A14_SourcesSought_Seed Increase 2020_1.docx

The National Park Service has a requirement for the following service. If you are interested, please submit your detailed capabilities in WRITING to demonstrate same or similar experience. This is not a request for proposal or quote. No proposal package, solicitation, statement of work/performance work statement are available with this announcement. Response to this announcement is strictly voluntary; no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this sources sought announcement or any follow-up information requests. If you choose to submit a package, clearly identify the NPS Seed Increase on your package and identify your socioeconomic status (8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran, WOSB, EDWOSB, and Small).

Your email capability information MUST be 10 pages or less and be SPECIFIC to the scope provided. You must also provide a letter from your bonding company verifying your bonding levels.

The Government anticipates conducting a competitive acquisition for this requirement. The amount of interest or lack thereof will determine the possibility of a competitive set-aside or full and open competition (the size of a small business firm includes all parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, etc.—see 13 CFR 121.108.) Misrepresentation of size status can result in penalties. All firms should be registered and certified in www.SAM.gov.

Please refer to the current SBA rules regarding HUBZone firms, effective October 1, 2011. Send your email responses Todd_stackhouse@nps.gov Analysis of the quality of responses to this sources sought announcement will be considered in the market research being conducted, and in the making of any small business set-aside determination for this requirement.

Seed Increase for the National Park Service Pacific West, Intermountain West, and Mid-west park units.

NAICS Code: 115112 Estimated Period of Performance: April 2020 – April 2025

Project Description General: The National Park Service (NPS), Department of Interior, is seeking responses from Seed Increase contractor who have the capability and interest in field increasing NPS ecotype seeds. This requirement will be for the grow out of 3 to 6 species native grasses and forb species for multiple park units. The immediate need is for a contractor to grow 3 grass species that originate from Bryce Canyon National Park and for 3 to 4 grass species that originate from Rocky Mountain National Park. The contractor will be provided wildland collected seed and is expected to 1) test park provided seed for viability and purity, 2) plant and grow seed in an agricultural setting in the size of field agreed upon and in such a way as to maximize seed production, 3) harvest and clean seed, 4) test cleaned seed, 5) store seed in appropriate environmental conditions, 6) deliver cleaned tested seed to park units upon request.

Required Capabilities and Evaluation Criteria:

Contractors should address the following criteria in their capability statements:

1. Experience growing native species for seed increase. Describe the native species the contractor has successfully grown and the geographic / elevational range of those species native ranges.

2. Experience producing seed with low non-target seed content. Contractor must demonstrate the ability to produce seed that is free of noxious weeds and has no or low quantities of other unwanted non-target species.

3. Experience and ability with establishing, growing, maintaining, and harvesting native species seed production fields at high elevations (>6,000 feet).

4. Experience growing native seed increase fields from 0.25 to 5 acres in size.