Attachment 2- Statement of Work.docx

Statement of Work Project: Isolated Crossing and Corn Breeding Nursery

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: The USDA, ARS Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project of the Plant Introduction Research Unit (PIRU) has a requirement for six corn isolated crossing blocks for production of topcross (hybrid) seed and two hand-pollinated corn breeding nurseries for growing between April/May 2026 and November 2026.

2.0 Background: Subject to local weather, soil moisture conditions, minimal disease, and low insect pressure, a central corn belt location is required. Central Illinois and central Iowa have been determined to be locations best suited for the requirement for the hand pollinated nursery planting required for this research. All nurseries shall be grown within the period beginning April/May, 2026, to be harvested and returned in approximately November 2026.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks: Tasks and requirements that the contractor must provide are as listed below.

· Contractor will provide all field activities including

· Land located in central Corn-Belt, the states of Iowa, Illinois, eastern Nebraska, and northern Indiana.

· Land preparation (tillage)

· Fertilization

· Weed and pest control

· Harvest

· Isolated Crossing Requirements

· Minimum of 500 feet separation between isolated crossing area to adjacent corn fields

· Female rows planted in a 12-foot plot row that contains 20 to 24 kernels.

· Detassel female plot rows prior to pollen shed.

· Male-Female planting pattern and delays

· Male-female planting pattern of 4:4 – four male rows and four female rows. This is repeated to accommodate the number of female rows per isolated crossing block

· First male row planted 100-150 growing degree units (GDU) before female entries are planted

· Second and third male rows planted at same time as female entries

· Fourth male row planted 100-150 GDU after females are planted

· Monitor male rows for off-type plants and remove before pollen shed

· Isolation crossing field must be bordered on each side by 4 rows of male

· Hand-Pollinated Selfing Nursery

· Self-pollinated nursery planted in 12-ft plot rows with 18 kernels per row

· Nursery field to accommodate the number of plot rows listed below.

- 1394 plot rows

· Shoot bag top ear shoot of each plant

· Self-pollinate all possible plants

· Hand-Pollinated Paired Row Crossing Nursery and Delays

· Cross pollinated nursery planted in 12-ft plot rows with 18 kernels per row

· Nursery field to accommodate the number plot rows listed below

- 344 plot rows

· Delayed plot rows planted based on grow degree unit (GDU) delay requested. Number of delayed plot rows listed below.

- 301 delay plot rows

· Shoot bag top ear shoot of each plant

· Cross pollinated all possible plants between pairs

· Harvest Timing

· Plot rows are harvested individually by row ID

· Plot rows are harvested when latest entries reach ¾ milk line seed development or 45 days after final pollination

· Seed Drying

· Ears dried using forced air heat not to exceed 950 F

· Ears dried to 12-14% moisture

· Shipping Preparation

· Dried seed in harvest bags to be boxed and prepared for freight shipment

· Contractor will provide information on containers and weigh sufficient for USDA to procure shipping services.

· Seed generated on GEM-Ames plot rows will be shipped to:

USDA-ARS-NCRPIS

1305 State Ave.

Ames, IA 50014

· Seed generated on GEM-Raleigh plot rows will be shipped to:

USDA-ARS

13223 US Business 70 West Clayton, NC 27520-2128

4.0 Government Furnished: The USDA, ARS GEM Project will furnish the items listed below.

· Packeted seed in 2.5” wide packets. Each packet numbered and counted at 18 kernels per packet for hand-pollinated nursery plot rows.

· Shipping to:

· USDA-ARS-NCRPIS, 1305 State Ave., Ames, IA 50014 for GEM-Ames generated materials.

· USDA-ARS, 13223 US Business 70 West, Clayton, NC 27520-2128 for GEM-Raleigh generated materials.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule:

· Fields to be planted as close to April/May as conditions allow and no later than June 10, 2026.

· Written report of project status, crop development, and field condition for each isolation sent to adam.vanous@usda.gov every 2 weeks after planting.

· Harvested material are to be carefully boxed for commercial shipping back to Ames, Iowa, and Raleigh, North Carolina, with information communicated by email to adam.vanous@usda.gov by November 15.

6.0 Period of Performance: April/May 2026, through November 30, 2026

7.0 Technical Point of Contact:

Adam Vanous 515-231-3517 adam.vanous@usda.gov