Dry Bulk Fertilizer

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks 26 tons of dry bulk fertilizer (12-3-14 2 Mg formula) for delivery to its Horticultural Research Lab in Fort Pierce, Florida within 30 days of award, with quotations due July 31 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. This is a Total Small Business set-aside; only small business concerns are eligible.

Place of performance is Fort Pierce, Florida. The fertilizer must meet salient characteristics including total nitrogen at 12%, available phosphate at 2%, soluble potash at 14%, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and various micronutrients. A critical requirement specifies that 50% of the nitrogen and potassium must be 90-day slow-release material. Delivery must be in a 20-ton fertilizer trailer with 5-ton dumping hoppers. Delivery is FOB Destination unless the offeror specifies FOB Origin with documented shipping costs included.

The NAICS code is 325314, Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 550 employees. Award will be made on a firm fixed price basis to the single responsive offeror providing the lowest price for a technically acceptable product. Evaluation uses lowest price technically acceptable methodology, proceeding through offers in price order until identifying the lowest priced technically acceptable offer with acceptable or neutral past performance. Technical acceptability requires the fertilizer to meet all specified salient characteristics. Evaluation criteria also address price fairness and reasonableness, and past performance ratings (acceptable, neutral, or unacceptable). Invoicing must be submitted to the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform at https://www.ipp.gov. The contracting officer is Marian Dyson (301-504-1700).