Attachment 1_Statement of Work_1232SA26Q1312.pdf

This is a Statement of Work (SOW) for seed increase services for tropical soybean germplasm accessions managed by the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection in Urbana, Illinois.

The contractor must increase seeds of diverse tropical soybean germplasm accessions (maturity groups IX and X) that flower and mature between longitudes 10 and 11, which do not naturally mature in the continental United States. Key covered components include: assisting with import permits and customs clearance; providing appropriate seed beds for planting and growth; administering agronomic practices during the growing season; harvesting and cleaning seeds; shipping seeds to Urbana, Illinois; and assisting with export and shipping logistics. The contractor must operate in a tropical environment (10-11 latitude) suitable for tropical soybean production, plant 900 plots with 75 plants per plot by December 15, 2026, and perform field maintenance tasks including weeding, irrigation, off-type plant removal, uniformity verification, flower and pubescence color recording, maturity date documentation, photo-documentation, and seed harvesting and cleaning. Technical requirements specify that planting occur no later than December 15 with growing season notes recorded in a provided fieldbook and issues communicated via email. Deliverables include planting 900 soybean plots by December 15, 2026; documenting flower color and characteristics throughout the growing season; harvesting and cleaning seeds when mature (typically April); and shipping cleaned seeds to Urbana, Illinois after harvest. The government will furnish seed of each accession to be increased and an Excel workbook detailing unique characteristics. No travel is required, and the contractor must employ staff trained in agronomic practices for soybean winter nurseries with experience in diverse, exotic germplasm.