RFQ for Pecan Cleaning.pdf

Request for Quote (RFQ)

Cleaning of Harvested Pecan Nuts

For

USDA, ARS

Fruit & Tree Nut Research Lab 21 Dunbar Rd.

Byron, GA 31008

1. Introduction:

The USDA Agricultural Research Service in Byron, GA. is seeking quotations for the cleaning of harvested pecan nuts. USDA-ARS pecan research orchards require that each year’s nut crop be removed from location trees and orchard floors. This process is largely mechanized and requires commercial processing of nuts in order to truly assess ‘commercial’ yields and marketability. Part of this process is commercial ‘cleaning’ of harvested nuts to remove sticks, rocks, leaves, aborted fruit, light nuts, pops, stick-tights, etc.; thus, necessitating use of a commercial cleaning facility.

2. Statement of Work:

The USDA, ARS shall –

Harvest all Pecan Orchard nuts on location (approximately 1200 acres, of which 350 acres are in producing pecan trees). Using mechanized machinery, nuts will be picked up, cleaned of large sticks and loaded onto wagons for transportation by USDA personnel. USDA will coordinate and transport all loaded wagons to awarded contractor’s cleaning location.

Harvesting period is expected to be November 2020 through February 2021.

Estimated harvest is expected to produce as many as 30 up to 50 wagon loads (5,000 lbs. ea.)

Up to as many as 8 wagons a day, Monday through Friday could be anticipated to be delivered.

The Contractor shall –

The following is an outline of tasks to be performed by the contractor. This in not all inclusive and other work may be required to complete the project. The work shall be performed in a prompt timely fashion once deliveries have started.

Clean delivered nuts of sticks, rocks, leaves, aborted fruit, light nuts, pops, stick-tights, etc.

To accomplish this, nuts may need to be pre-cleaned and dried before bagging for commercial sales.

Offer samples of cleaned nuts to interested parties for sale by the USDA.

Load bags of nuts sold, for transport by successful bidders.

3. RFQ submittals:

Contractor shall provide pricing on the following –

Pre-cleaning Cost Bag Cost

Regular Cleaning Cost Pallet Cost

Drying Cost Burlap Re-Bagging Cost

Moisture Samples Any Other Special Consideration Cost

Percentage of sales to be retained