SOW.docx

BACKGROUND

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, (ARS), Plant Genetic Resource Unit (PGRU) has a requirement for beehive rental on a seasonal basis for pollination of vegetable and buckwheat crops to produce high quality seed. The PGRU is responsible for maintenance of apples, cool-season grapes, tart cherries, vegetables, and buckwheat within the National Plant Germplasm system. It is located on the campus of the New York State Agricultural Research Station at Geneva, New York.

The beehives will be used for pollination of vegetable crops including but not limited to onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, collards, kale, Chinese cabbage, Bok Choy, Brussels sprouts, radish, squash, buckwheat, and celery. Pollination by bees is required to produce sufficient high quality seed for distribution and storage.

PGRU will not be responsible for supplemental feedings, medical treatments, or for the condition of the bees and hives at the end of each season.

The PGRU will return the five frame nuc beehives at the end of the season with or without the bees and with no guarantee of the condition of the bees.

Schedule

The performance period will begin with the base year on April 30, 2017 or date of contract award, through April 29, 2018, plus four (4) 12 month option periods for a total contract period of five (5) years.

On or around April 30 Contractor delivers 1/3 of the number of hives required for each performance period to the PGRU.

May 14 PGRU reports acceptance/no-acceptance to the Contractor.

On or around May 31 Contractor delivers 1/3 of the number of hives required for each performance period to the PGRU.

June 15 PGRU reports acceptance/no-acceptance to the Contractor.

On or around July 15 Contractor delivers 1/3 of hives required for each performance period to the PGRU.

July 31 PGRU reports acceptance/no-acceptance to the Contractor.

Sept. 30-0ct. 31 Contractor removes all hives

REQUIREMENTS

1. The requirements include:

· Furnish and deliver active bees in good condition in five-frame nuclear beehives for pollination of these crops in mesh-covered cages (12 x 12 ft. up to 12 x 48 ft. in size), active, and with viable queen to ensure adequate pollination activity

· Provide live hives, guaranteed to be healthy, active with a viable queen. Hives shall be free of pathogens or pests. Hives shall also be free of Africanized colonies.

· Remove and replace dead, sick or inactive hives with healthy hives upon telephone notification by PGRU. The Contractor shall provide replacement bees and/or hives in accordance with the specifications, with one week notification by the PGRU.

· Provide 170 hives per season, as determined by the PGRU.

· Deliver 1/3 of the hives for the contract period on or around April 30 of each year, 1/3 of the hives for the contract period on or around May 31 of each year, and 1/3 of the hives for the contract period on or around July 15 of each year.

Should the delivery dates fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, then the next business day shall be the actual delivery date.

· Deliver the hives to the USDA, ARS, Wellington Farm at 2939 Pre-Emption Road, Geneva, NY 14456. The Contractor shall place hives in apiary grounds as directed by the PGRU.

· The Contractor shall retain all honey produced from the hives at their own expense. The collection method shall be approved by the PGRU.