Planting seed corn on USDA fields

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (ARS) through its National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa is seeking a contractor to plant seed corn on government-owned fields. The planted corn will be harvested as corn silage for use in the NADC dairy herd feeding and animal research programs. Key contract requirements include the contractor supplying all necessary equipment (tractors and planter), supplies, fuel, and labor to complete the planting operation according to precise specifications: 30-inch row width, 35,000 seeds per acre planting population, 2-inch planting depth with consistent seed-to-soil contact, and regular depth checks between field changes. Contractors must demonstrate documented evidence of previous direct experience providing equivalent planting services, and any subcontractors must similarly provide evidence of capability and appropriate equipment. The evaluation criteria are technical acceptability, delivery capability, and price. The pre-solicitation notice was posted on March 4, 2026, with a due date of March 18, 2026, allowing prospective bidders two weeks to prepare their responses.

The contract carries no set-aside designation, meaning it is open to all eligible contractors. Performance is scheduled between April 15, 2026 and May 15, 2026, with the requirement that planting must commence within four business days of a written request from the USDA procurement officer or NADC Farm Manager. The work will take place at 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010. All contractor personnel must comply with facility security requirements, including presenting government-issued photo identification at the visitor gate and wearing an issued visitor's badge while on premises. The government will furnish the seed corn, eliminating that as a contractor cost. No specific contract value or budget range is disclosed in the pre-solicitation notice. Technical inquiries should be directed to Stephen Sterle at Stephen.sterle@usda.gov, 515-337-7248, or 515-239-7196.