NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS: Pest Control Service Advisor/Manager for the USDA, ARS, WRRC and PGEC in Albany, CA

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area has issued a Special Notice of Intent to Award on a Sole Source Basis for a Pest Control Service Advisor/Manager position. The notice specifically pertains to services needed at the Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) and Plant Gene Expression Center (PGEC) located in Albany, California. The contract will be awarded to Jacqueline Maria Poasa for pesticide advisory and supplemental spray management services. The procurement will be processed under FAR Part 12 and Part 13, utilizing simplified acquisition procedures for commercial items. The notice emphasizes that this communication is informational and does not constitute a formal commitment by the government.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to provide potential contractors an opportunity to submit documentation demonstrating their capability to provide the required services. Contractors have seven calendar days from the notice date to submit written substantiating documentation, with oral communications expressly prohibited. Eligible contractors must possess a current Qualified Applicator License/Certificate in category J from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, with a minimum of two years greenhouse experience preferred. The contract's period of performance is set for January 23, 2025 - January 22, 2026, with four potential optional years of service, totaling a potential five-year engagement. The services will involve examining research plants for pests, selecting appropriate pesticides, coordinating with scientific staff, maintaining regulatory compliance, and performing supplemental spraying across 23 greenhouse rooms. The base contract and each option year will require 240 hours of advisory services and 24 hours of supplemental spraying, with billing conducted on an hourly basis through monthly invoices.