Farm Contract_SWMRU_SOW_updated.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK: USDA-ARS SWMRU FARM CONTRACT

Scientists in the SWMRU will utilize cropland located near Stoneville, MS for FY20 field experiments (Fig. 1). Farm work will be needed to assist the scientists to achieve their research goals. According to the experimental design, various crops including cotton, corn, and soybean will be grown on these fields as indicated in Fig. 1. The row spacing used in the fields will be 38”. Both sprinkler and furrow irrigation will be used for irrigation. Procedures in land preparation and weed and insect control will be determined by the scientists based on research needs. However, farming practices used will be the generally recommended procedures in Mississippi Delta.

Fig. 1. Locations of the experimental fields including Field A (17.2 ac), Field B (17.4 ac), Field C (4.3 ac), Field D (26.5 ac); Baker Farm, Fisher (2.4 ac); and Mechanical Farm North (54.6 ac). Total acreage of the fields are 138.3 acres. In FY20, cotton will be grown in Field D (26.5 ac) and soybeans will be grown in all the remaining fields (95.9 ac).

Potential vendors are encouraged to visit the site and be escorted by a government representative to confirm locations, dimensions, and conditions of the contract before a bid is submitted. Site visit shall be for the purpose of observing any conditions relevant to the completion of this contract prior to bid submission.

A. Contractor Responsibility

· The vendor will perform the field work as follows Field Work for Cotton

· Planting and terminating cover crop in 6 plots

· Shred Stalks

· Rowing Up

· Planting

· Side Dress Fertilizer (including 12 plots with different nitrogen application rates)

· Harvest Using Cotton Picker

· Spraying Herbicide (3 trips or as needed)

· Spraying Insecticide (3 trips or as needed)

· Fertilizer Application (P+K)

· Scouting and Consulting

· Maintaining switch grass, levees, ditches and roads, installing furrow poly-pipe for furrow irrigation Field Work for Soybean

· Rowing Up

· Planting cover crop in two plots in “Mech Farm North” field. Each plot is about 10 ac.

· Planting

· Harvest with Yield Monitor

· Soybean Hauling

· Spraying Herbicide (2 trips or as required)

· Spraying Insecticide

· Fertilizer Application (P+K)

· Scouting and Consulting

· Maintaining switch grass, levees, ditches and roads, installing poly-pipe for furrow irrigation

· Vendor and SWMRU scientists will meet prior to beginning of all field work to arrange working schedule for field and crop management.

· Vendor will complete field work on time to meet SWMRU scientist requirements and keep in regular communication with SWMRU scientists.

· Vendor will provide and use their own equipment, labor, and fuel for work.

· Vendor will be responsible for all repair or maintenance costs associated with equipment utilized in this contract.

· All seed, fertilizer, and chemical purchases will be made by SWMRU scientists after consultation with vendor; however, these purchases are not part of the contract/bid process and will be the sole responsibility of SWMRU scientists.

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