/acquisition-policy/ocp/usda-agar30-sept-26pdf.

AGAR 452.203-70 Unenforceable Supplier Terms (MAY 2026)

AGAR 452.204–70 Modification for Contract Closeout (Apr 2026)

AGAR 452.236-70 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (Sep 2026)

Solicitation Information

Award Type It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price Purchase Order consisting of a 30 DAY ARO performance period will be awarded as a result of this synopsis/solicitation.

https://www.usda.gov/guidance-documents/acquisition-policy/ocp/usda-agar30-sept-26pdf

The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation. Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.

Evaluation Criteria

Price: The quoter shall provide pricing as structured in the SF1449.

Any price discounts shall be included up front in the SF1449 quote pricing with any language details communicated in the Technical Capability Narrative. Total price evaluation will be for:

• The total period of performance.

• Individual CLIN pricing as listed on the SF1449

• Discounts (if applicable)

The quotation will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.204, to determine if it is fair and reasonable.

Technical Acceptability:

Technical Acceptability will be evaluated to receive an overall rating of “acceptable” or “unacceptable.” It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure their quotation clearly demonstrates their capability to meet these requirements.

The contractor must provide the following minimum information and documentation with their quotation to be considered responsive and have their quote evaluated:

1. Completed SF1449 blocks 17a with UEI indicated; block 24 with all CLINS priced; and completed blocks 30a, 30b, and 30c.

2. In the event of solicitation amendment, the signed SF30 acknowledgement(s.) Any amendment SF30 is required to be signed and submitted with the quote.

3. Technical Capability Narrative. The Technical Capability Narrative shall include a general confirmation of technical capability to meet the requirements of Attachment 1 Specifications. Specific confirmation is required for the “Task 1,” “Protein Pellet Specifications,” “Delivery Requirements,” and “Delivery Times” sections. The Attachment 1 Specification sections indicated shall be identified in the narrative and the narrative shall not exceed two standard letter size pages.

Past Performance:

The Government may utilize any references provided by the Contractor, along with information available from past contracts/orders with the USDA and any information found using sources such as Federal Government sources or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to determine if the Contractor has acceptable or neutral Past Performance. Past Performance will be evaluated using the following rating system:

• Acceptable: The contractor shows a demonstrated ability to meet contract requirements in prior or current contracts, including quality of work, timeliness, cost control, business relations, and adherence to contract terms.

• Neutral: Quoter does not have a past performance record.

• Unacceptable: The contractor has a documented history of failing to meet contract requirements, including poor quality, missed deadlines, cost overruns, lack of responsiveness, unethical behavior, any CPARS past performance evaluation rated less than “Satisfactory”, any Terminations for Default, or any Termination for Cause.

Evaluation Method:

The Government will evaluate quotations based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria.

Only the lowest priced quote will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability. Should the lowest priced quote not receive an acceptable technical or past performance rating, the process will continue in order of lowest priced quote until the lowest price, technically acceptable quote with acceptable or neutral past performance is identified.

Delivery Information F.o.b. destination, is requested as the F.O.B. point for all deliverables.

All quotations will be considered F.O.B. Destination.

Shipping Instructions Any Items shall be shipped to the following address:

PA RANGE AND LIVESTOCK RESEARCH

243 FORT KEOGH ROAD

MILES CITY MT 59301

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

FAR 52.212-1 is amended as follows:

Period for Acceptance of Quotes

The Quoter agrees to hold the prices in its quote firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of quotes.

Quote Submission

Quotes shall be submitted via email only to christopher.c.turner@usda.gov with the subject line “Quote for 1232SA27Q0012.” Quotes are due no later than the date and time indicated on sam.gov in the DATE OFFERS DUE section.

The completed SF1449 with pricing, the completed Attachment 2 and 3 declarations, and the technical narrative are required documents for quote submittal.

Questions Questions shall be submitted via email to christopher.c.turner@usda.gov and are due no later than 24 hours before the specific date and time noted in the DATE OFFERS DUE section of the sam.gov posting. This will ensure enough time to respond before the solicitation period ends. Please include the solicitation name and number as the subject line of the email.

52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation (Jan 2017)

52.209-2 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations - Representation (Sep 2025)

52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law (Sep 2025)

52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (Nov 2025)

The following provisions are applicable if checked:.

☐ 52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (Sep 2024)

☒ 52.204-7 System for Award Management—Registration (Nov 2025) ☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) to 52.204-7

☐ 52.204-90 Offeror Identification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.207-6 Solicitation of Offers from Small Business Concerns and Small Business Teaming

Arrangements or Joint Ventures (Multiple-Award Contracts) (Aug 2024) ☐ 52.209-12 Certification Regarding Tax Matters (Oct 2025) ☐ 52.219-2 Equal Low Bids (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-18 Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products (Feb

2021) ☐ 52.222-48 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards for

Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment–Certification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-52 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards for Certain

Services-Certification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-56 Certification Regarding Trafficking in Persons Compliance Plan (Oct 2020) ☐ 52.223-4 Recovered Material Certification (May 2008) ☒ 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate (Oct 2022) ☐ 52.225-4 Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certificate (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.225-6 Trade Agreements-Certificate (Feb 2021) ☐ 52.226-3 Disaster or Emergency Area Representation (Nov 2007) mailto:christopher.c.turner@usda.gov mailto:christopher.c.turner@usda.gov

☐ 52.229-11 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements—Notice and Representation (Jul 2025)

Other Applicable FAR Provisions

52.225-18 Place of Manufacture (Aug 2018)

NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Protest Procedures

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to fair, transparent, and efficient acquisitions. Interested parties with concerns about this solicitation are encouraged to seek resolution through the following USDA procedures.

Tier 1: Contracting Officer Concern Resolution

Submission: Interested parties with concerns about either the solicitation or subsequent award should first submit their concern directly to the Contracting Officer, providing sufficient detail to allow the Contracting Officer to understand and assess the issue.

Process: The Contracting Officer will review the concern, seek clarification as needed, and engage with the interested party to attempt prompt resolution.

Review Timeline: The Contracting Officer will make every effort to provide a response or resolution within 10 business days of receiving the concern.

Effect on Award or Performance: Tier 1 engagement is not considered an official notification of filing an agency protest and does not pause solicitation deadlines, delay award decisions, or suspend contract performance.

Next Steps: If the matter cannot be resolved at Tier 1, the interested party may file a written agency protest under Tier 2.

USDA encourages all parties to seek resolution with the Contracting Officer before filing an agency protest.

Tier 2: Agency Protest If concerns cannot be resolved at Tier 1, an interested party may file a written agency protest with either the Contracting Officer or the USDA Independent Review Authority. The decision by the USDA Independent Review Authority is an alternative to a decision by the Contracting Officer. The USDA Independent Review Authority will not consider an appeal of the Contracting Officer’s decision on an agency protest.

The protest must state whether the protester elects review by the Contracting Officer, by the UDSA Independent Review Authority. If no election is stated, the Contracting Officer will decide the protest.

Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104-4 (a)(3).

Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest.

Submission: Agency protests should be submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer.

Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104.

Effect on Award or Performance: Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

Review Timeline: USDA strives to resolve agency-level protests within 35 business days of receipt.

Election of Forum: By filing a protest with USDA, the protesters agree not to file a protest on the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protest is pending. If such a protest is filed externally, the USDA agency protest will be dismissed.

Questions: Questions regarding this notice or protest procedures should be directed to the Contracting Officer identified in this solicitation.

mailto:SPE.inquiry@usda.gov