B09_Questions_and_Answers_0001.pdf

Native Seed Production Solicitation 140L3726R0009

Questions and Answers

1. The solicitation says due at 1pm MT but you said 10...what time is it due on 9/3?

Answer, the solicitation closes at 1300 MT time on 9/3.

2. Clarification on Technical Evaluation submission. If you are bidding on multiple items from different regions, the sowing plans need to be submitted for each region separately. Example, you are bidding on multiple lines of Bottlebrush from different regions, even though the sowing plan is the same for the different lines, you need to write-up a separate growing plan for each region you are bidding on.

Another clarification, on the bidsheet submission, you need to delete any lines that you are not bidding on, but please leave the division lines that identify the different regions. The Attachment 1 bidsheet has been updated as part of this amendment.

You have to utilize the updated version for your submission.

3. Is the expectation that you are only bidding on lots that are from the same ecoregion or seed zone as the growing fields? Are there any limitations on where specific lots can be grown?

Is the solicitation intended only for growers whose production fields are located within the Cascades ecoregion, or may growers located in adjacent areas within the Rogue and Umpqua watersheds bid on Cascades seed lots, provided they can meet all certification, genetic integrity, and production requirements?

Answer, Growers are not limited to the ecoregion of the stock seed, however the location of the grower can affect the Technical Evaluation Factor rating. A Cascade grower would rate higher on a PNW species over a Wyoming growing site.

4. So for small lots, we have a total cost and then we send you all the seed harvested and cleaned?

Answer, that is correct.

5. Also, what are the seed clean standards you need for each species?

Answer, In Columns P and N on the Attachment 1 Bid Schedule is a column named Required Minimum PLS rating. Your cleaned seed must meet the purity and TZ rates required to have a calculated PLS rate that meets or exceeds the percentage listed in column P and N.

6. So we don't include the seed tests in our budget? We can just suggest to you who we'd like you to test with?

Second question along the same line. So, we do not sample it at the cleaner and send in for testing ourselves?

Anwser, Seed testing should be included in your offered price. We pull the sample after the seed is received at the warehouse. You fill out and provide the Attachment 3 Requested Seed Test info which you sign and authorize payment to your company and allow the BLM to receive a copy of the test result.

On the second question, the BLM pulls the official sample for the acceptance testing, however, sampling and testing may be required to get tags and you may want to test the seed after cleaning to ensure the seed meets the specifications to avoid shipping, retrieving, reconditioning, and redelivery.

7. I have a question on a crop failing. Do we still get partial funding for establishment fees for small and large lots? If there isn't field establishment would documentation still be required and what would the payment process be?

Answer- The payment for the first-year field establishment could be affected by the field failure prior to being “established”. The government will evaluate the effort and the documentation provided to determine if full payment is appropriate. If the crop fails due to some negligence the establishment fee will be adjusted.

From Statement of Work, Section 6.2 Inspection and Acceptance, subpart (f):

If a lot establishment fails to produce a harvestable crop or the harvested pounds are minimal, the contractor will be required to document the farming conditions (weather and physical), methods used, applications applied, etc that will be provided to the Government prior to contract close out to be used as data for future requests. The field establishment fee and maintenance fees may be affected by the failure to produce a harvestable crop. Provided documentation and progress reports will be reviewed and the COR and CO will determine what portion of the fees shall be paid.

8. For both small and large lots, is there reimbursement for producing more seed than expected? Does the BLM plan on taking only a certain amount of seed, or is the plan to purchase any seed that is excess?

Answer- For small lots, all seed produced will be turned over to the BLM. On the large lots, the solicitation has a provision that allows for an option to purchase additional quantities if available. The price of the additional quantities will be negotiated.

9. Will all seed stock seed material available be properly certified upstream to facilitate certification post planting/establishment?

Answer- Unless provided documentation is not sufficient to provide source identified seed with your state’s seed certifying agency, all seed delivered to the Government shall be source identified (SI) certified native seed under the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) Certification program for Pre-Variety Germplasm (PVG) according to the requirements herein.

10. When bidding on multiple lines, what are the options if a company is selected for more lines than they are capable of growing?

Answer- On the B09 Revised Bid Schedule a block of cells has been added where you can identify the maximum number of different lines that your company can handle and the maximum number of acres that can be selected by the government.

This should lessen the risk to the offeror and not negatively affect the government’s selection of lines.

11. We are wondering about isolation distance requirements for seed certification and if proximity to wild stands of the same species or congeners needs to be considered?

AZ does not have a PVG program at this time.

Answer-You are required to meet all AOSCA standards.

If you want to limit the amount of lines that are awarded to your company, identify the maximum # of lines and acres per Small and Large

Yes or No Total # for Both Small and Large Yes or No

Maximum # of Lines:

Maximum # of Acres:

Applies to Small lots only:

12. How recent are the TZ tests that are reported on the bid sheet?

Answer- The date of the most recent TZ test is listed in columns J and I for the large and small lot bid sheets respectively. Most tests are between March and May 2026.

For a few lots, we have older tests listed with new tests pending. The bid sheet indicates which ones have pending tests. In order to retain seed viability in between testing and sending seed to growers, G0 seed from the Seeds of Success program are stored in conditions appropriate for long term (15 F) or medium-term (40 F) storage and low relative humidity. Seed storage partners include the US Forest Service Bend Seed Extractory, US Forest Service Dorena Genetic Resource Center, and the Leger Lab at University of Nevada Reno.