C04_Attachment II - SOW_rev3_1232SA26Q1079.pdf

Scope of Work ARS Sugar Beet and Bean Research Unit (SBRU)

Dry Bean Winter Nursery

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Purpose:

Procure a winter nursery in Puerto Rico to support the ARS Sugarbeet and Bean Research Unit (SBRU), East Lansing, MI dry bean breeding program. The winter nursery is used to advance breeding materials by a generation over the winter, which greatly speeds up breeding progress. Bean seeds from an estimated 500 to 800 entries will be shipped from East Lansing to Puerto Rico in September 2026 for planting in the winter nursery. Seed must be planted by December 2026. Seeds from each entry should be planted in 10 ft rows.

Bean plants must be well-maintained during the growing season with sufficient water, fertilizer, and weed management to produce a healthy crop. Seed should be bulk harvested via row and shipped back to East Lansing, MI by April 2027.

2. Background:

SBRU conducts plant breeding to develop improved dry bean germplasm and varieties. Use of a winter nursery as part of the breeding program allows an additional generation per year, thereby speeding the breeding process and allowing improved germplasm to be released more quickly.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3. Period of Performance:

The service shall cover a period of one (1) year from the date of award, and four (4) one-year option periods. The total duration shall not exceed five (5) years.

4. Contractor Requirements / Technical Requirements:

The service provided must meet all requirements listed in the table below.

Task Description

Receive and plant bean seeds: Contractor shall receive bean seeds and prepare seeds for planting by mapping the field location and organization plan, treating the seed with a fungicide and insecticide, counting seeds for planting into envelopes, preparing and labeling the seeds in order to maintain identity. Contractor shall plant 500 to 800 individual bean samples in 10 ft plots at a field site in Puerto Rico, maintaining sample identity and integrity. Beans should be planted no later than December 2026.

Maintain field plot: Contractor shall use best agronomic practices of tillage, irrigation, fertilization, and weed and pest control to ensure a healthy crop.

Harvest beans: Contractor shall harvest beans by March 2027, maintain seed health and sample cleanliness, identity and integrity.

Scope of Work ARS Sugar Beet and Bean Research Unit (SBRU)

Dry Bean Winter Nursery

Send harvested beans to SBRU: Contractor shall send harvested bean seeds to SBRU in packaging that maintains seed health and sample cleanliness, identity and integrity. Seed must be received in East Lansing, MI April 2027.

5. Technical Requirements: Dry bean winter nursery. Following these specifications:

• Plant single 10 ft rows of 500 to 800 bean seed samples by December 2026

• Avoid cross contamination of bean samples from different plots

• Maintain identity and integrity of individual seed samples throughout the entire process

• Maintain healthy bean crop

• Harvest seed from plots by March 2027

• Send harvested seed to SBRU by April 2027

6. Government Furnished Items: The Government will furnish the bean seed for planting.

7. Deliverables and Schedule: The Contractor shall execute the winter nursery services within the timeframes specified below:

Deliverable/Service Due Date/Frequency

Receive shipment and prepare seed for planting October & November 2026

Plant beans December 2026

Harvest beans March 2027

Ship harvested beans to SBRU, East Lansing, MI Address:

USDA, Sugarbeet and Bean Research Karen Cichy 1066 Bogue St. (rm 366) East Lansing, MI 48824

April 2027

8. Travel Requirements: None

9. Key Personnel: Field Technician

10. Security Requirements: Don’t let other groups harvest or take any of the seed growing in these plots or keep any remaining seed for your own use.

11. Data Rights: N/A