Attachment_I-_Instructions_to_Offerors.pdf

Solicitation #12805B19Q0007 Attachment I

Instructions to Offerors

A. INFORMATION ON SEEDS

USMARC is requesting your recommendations in selecting corn hybrids and soybean varieties for the 2019 cropping season. All hybrids/varieties recommended should be yield proven (no experimental hybrids) in area test plots, supporting test plot data can be provided to Jessica.Massey@ars.usda.gov and will be passed on to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). All hybrids or varieties recommended should be currently offered and described in your 2019 seed guide. Individual hybrid/variety characteristics ratings, not provided in seed guide, should be described in each field’s comment section.

Field descriptions include a minimum request for insect resistance via GMO’s.

Additional or amplified events may be bid. Additional benefits of recommended hybrid will be considered when accepting or determining winning hybrid.

You may offer a recommendation for all fields described or only for fields you select.

The same corn hybrid may be offered as the recommended hybrid on more than 1 field(s) description. To help manage environmental risks, genetic diversity of hybrids should be considered. Individual plantings of a single hybrid or variety will be limited to a maximum of 3 fields.

USMARC feed needs are significantly impacted by climate. Rotations, seed hybrid/variety and quantities are subject to pre-plant adjustments.

Small allotments of seed may be delivered in bags. Large allotments of seed should be packaged in center flow bulk seed Pro-boxes. We would prefer to be able to return any unopened/undamaged bags for refund. Please state your position regarding this in the quote.

Seed deliveries can be made as soon as you have been notified of selections. Deliveries should be made by April 1, 2019.

Payment process will be initiated when seed is delivered.

B. SOLICIATION INFORMATION

1. Read the solicitation in its entirety.

2. Vendor is to fill out Attachment II of this solicitation and submit as pricing. Put N/A on the fields/seed type that you are not quoting.

3. Hybrids/varieties selected by USMARC will be the best value for USMARC;

awardee(s) will be selected based on Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

Vendors technical will be based on past performance at USMARC, yield data, genetic mailto:Jessica.Massey@ars.usda.gov

Solicitation #12805B19Q0007 Attachment I diversity, GMO events, plant characteristics. If a vendor is found to be NOT technically acceptable then ARS will go to the next lowest bidder for that field that is found technically acceptable for that hybrid. ***Lowest price will be determined based off ‘TOTAL FIELD COST’ fillable field on Attachment II to this solicitation.** We need test plot data on the seeds.

4. Questions related to this RFQ are due electronically via email by 2pm MST, February 6, 2019, to Jessica Massey at Jessica.Massey@ars.usda.gov .

5. Quotes must be submitted electronically via email by 2pm MST, February 8, 2019 to Jessica Massey at Jessica.Massey@ars.usda.gov .

6. The Government may elect to conduct discussions with offerors whose quotes are technically acceptable (or which may be expected to be made acceptable by moderate modification) and fall within the competitive price range. The Government reserves the right, however, to award a contract based on initial offers without conducting discussions. Therefore, each quote should be submitted in the most favorable terms, from a price and technical standpoint.

NOTE: All contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, as required by FAR 4.1102, by the quote submission deadline.

Information on registration may be obtained by visiting https://www.sam.gov.

This solicitation will be using NAICS codes:

• 111150- Corn Farming

• 111110- Soybean Farming

The above NAICS codes MUST be on your SAM registration.

7. There is an intent to issue multiple awards from this solicitation if it warrants it.

Since ARS plans to not purchase the same type hybrid seeds for more than 3 fields, ARS will purchase what is needed from the vendor that has been found to be the lowest technically acceptable by field for the specific seed type offered.

https://www.sam.gov/