Cotton Sample Haulers for Florence, SC

The USDA is seeking 8(a) firms who can pick-up cotton sample sacks from gins and deliver the samples to the USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Program, 1725 Otis Way, Florence, SC  29501.  The route, Florence Northern Route 2,  will be run each day when there are at least 50 sacks to pick up on the route. Pick up sample sacks of cotton (estimated 50 pounds each) from 22 gins every day (approximately 600 miles), 7 days a week including holidays. Driver is responsible for loading full sample sacks from the gins onto the truck and securely stacking, and unloading all sacks at the Florence Classing Office each day. Drivers will also return empty bundles of sacks back to the gins as needed. Drivers name and cell phone number must be provided to the Area Director in order to contact the driver about special situations that could arise during the workday. Sack counts from each gin are verified at the classing office daily. Invoices will be entered into the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) system twice a month (15th and last day of month).  Contractor and/or subcontractors shall be a commercially licensed and fully insured carrier. Copy of insurance provided to the classing office for each vehicle used and Area Director shall inspect all equipment to ensure it is reliable and of sufficient capacity to hold all sample sacks.  Contractor must follow all DOT rules and regulations.  Prior year cost for this route was $6.52 per sack.  Total number of estimated sacks this year is 8600.  If you are an 8(a) firm and believe you can provide this work, please submit a capability statement describing your experience in hauling services, equipment, and references for similar work.  Attached are the specifications for this route, map of the gins, estimated sacks per gin and pictures to show what the sacks look like.  If you have questions, they must be submitted in writing to BeverlyS.Brown@ams.usda.gov.  All responses to this notice must be received by Monday, September 25 at 10:00 am eastern.