Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions.pdf

Peanut Standards Verification Services for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP)

Solicitation Number 12639526Q0040

Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 12639526Q0040 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for non-personal peanut verification services for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP). Services may be required nationwide, but primarily in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

This acquisition is not set-aside for small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. The small business size standard is $19.0 million This acquisition is an unrestricted requirement. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the agency.

Performance Work Statement

1. Description of Services The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP) has a need for contractor-provided peanut standards verification services.

Services may be required nationwide, but primarily in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia.

Under this contract, the Contractor shall provide all management, supervision, labor, and subcontracts necessary to provide the required services described in this solicitation.

2. Pricing of Services This is a Firm Fixed-Price, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract and will not be changed unless there is a change in the scope of work.

3. Background:

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) requires all peanuts marketed in the United States to be inspected and graded by Federal or Federal-State inspectors. Imported peanuts are subject to the same quality and handling standards as domestically produced peanuts. As provided under the Farm Bill, the Peanut Standards Board (Board), which is comprised of peanut industry members, consults with USDA on the establishment and revision of peanut standards. Peanuts in the United States are produced and marketed with the support of Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies including the

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Several State and private agencies assist locally throughout various parts of the marketing chain.

4. Quality and Standards:

The Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States (Standards), as amended (7 CFR part 996), were established in 2002 and further modified in 2003, 2005, 2016, and 2018. The Standards regulate both the incoming quality of farmers’ stock peanuts and the outgoing quality of peanuts prepared for human consumption. The Standards are applicable to all peanuts produced in or imported into the United States. Grading and inspections are performed by Federal or Federal-State inspectors authorized by AMS, Specialty Crops Program (SCP), and Specialty Crops Inspection Division. Aflatoxin testing and certification is performed by USDA or USDA approved laboratories authorized by AMS, Science and Technology Program. Working closely with the AMS, SCP Market Development Division (MDD), which oversees the Standards, the contractor verifies compliance with the Standards through visits to handler facilities and review of inspection and certification documentation. The contractor prepares and forwards case referrals regarding violations to MDD for enforcement action.

5. Incoming and Outgoing Inspection Processes:

After harvesting and field drying, “farmers stock” peanuts (harvested peanuts that have not been shelled, cleaned, or crushed) are delivered to a buying point. Buying points are facilities owned by handlers to acquire, inspect, and store peanuts delivered from producers.

Buying points are usually located within a few miles of where the peanuts are harvested.

Upon arrival, peanuts are inspected, graded, and segregated to establish the field-run quality and value of the product.

Authorized Federal or Federal-State inspectors draw samples by inserting a pneumatic sampler (a long tube with a vacuum attached) into the peanuts in the wagon and withdrawing a representative quantity of peanuts according to a specified methodology.

From this sample, the inspector determines the milled content, size of pods, percentage of damaged kernels, amount of foreign material, and kernel moisture content. These values are used to determine the grade and segregation of the incoming peanuts.

The Standards define three classifications of incoming peanuts: Segregation I, Segregation II, and Segregation III. The classifications refer to the amount of damage and defects found on the kernels. Peanuts move on to the shelling process, where they are stored at handlers’ large, bulk warehouses. Upon removal from the warehouse, the peanuts are cleaned of stones, soil, bits of vines, and other foreign material. The cleaned peanuts then move by conveyor belt through a pre-sizer and onto shelling machines, in which the peanuts are forced through perforated grates, which separate the kernels from the shells.

Numerous shakers separate the kernels from the pods. The kernels are then passed over various screens where they are sorted by size into market grades. The kernels also pass over moisture meters to determine the average moisture content of the peanut kernels. The kernels are further inspected with electronic eyes, which eliminate the discolored or defective kernels, as well as any remaining foreign material.

Following the cleaning and shelling process, inspectors take samples of the “milled” product for use in the outgoing quality inspection. Imported lots are sampled and inspected at the port-of-entry or at some other location upon arrival in the U.S. All lots are tracked using positive lot identification (PLI) or other established traceability systems which follow the peanuts through the remaining inspection, testing, and marketing chain.

The samples are analyzed for moisture, damage, defect, and foreign material. Additional samples are drawn and sent to USDA or USDA-approved laboratories for aflatoxin analysis. A total of up to three tests, as specified in § 996.40 of the Standards, may be required to determine whether the lot is “negative” for aflatoxin, meaning that the aflatoxin content is 15 parts per billion (ppb) or less §

996.15. If so, the lot is certified and may be shipped for human consumption. Lots failing for grade or aflatoxin may be remilled or blanched, prior to retesting. Otherwise, failing lots are so identified and may be diverted for exempted uses, or may be exported.

6. Accountability:

All peanut handlers, importers, remillers, and blanchers are required to maintain traceability on all products (passing and failing) that have been milled and blanched.

Traceability must be maintained throughout production runs with specific lot codes, and there shall be complete linkage from raw material receipt through final disposition.

Handlers and importers are required to maintain all relevant documentation on the disposition of inedible peanuts as part of their food safety traceability requirements.

The documentation maintained must be sufficient to document and substantiate the proper disposition of all peanuts failing grade or aflatoxin quality standards.

The contractor monitors and tracks inspection results and outgoing grade and aflatoxin testing results (approximately 90,000 annually) electronically, or presents a plan for implementing practices to reduce the use of paper, as in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. In addition, the contractor is responsible for monitoring and tracking the final disposition of imported lots and lots of exported U.S. peanuts that are returned to the U.S.

The contractor must be able to obtain proof in the form of documentation from the peanut handler that supports the final disposition of failing and remilled lots as part of an audit or an investigation into an alleged violation. The contractor will maintain an electronic database capable of tracking all aflatoxin testing and grade results, from all handlers, detailing the meeting and failing outgoing quality requirements for all peanuts, or implement practices to reduce the use of paper, as in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The contractor will be responsible for generating and submitting quarterly reports from the database for all aflatoxin testing and grade results to MDD electronically.

7. Violations:

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to receive or acquire peanuts intended for subsequent human consumption unless those peanuts have been inspected and certified as meeting the incoming quality requirements specified under §

996.30 of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to ship for human consumption shelled or cleaned inshell peanuts that have not been positive lot identified by an authorized inspector as required under § 996.40(a) of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to ship for human consumption peanuts that have not been chemically analyzed by a USDA or USDA-approved laboratory and certified “negative” as to aflatoxin as specified under §§ 996.31 – 996.60 of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to ship for human consumption peanuts that have not been inspected and certified as meeting the outgoing minimum quality requirements as specified under §§ 996.31 – 996.60 of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to fail to submit or maintain records as specified under § 996.71 of the Standards.

8. Objective:

The contractor’s primary objective is to verify handler and importer compliance with the established Standards.

9. Scope:

AMS provides program oversight and requires the services of a private contractor (contractor) for verification of compliance with the Standards. The contractor will be responsible for performing the required duties as defined in the Standards and listed below under accountability, compliance, and violations.

10. Compliance:

The contractor’s compliance efforts focus on ensuring that failing and non-edible quality grades of peanuts do not enter the human consumption marketing chain. Periodic audit verifications of shelling plants, blanchers, and crushers is a necessary component of the compliance program.

The frequency of visits to handler facilities depends upon the size of the operation, its activities, and recent history of compliance issues. Regular communications between the inspectors and the contractor is essential in monitoring the activities at different handler operations. This includes notifying AMS and assisting with the compliance activities as described in the Standards under section 996.74 Compliance.

11. Violations:

The contractor is responsible for investigating all complaints of alleged violations. The contractor must maintain an electronic internal record keeping system of complaints received and electronically document follow-up actions taken, and final disposition.

The contractor must report all violation cases to AMS even if the handler or importer took corrective action. The contractor will send violation cases to AMS as case referrals, in electronic format, for review and potential action immediately after substantiating the violations. Referrals should include sufficient information to describe all of the facts of the case and provide all of the necessary documentation to substantiate the violation on its merits. The contractor must ensure that adequate evidence or exhibits have been collected that support the allegations, such as milled peanut inspections, photographs, statements from witness statements, and disposition of the product, etc. Determination of adequate evidence is made on a case-by-case basis as appropriate.

12. Contractor Duties, Responsibilities and Deliverables:

a. Compliance Oversight:

Conducts handler visits as needed and ensure every handler receives an in-person visit at least once a year to observe and confirm compliance with the Peanut Standards.

Ensures blanchers and remillers are in compliance with the Standards (includes providing AMS with reports).

Observes cold storage areas and loading docks, if applicable.

Receives, investigates, documents, and electronically reports to AMS complaints of violations.

Prepares correspondence relating to compliance and/or enforcement activities, such as reports of compliance activity for organizations, recommendations for corrective actions, or other correspondence as per AMS guidance.

Tracks and monitors compliance of all outgoing peanut inspection certificates.

Tracks and maintains electronic records of all aflatoxin lab certificates.

Monitors compliance of lots re-designated as non-edible (including incoming inspection certificates).

Monitors compliance of AMS policies and discusses compliance issues with handlers and AMS MDD personnel.

b. Reporting and Record Keeping Responsibilities:

Assembles, compiles, and analyzes all information necessary in connection with the performance of the official duties of the contractor.

Keeps any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) confidential.

Maintains all books and records in accordance with AMS policies and procedures.

Prepares and completes on a monthly-basis, a services report regarding the actions performed in the prior month. This report must include a summary of the current data for each crop year (typically up to four crop years at any given time), including positive lots, lots failing grade, non-edible lots, and lots going to wildlife feed.

Employs periodic updates in technology to ensure timely and efficient reporting of requested information, and for the tracking of compliance efforts.

Documents are handled electronically or practices to reduce the use of paper are implemented, as in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Prepares and submits electronic reports regarding compliance activities, including, but not limited to, the number of handler visits, failed certificates reviewed, and corrective actions taken on a monthly basis (including submitting quarterly reports to the USDA Technical Point of Contact for USDA to submit to the FDA).

c. Program Consultation and Updates:

Consults with AMS regarding the potential impacts of adjustments to the Standards in terms of compliance.

Visits with MDD to review and evaluate the work specified in the contract, including, virtual visits (as needed), one in person visit with MDD’s Winter Haven, Florida office at the contractor’s location, and one in-person visit by the Compliance and Enforcement Branch (CEB) to the contractor’s office every two to three years.

Updates MDD on changes and improvements to document retention, communication, and database technologies.

Provides background information regarding the status of the industry and the contract as requested.

Notifies and seeks AMS approval regarding any request for information from outside sources.

d. Enforcement Activities:

Prepares and submits case referral reports in a timely manner (depending upon the scope and complexity of each case) for enforcement purposes by AMS.

Provides AMS with additional information on compliance cases, upon request.

13. Contract Overview and Period of Performance

USDA anticipates awarding one (1) Firm-Fixed Price, IDIQ contract from this solicitation. It is anticipated that the period of performance for the IDIQ contract will be 03/01/2026 – 02/28/2031, and the IDIQ will contain a total of five (5) one-year Ordering Periods for services.

14. Places of Performance:

The Contractor must provide peanut verification services throughout the continental United States, but mostly in the following states: Alabama (AL); Florida (FL); Georgia (GA); New Mexico (NM);

North Carolina (NC); South Carolina (SC); Oklahoma (OK); Texas (TX); Virginia (VA).

15. Points of Contact:

Contract Specialist:

Matthew Phillips

USDA, APHIS, MRP

Acquisition and Asset Management Divison Direct: 479-301-8811 Matthew.Phillips3@usda.gov

Contracting Officer:

Robert Zeglin

USDA, APHIS, MRP

Acquisition and Asset Management Divison Direct: 612-336-3205 Robert.Zeglin@usda.gov

Technical Point of Contacts:

Steven Kauffman Gwen Holcomb (COR)

USDA, AMS, SCP-MDD

Direct: 863-307-3286 Steven.Kauffman@usda.gov; Gwen.Holcomb@usda.gov

Invoice (IPP) Approver:

Serita Daniel

USDA, AMS

Direct: 202-557-0325 Serita.Daniel@usda.gov

16. Qualifications of Key Personnel (Project Manager):

The Contractor must submit resumes for all new employees proposed as “key personnel” to the USDA Technical Point of Contact before they begin work during the entirety of the contract period of performance (base and all option periods). The USDA Technical Point of Contact may deny permission to allow new personnel to provide services under this contract if qualifications indicate a material degradation from the skill levels indicated in the Contractor’s quotation that was accepted by USDA for contract award, or if skills or reliability concerns are such that the USDA Technical Point of Contact believes the protection of building equipment may be jeopardized.

Minimum Qualifications of Key Personnel: The intent of this paragraph is to be for informational purposes only and is not to be considered prescribed positions by the Government. However, the Contractor must adhere to the below minimum qualifications when the positions are utilized and proposed in the Performance Work Statement. Resumes for Key Personnel must be submitted with the contractor’s quotation.

Contract Project Manager: The Contractor must designate a Contract Project Manager in writing and provide the name and contact information to the USDA Contracting Officer and USDA Technical Points of Contact. The Contract Project Manager is considered essential to the work being performed under this Contract.

The Contract Project Manager must possess at least five (5) years of recent (within the past seven years) experience in the management and supervision of maintaining and troubleshooting complex conveyance & automation systems. A detailed resume must be submitted to the USDA Contracting Officer and USDA Technical Point of Contact for approval prior to the assignment of the Project Manager to the Contract. Both new and replacement Project Managers must meet these qualification standards. Minimally, the resume must contain:

a. The full name of the proposed project manager.

b. A detailed description of the proposed project manager’s employment history for the previous seven years. The names and addresses of the companies for whom the proposed project manager worked for the past seven years, along with the names and telephone numbers of the immediate supervisors. The resume must contain sufficient information for the USDA to be able to determine that the proposed Project Manager possesses the required relevant experience.

Any request for substitution of Key Personnel after contract award must include a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution, a resume for the proposed substitute, and any other information requested by the Contracting Officer. Any proposed substitute must have qualifications equal to or superior to the qualifications of the incumbent. The USDA Technical Point of Contact will evaluate such requests and promptly notify the Contractor of their approval or disapproval thereof.

If any of the identified Key Personnel cease to perform under the contract and the substitute is disapproved, the contract may be immediately terminated in accordance with the termination clause of the contract.

17. Employee Training:

The Contractor must maintain a training program to ensure employees working under this Contract have the experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work required by this Contract.

18. Appearance:

Contractor personnel must present a neat appearance and be easily recognized. This must be accomplished by wearing uniforms bearing the name of the company and employee name.

Uniforms must be regularly laundered, consistent among personnel classifications, and maintained presentable to tenant personnel during all working hours.

19. Submission of Invoices:

Payment for firm fixed-price monthly services will be made based on a monthly invoice, in arrears. All invoices must be submitted electronically, on a monthly-basis, via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) located at www.ipp.gov.

Technical Data

1. Solicitation Attachments The following documents are included as attachments to this solicitation and can be accessed via the “Attachments/Links” section of the posting.

Attachment 2 - Vendor Quotation Form Attachment 3 - Vendor Experience and Past Performance Sheet Attachment 4 - US DOL Wage Determination No. 2015-4281 Rev. No. 35 Dated Dec

3 2025

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Aquiculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions The clauses and provisions contained herein are applicable to any order awarded as a result of this solicitation. The terms and conditions set forth herein supersede all other terms and conditions.

Acceptance of the order in accordance with (IAW) FAR 12.201-1(b)(2) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions contained herein.

As part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), system updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offers based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also the full text of the clause may be accessed electronically at Internet address https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025) ☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.212-4 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.222-50 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) 52.233-3 Protest After Award (Sep 2025) 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Sep 2025) 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.240-91 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

The following clauses are applicable if checked:

☒ 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020) with Alternate I (Nov 2021) of 52.203-6 ☐ 52.203-13 Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) ☒ 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel Jan 2011 ☒ 52.204-13 System for Award Management—Maintenance (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.204-91 Contractor identification (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Sep 2025) ☒ 52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Sep 2025) ☒ 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Sep 2025) ☒ 52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Mar 2020).

☒ 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate III (Nov 2025) of 52.219-9.

☐ Alternate IV (Nov 2025) of 52.219-9

☒ 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.219-33 Nonmanufacturer Rule (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) ☐ 52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35 ☒ 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36 ☒ 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) ☒ 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) ☐ 52.223-9 Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008)

☐ Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 ☒ 52.223-11 Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.223-12 Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services ☒ 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017)

Commented [CGT1]: Each solicitation and contract for the acquisition of products or services (including construction).

☐ Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3 ☐ 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1 ☐ 52.225-3 Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate II (Nov 2025) of 52.225-3.

☐ Alternate III (Nov 2025) of 52.225-3.

☐ Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3

☐ 52.225-5 Trade Agreements (Nov 2023) ☐ 52.225-19 Contractor Personnel in a Designated Operational Area or Supporting a Diplomatic or Consular Mission outside the United States (May 2020) ☐ 52.225-26 Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) ☐ 52.226-4 Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) ☐ 52.226-5 Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Aug 2025) ☐ 52.229-12 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements ☐ 52.232-29 Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) ☐ 52.232-30 Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) ☒ 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management (Oct 2018) ☐ 52.232-34 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) ☐ 52.232-36 Payment by Third Party (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.240-92 Security Requirements (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate II (Nov 2025) of 52.240-92 ☒ 52.240-93 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (No 2025) ☐ 52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Apr 2023) of 52.247-64.

☐ Alternate II (Nov 2021) of 52.247-64

The Contractor shall comply with the following FAR Clauses for Commercial Services.

☒ 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) ☒ 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014)

This Statement is for Information Only:

It is not a Wage Determination

Employee Class Monetary Wage -- Fringe Benefits

01020 Administrative Assistant $39.97/hr. ($5.09/hr. Health & Welfare)

☒ 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018)

☐ 52.222-44 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (May 2014) ☐ 52.222-51 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) ☐ 52.222-53 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Nov 2025)

Other Applicable Clauses

52.216-18 Ordering (Aug 2020)

Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from 03/01/2026 through 02/28/2031.

52.216-19 Delivery – Order Limitations (Oct 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $2,500, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor-

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $1,000,000.00;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $1,000,000.00;

; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 30 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (Nov 2025) the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 02/28/2031.

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) 30 calendar days prior to contract expiration 52.247-34 F.O.B. Destination (Jan 1991)

AGAR Clauses

452.204–70 Modification for Contract Closeout (Nov 2025)

(a) If unliquidated funds in the amount of $1000 or less remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer (Contracting Officer) shall issue a unilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification but will not be required to provide a signature. The Contracting Officer shall immediately proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(b) Upon contract closeout for contracts utilizing SAP: if unliquidated funds of more than $1000 remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer shall issue a bilateral modification for deobligation.

The contractor will receive a copy of the modification and will be required to provide a signature.

(The Contracting Officer may also request a “Contractor Release of Claims” be completed by the contractor, although not required for contracts and orders using SAP.) If the bilateral modification and Release of Claims are not returned to the Contracting Officer within 60 days, the Contracting

Officer shall release the modification as unilateral and proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(c) Upon contract closeout for contracts utilizing anything other than cost reimbursement, if unliquidated funds of more than $1000 remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer shall issue a bilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification and a ‘‘Contractor Release of Claims’’ and will be required to provide a signature on both forms. If the bilateral modification and Release of Claims are not returned to the Contracting Officer within 120 days, the Contracting Officer shall release the modification as unilateral and proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(End of Clause)

452.204-71 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Employees (Nov 2025)

(a) The contractor shall comply with the personal identity verification (PIV) policies and procedures established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Directives 4620-002 series.

(b) Should the USDA Directives 4620-002 require the exclusion of a contractor's employee, the contracting officer will notify the contractor in writing. The contractor must appoint a representative to manage compliance with the PIV policies established by the USDA Directives 4620-002 and to maintain a list of employees eligible for a USDA LincPass required for performance of the work.

(c) The responsibility of maintaining a sufficient workforce remains with the contractor. Contractor employees may be barred by the Government from performance of work should they be found ineligible or to have lost eligibility for a USDA LincPass. Failure to maintain a sufficient workforce of employees eligible for a USDA LincPass may be grounds for termination of the contract.

(d) The contractor shall insert this clause in all subcontracts when the subcontractor is required to have routine unaccompanied physical access to a Federally controlled facility and/or routine unaccompanied access to a Federally controlled information system.

(e) The PIV Sponsor for this contract is a designated program point of contact, which in most cases is the COR, unless otherwise specified in this contract. The PIV Sponsor will be available to receive contractor identity information Monday through Friday during normal business hours at USDA, AMS, SCP-MDD. The Government will notify the contractor if there is a change in the PIV Sponsor, the office address, or the office hours for registration; however, it is the contractor's responsibility to meet all aspects of paragraphs (c), (d), and (e).

(End of Clause)

452.203-71 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance (Dec 2025)

(a) By entering into this contract, the Contractor certifies that:

(1) It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and it will remain compliant for the duration of the contract.

(2) Neither it nor any subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and the Contractor and any subcontractor or teaming partner will not do so for the duration of the contract.

(b) If the Contractor participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, the Contractor certifies that it will remain compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The Contractor affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the Contractor is not eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to Contractor’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the Contractor to liability under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) The Contractor must include the provisions of this clause in all subcontract solicitations.

(g) Failure on the part of the Contractor or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate this contract for default.

(End of Clause)

Solicitation Information

Award Type

It is anticipated that a Firm-Fixed Price, IDIQ contract will be awarded as a result of this synopsis/solicitation. It is anticipated that the period of performance for the IDIQ contract will be 03/01/2026 – 02/28/2031 will be awarded as a result of this synopsis/solicitation.

The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation. Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.

Evaluation and Basis for Award

The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services is not applicable to this solicitation. In lieu of this provision, quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203 based on the criteria listed below. Award will be made to the offeror with the highest technically rated quotation with fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable or neutral past performance.

A. Technical Approach: The technical approach will evaluate the ability of the offeror to provide a sound, compliant approach offeror's ability to provide a sound and compliant approach that meets all requirements and shows a thorough understanding of them. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure their quotation clearly demonstrates their capability to meet these requirements. All offerors must provide the following minimum information and documentation with their quotations to be considered responsive and have their offers evaluated:

Technical Approach Narrative: The Vendor must provide a narrative to demonstrate an understanding of this requirement and detail how the Vendor will accomplish all of the peanut standards verification services required.

o Factor 1 (Technical Approach Narrative) Quotation Submission Instructions: The Technical Approach Narrative submitted with the Vendor’s quotation must address the objectives and demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements of this Statement of Work. At a minimum, the Technical Approach Narrative must:

Demonstrate a firm understanding of the peanut industry.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of aflatoxin testing and U.S. Grade

Standards requirements under the Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States (“the Standards”), as established in 2002 and further modified in 2003, 2005, 2016, and 2018.

Demonstrate that the Vendor has knowledge of the work to be accomplished under the outgoing quality standards of “the Standards” and that the Vendor demonstrates the expertise to successfully perform the services and to provide the deliverables required.

B. Key Personnel: This Factor considers the Key Personnel proposed by the Vendor;

consideration will be given to the demonstrated experience and qualifications of the proposed Key Personnel on relevant projects of similar nature to the services required in this solicitation. Proposed Key Personnel will be evaluated as to qualifications and experience in all areas necessary to effectively perform the required work. It is expected that the proposed Key Personnel will be the individuals who perform work under this contract.

Any changes to the proposed Key Personnel after award MUST be approved by the USDA Technical Point of Contact and will only be approved upon demonstration of as good or better qualifications when the new individual is compared to the qualifications and experience of the original proposed individual. Key Personnel, and the requisite minimum qualifications and experience for the services required.

Factor 2 (Key Personnel) Quotation Submission Instructions: For this evaluation factor, the contractor must provide the names and qualifications of the Key Personnel identified within this Statement of Work and proposed for this requirement in the form of resumes. Resumes for each key team member must include educational qualifications, if applicable. The Vendor must clearly present the separate credentials of each proposed key team member and must provide a concise summary of each proposed key team member’s separate duties and responsibilities as proposed for this requirement for services. The contractor must describe up to three (3) project examples that are all relevant (similar size, scope, and complexity) to the services required by this solicitation demonstrating the experience of each person designated as key personnel.

Resumes for all proposed key team members must, at a minimum, demonstrate that the proposed key team member meets the experience outlined and information required for each position as outlined within the Statement of Work.

C. Experience: The Vendor must submit a minimum of two (2) but no more than five (5) separate projects within the last 5 years (from June 2024) that details experience that is similar to the scope and magnitude of this requirement.

o Experience - Quotation Submission Instructions: Vendors must complete “Attachment 3 - Vendor Experience & Past Performance Sheet” and submit a completed sheet for each project referenced.

D. Price: Any quantity price discounts and discounts for prompt payment should be included in this section. The offeror shall provide pricing as requested in the attached spreadsheet titled “Attachment 2 – Vendor Quotation Form”. Any quantity price discounts and discounts for prompt payment should be included in this section. Total price evaluation will be for the base period, all option periods and in accordance with FAR 52.217-8, up to a six-month extension period. Failure to propose pricing for the base period and all option periods on individual line items may result in a quotation being excluded from further consideration. The offeror’s quotation will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.204, to determine if it is fair and reasonable.

For purposes of evaluation, the potential need to exercise the option under FAR 52.217-8 to extend a period of performance for a maximum period of six (6) months beyond any period of performance will be considered the same for all offerors. The Government will consider that if the extension of service clause (FAR 52.217-8) is exercised, it will be on the exact same rates and terms, other than length of performance, as the period of performance being extended. For purposes of evaluation only, the Government will use the rates specified in the last option period and add the cost of six months to the prices proposed for the base period and all option periods to determine total evaluated price of the contract. The Government will determine whether the price, including the options available under FAR 52.217-8, is fair and reasonable.

E. Past Performance:

The Government may utilize any references provided by the Contractor, along with information available from past contracts/orders with the USDA and any information found using sources such as Federal Government sources or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to determine if the Contractor has acceptable or neutral Past Performance. Past Performance will be evaluated using the following rating system:

• Acceptable: The contractor shows a demonstrated ability to meet contract requirements in prior or current contracts, including quality of work, timeliness, cost control, business relations, and adherence to contract terms.

• Neutral: Offeror does not have a past performance record.

• Unacceptable: The contractor has a documented history of failing to meet contract requirements, including poor quality, missed deadlines, cost overruns, lack of responsiveness, or unethical behavior.

Evaluation Method:

All quotations will be evaluated to identify the offeror presenting the most technically advantageous solution based on the stated evaluation criteria. Once the highest technically rated offeror is identified, their price will be evaluated to determine whether it is fair and reasonable. Past performance will also be assessed to ensure it is acceptable or neutral.

Award will be made to the offeror whose proposal is determined to be the highest technically rated, provided that:

The proposed price is fair and reasonable, and Past performance is assessed as acceptable or neutral.

Award will not necessarily be made to the lowest-priced offeror. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

Delivery Information

F.o.b. destination, is requested as the F.O.B. point for all deliverables.

All offers will be considered F.O.B. Destination unless F.O.B. origin is specified AND estimated shipping costs are included.

Qualification Requirements Offerors, or the product or service, are not required to meet a qualification requirement to be eligible for award.

Other Information

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov

2025)

FAR 52.212-1 is amended as follows:

Miscellaneous Documents: This is not an evaluation factor. However, failure to submit completed, required documents may result in the Vendor being considered non-responsive and eliminated from further consideration.

● Miscellaneous Documents Quotation Submission Instructions: In addition to submitting responses to the established evaluation factors for award (Technical Approach, Key Personnel, Experience, Price and Past Performance) as required for the evaluated factors, the Vendor must submit the following other documents:

o Standard Form (SF) 30 (Vendor must acknowledge amendments to the solicitation, if any are issued, by completing Blocks 8., 15A., 15B., and 15C. on page 1 of the SF 30).

Questions Questions shall be submitted via email to Matthew.Phillips3@usda.gov no later than February 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time. This will ensure enough time to respond before the solicitation period ends. Please include the solicitation name and number as the subject line of the email.

52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation (Jan 2017)

52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (Nov 2025)

The following provisions are applicable if checked:

☒ 52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (Sep 2024) ☒ 52.204-7 System for Award Management—Registration (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) to 52.204-7 ☐ 52.204-90 Offeror Identification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.207-6 Solicitation of Offers from Small Business Concerns and Small Business Teaming Arrangements or Joint Ventures (Multiple-Award Contracts) (Aug 2024) ☐ 52.209-12 Certification Regarding Tax Matters (Oct 2025) ☐ 52.219-2 Equal Low Bids (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-18 Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products (Feb 2021) ☐ 52.222-48 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment–Certification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-52 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards for Certain Services-Certification (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.222-56 Certification Regarding Trafficking in Persons Compliance Plan (Oct 2020) ☐ 52.223-4 Recovered Material Certification (May 2008) ☐ 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate (Oct 2022) ☐ 52.225-4 Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certificate (Nov 2025) ☐ 52.225-6 Trade Agreements-Certificate (Feb 2021) ☐ 52.226-3 Disaster or Emergency Area Representation (Nov 2007) ☒ 52.229-11 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements—Notice and Representation (Jul 2025)

Other Applicable FAR Provisions

52.233-2 Service of Protest (Sep 2025)

AGAR Provisions 452.203-70 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certification (Dec 2025)

(a) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that:

(1) It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution.

(2) Neither it nor any proposed subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution.

(b) If the offeror participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, by submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that it is…