JH27-104 Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) 5-Year Sampling Contract

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, conducting procurement through the Plant Industry Division, is requesting bids for a five-year Potato Cyst Nematode soil sampling contract covering 100% of certified seed potato production in Cache County, with bids due September 30, 2026. Award will be made to the lowest cost responsive and responsible vendor based on lowest overall cost across all five years combined; the vendor must guarantee pricing for the entire contract period.

The contractor will collect approximately 700 soil samples annually—one composite sample per acre comprising at least 160 points per acre yielding 5 pounds of soil. Sampling occurs in fall after harvest and prior to winter weather, with all work completed by December 1 and all data delivered by December 31 of each contract year. The contractor must provide all sampling and safety equipment; UDAF supplies sample bags and labels. Samples are sent to the USDA PCN Lab in Idaho Falls for analysis. Contractor deliverables include presence/absence data, early detection documentation, export certification support, and annual surveys for all five years.

Three mandatory minimum requirements apply: compliance with the proposed timeframe, adherence to USDA National PCN survey guidelines and protocols, and possession of GPS/GIS tracking capabilities. The contractor must follow USDA procedures for sample collection and processing, sanitize equipment as needed, and maintain documentation to support export certification.

The estimated contract value is $160,000 over five years ($32,000 annually), funded through a USDA agreement. Vendor questions must be submitted through the U3P platform during the specified Q&A period. Vendors must certify compliance with Utah Code Annotated 63G-27 anti-boycott provisions and confirm they are not providing forced labor products or using restricted foreign entities. No mandatory site visit is required. Award notification does not constitute a contract; only a fully executed purchase order creates a binding agreement.