Corn Silage Chopping and Storage Services

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.  Solicitation number 12505B23Q0205 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ).  The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2023-04 effective June 2, 2023.  This solicitation is set aside for Total Small Business.  The associated NAICS code is 115112 (Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating), with a small business size standard of $9.5 million.

The USDA-Dairy Forage Research Farm at Prairie du Sac, WI (PDS) requires corn silage chopping and storage services on between 160 acres and 400 acres (with around 200 acres being the normal). The successful Contractor shall be responsible for furnishing personnel, materials, equipment and facilities necessary to accomplish all things necessary for, or incidental to, the performance of the work set forth herein. 

This is anticipated to be a Base + 4 Ordering Year IDIQ Contract for Services. 

This acquisition is for the following item as identified in the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN):

0001)  Corn Silage Chopping and storage services and Cover Crop Harvesting  - Ordering Year 1

1001)  Corn Silage Chopping and storage services and Cover Crop Harvesting  - Ordering Year 2

2001)  Corn Silage Chopping and storage services and Cover Crop Harvesting  - Ordering Year 3

3001)  Corn Silage Chopping and storage services and Cover Crop Harvesting  - Ordering Year 4

4001)  Corn Silage Chopping and storage services and Cover Crop Harvesting  - Ordering Year 5

Specifications:  See attached Performance Work Statement.

The Contractor shall provide all items F.O.B. destination.  Location of the Government site is aboard USDA-Dairy Forage Research Farm at Prairie du Sac, WI and will be identified in the contract.  The Government anticipates award of a IDIQ contract.

Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their proposal in accordance with FAR 52.212-1.  Submission of quotes shall include the following:  (1) Technical and (2) Price.

All responses shall be submitted electronically to melissa.grice@usda.gov.

The basis for award is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).  LPTA means the best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price.  Pursuant to FAR 52.212-2, the criteria for evaluation are:  (1) Technical and (2) Price and must also have satisfactory Past Performance.  Technical acceptability will be evaluated based on company experience (minimum of 5 years’ experience providing the types of services listed in the Statement of Work).  The lowest priced proposal will first be evaluated for technical acceptability in accordance with the minimum specifications identified.  If determined not technically acceptable, it will be removed from competition and the next lowest priced proposal will be evaluated for technical acceptability.  This will continue until the lowest price proposal is determined technically acceptable.  Once the lowest priced proposal is determined technically acceptable, then a determination of responsibility will be completed.  If found responsible, evaluations will be closed and award will be made.

INSPECTON AND ACCEPTANCE TERMS:  Services will be inspected by Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and accepted at destination.  Period of performance is one year with four, one year option periods.

The attached Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) provisions and clauses are applicable to this acquisition.  Contractors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items, with their offer.

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time the quote is submitted.  A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or www.sam.gov.  NO EXCEPTIONS. A SAM UEI number is required in order to register.  All invoices shall be submitted electronically.

Quotes must be received no later than 1:00 PM Central Time on July 25, 2023.

Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation are due no later than 12:00 PM CDT on July 13, 2023.  Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.