PWS.docx

Agricultural Research Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Southeast Area Office Subtropical Horticultural Research Station Miami, FL

Soil Medium Delivery with Excavator Rental

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 One of the core values of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is “innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources…” Diminishing resources, climate change, and invasive species challenge our ability to grow plants even as the demand for high-quality horticultural products rises.

1.2 Sustainable horticultural practices are necessary in order to conserve natural resources, enhance our environment, provide economic opportunities, and meet our nutritional needs. Increasingly, research on this topic is occurring in urban and peri-urban settings and to promote health and improve the quality of life for local communities.

1.3 Sustainable horticulture involves increasing plant diversity as opposed to the present technologies that revolve the monoculture model. The Subtropical Horticultural Research Station (SHRS) in Miami, Florida is setting up a sustainable horticulture demonstration plot to illustrate to farmers, stakeholders, and the general public the methodologies that can be used as a sustainable model, documenting the cost and resource inputs and financial outputs of such a system.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 The scope of this project includes delivery of 1,050 cubic yards of material; 50% coarse sand and 50% compost with rental of a 45,000-55,000 lb track excavator. The delivery and rental require an alternated schedule in three-week intervals listed in section 4.1.1

2.2 The excavator rental does not include an operator; experienced SHRS personnel will operate the excavator.

3.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS/SPECIFIC TASKS

3.1 Provide a fully operational 45,000-55,000 lb track excavator for SHRS personnel use

STANDARD. The Contractor must provide the requirement timely with no more than two (2) missed deadlines.

3.2 Provide 1,050 cubic yards of specified material.

STANDARD. The Contractor must provide the requirement timely with no more than two (2) missed deadlines.

4.0 PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

4.1 The term of the purchase order is anticipated to be five (5) months. Any requests for time extensions must be submitted to the Contracting Specialist in writing. Each request must include specific and detailed reasons in support of the schedule alteration. No extensions are allowed unless authorized, in writing, by the CO.

4.1.1 The proposed schedule provides a staggered approach in order to ensure availability of material, equipment, and personnel.

July 15-19, 2024 - Delivery of 300 cubic yards of material.

July 29-August 2, 2024 - Excavator Rental. ARS personnel will operate.

August 12-16, 2024 - Delivery of 300 cubic yards of material.

August 26-30, 2024 - Excavator Rental. ARS personnel will operate.

September 9-13, 2024 - Delivery of 300 cubic yards of material.

September 23-27, 2024 - Excavator Rental. ARS personnel will operate.

No later than October 18, 2024 - Delivery of 150 cubic yards of material.

4.1.2 Performance on this purchase order may be impacted by hurricane activity due to soil disruption or lack of personnel. If the Government or the Contractor anticipate delayed performance due to inclement weather, the Contracting Officer (via the Contract Specialist) shall be notified within 48 hours knowledge of issue.

4.2 HOURS OF OPERATION: Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00p.m., Monday through Friday; excluding federal holidays. Should it be necessary to schedule working hours other than normal working hours, the Contractor must arrange for access to the work area with the COR at the site at least three (3) days prior to the need.

4.3 The work is located at the SHRS, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Building 89, Miami, Florida.

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, AND INFORMATION

5.1 No Government property or equipment will be provided to the Contractor.

6.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 The Contractor must provide and pay for all labor, materials, equipment, maintenance of the equipment, tools, travel, supervision, and all other items to successfully complete the work required. The Contractor is responsible for all licenses and certifications required to successfully perform the services required.

6.2 Utilization of Bio-Based Products: The Contractor must utilize products and material based from bio-based materials to the maximum extent possible without jeopardizing the intended end use or detracting from the overall quality delivered to the customer. All supplies and materials must be of a type and quality that conform to the applicable Federal Specifications and Standards. All supplies and materials to be used in the performance of work described herein are subject to the approval of the COR. Products can be found at: https://www.biopreferred.gov.

6.2.1 As required by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (7 U.S.C. 8102(c) (3)), the Offeror certifies that bio-based products (within categories of products listed by the United States Department of Agriculture in 7 CFR part 3201, subpart B) to be used or delivered in the performance of the contract, other than bio-based products that are not purchased by the Offeror as a direct result of this contract, will comply with the applicable specifications or other contractual requirements.

7.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY TABLE (PRST)

The following table summarizes the tasks, the performance standard, monitoring method, and incentives/disincentive for not meeting performance standards.

2) Missed tasks completed at Contractor’s expense.

3) Payment deductions as specified in Section 9.

8.0 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

8.1 The COR will be identified by a separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the purchase order and assists in contract administration. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which will be provided to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially regarding changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting purchase order.

9.0 GOVERNMENT REMEDIES

9.1 All work will be subject to inspection, approval, and acceptance by the Government. The Government will compare the Contractor's performance to industry standards and will not exclude common sense considerations as applied by the COR. The Contracting Officer (CO) will follow the requirements of FAR Clause 52.212-4 for the Contractor’s failure to correct nonconforming services. The Government will consider work incomplete when any one of the following conditions exits: • The Contractor did not perform any or all of the tasks successfully and timely.

9.2 If the performance of any required service is unsatisfactory, and poor performance is clearly the fault of the Contractor, the Government may reduce the purchase order price to reflect the reduced value of defective services if the Government gives the Contractor a written Purchase Order Discrepancy Report prior to executing such payment deductions.

9.3 The CO will determine the payment deduction amount by calculating the percentage of acceptable services performed by the Contractor. The Government will use the total number of deficiencies found to determine the percentage found unacceptable. The percentage found unacceptable subtracted from 100 percent will determine the percentage acceptable.

10.0 POINTS OF CONTACT

USDA, Agricultural Research Service USDA, Agricultural Research Service mike.winterstein@usda.gov amanda.somerville@usda.gov

Location Contact Karla Agurto USDA, Agricultural Research Service karla.agurto@usda.gov image1.jpeg