Agricultural Expert/Consultant

The Department of Energy Office of Science is seeking an agricultural expert or consultant to support the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) Systems Integration verification team in reviewing DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) funded projects. The primary objective is to provide independent agricultural expertise related to technical scope, research methodology, and research direction of DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) projects. Potential contractors must demonstrate expertise in agricultural practices, including energy crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus, sorghum, willow, and various oilseed systems. Evaluation criteria will focus on the contractor's capability to participate in technical advisory meetings, review agricultural R&D plans, and support report writing. The Sources Sought Notice (SS-2025023552) was posted on December 20, 2024, with responses due by January 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

The procurement is currently not set aside for any specific business category, with the NAICS code 541690 for other scientific and technical consulting services. The contract includes a 12-month base period with four potential one-year option periods, allowing for a maximum contract duration of five years. Contractors will be expected to conduct limited travel, with a maximum of four trips anticipated during the first two years of the contract. Submission requirements include a three-page response detailing company information, point of contact details, and capability statements demonstrating expertise in agricultural practices, carbon intensity characterization, soil health evaluation, and technoeconomic analysis. A valid System for Award Management (SAM) registration will be required at the time of award, and the responses will help determine if a small business set-aside is appropriate for future solicitation.