36C24223Q0094.docx

Special Notice Special Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 2 2875 Union Road Suite 3500 Cheektowaga NY 14227

POINT OF CONTACT*

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLICIT FROM A SINGLE SOURCE

VA VISN 2’s intends to negotiate with a single source in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) for an agricultural training program delivered to eligible VA VISN 2 Veterans. CORNELL UNIVERSITY (non-profit organization) has been identified as being uniquely qualified, centrally located within VISN 2, and has a currently established program that has been specifically created for and delivered to Veterans in the past.

All responsible sources who believe they can furnish the service described in this notice may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency by emailing Joseph.Cellino@va.gov with details regarding your firm’s capability no later than 10:00AM EST on November 10, 2022. The training is required to be located within a reasonable driving distance of the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, New York.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

One year from approximately December 01, 2022 to November 31, 2023

IDENTIFIED SOURCE:

CORNELL UNIVERSITY (non-profit organization)

SAM UEI: G56PUALJ3KT5

341 PINE TREE RD

ITHACA, NY, 14850

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT:

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

Provide all facilities, staffing and expertise for an agricultural training program delivered to eligible Veterans. The goal of this program is to train Veterans and develop a network of Veterans starting careers in agriculture. The contractor will instruct participants to complete surveys, which the contractor shall create in coordination with the VA, and provide the VA with the results.

Training events will include a mix of educational classes covering topics such as risk management, business planning and marketing as they relate to starting a career in agriculture. It also includes hands-on activities with successful livestock, crop and agritourism operations. Final training topics, agendas and dates are subject to prior VA approval. Only participants selected and approved by the VA may receive training under this contract.

The contractor will match Veterans with local resources and address the individual needs of their enterprise or learning interests.

Training events will include a mix of both in person and virtual events in various forms, such as virtual seminars on a single horticulture/farming topic, virtual workshops, and in-person educational classes.

Support a peer network of Veterans and their families who are starting careers in sustainable agriculture and connect technical assistance resources to participants and their partners as they start and improve their farming operations.

Document and report all results.

2. DELIVERABLES

A. CONDUCT VIRTUAL INTERACTIVE LIVE SEMINARS ON SINGLE TOPICS (6)

i. Provide eligible Veterans with virtual interaction to gain knowledge or tips about the topic of discussion. These 1-2 hour seminars will be led by a subject matter expert who will be in an indoor or outdoor active setting, teaching an individual common task related to horticulture pursuits or farming. The contractor will host these events in coordination with the VA’s authorized representative to ensure maximum attendance and appropriate content for participants’ interests and skill level.

ii. Topic Examples:

a. Growing and Using Plants to Dye Fabric

b. Foraging for Pigment Bearing Plants

c. Raising Sheep for Fiber

d. Assessing Soil Health

B. CONDUCT IN PERSON TRAINING INTENSIVES (4)

i. Provide eligible Veterans with in-person training, supplemented with online educational training materials, ranging in topics from enterprise specific crop, livestock, and urban farming general subjects related to risk management, agritourism, value-added processing, farm business and marketing. These courses work towards the goal of encouraging a deeper understanding of options leasing to success as either an entrepreneurial farmer, or employee in an agricultural-based businesses. The contractor will host up to 12 in-person events (targeting 3 per quarter) coordinated with the VA’s authorized representative to ensure maximum attendance and appropriate content for participants’ interests and skill level.

ii. Topic Examples:

a. Drying and Preserving Herbs

b. Growing Figs in High Tunnels

c. Building a Loom & Weaving with Upcycled Materials

d. Botanical Printing

e. Creating a Flower Press Using Found Materials

C. 5-DAY “ARMED TO FARM” TRAININGS (1)

i. Provide eligible Veterans with the opportunity to participate in a 5-day workshops as part of a small cadre of up to 20-30 veterans and their partners (up to 60 participants total). The program includes classroom activities facilitated by state-wide and nationally known educators, combined with farm tours at successful small farms in the region.

ii. Training topics will address the specific needs of Veterans and complement existing, established VAMC partnerships and resources.

iii. Room and board will be provided by the contractor. All participants will be provided three meals per day and individual overnight accommodations. The specific overnight accommodations are subject to prior VA approval.

D. PROVIDE A GREENHOUSE TRAINING PLAN FOR BATH VA

iv. Design and develop an annual program to support optimal use of a greenhouse as part of a larger horticulture therapy initiative. The program will take into account the various Veteran groups that may access the VA greenhouses, organizational restrictions and sustainable activities that can be conducted year after year.

D. REQUIRED REPORTS

i. The contractor will support a peer network of Veterans and their families who are starting careers in sustainable agriculture and connect technical assistance resources to participants and their partners as they start and improve their farming operations.

ii. Contractor will track each participants’ participation in the program and report individual and class progress to partners on a quarterly basis. No personal information will be recorded beyond names and basic contact information.

Special Notice