SARC No-Till Plot Seed Drill

Montana State University's Southern Agricultural Research Center (SARC) in Huntley, MT is conducting a competitive bid (IFB Number MSU-IFB-B0004672) to procure a new no-till plot seed drill specifically designed for small grains and interseeding cover crops in corn research applications. The solicitation was released on March 28, 2022, with a bid opening deadline of April 8, 2022, at 2:00 PM MDT. The research center requires one current model plot seed drill to be delivered by June 1, 2022, with mandatory specifications including FOB destination to the SARC facility, a minimum 12-month standard warranty, complete set-up with hands-on instruction, and one comprehensive set of user manuals and parts books. Potential vendors must submit a current W-9 form, company invoice details, and documentation demonstrating that their proposed seed drill meets all specified requirements. The university reserves the right to request and verify references, with negative references potentially resulting in proposal disqualification. Bidders must disclose all associated costs, understanding that any undisclosed expenses will be considered non-applicable.

The procurement appears to be open to all qualified agricultural equipment vendors without specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Payment terms are structured as 0% 0, Net 30, with the commodity classified under code 5111 for "Vehicles - Implement, Agriculture, & Accessories". While the specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the solicitation suggests this is a competitive procurement where pricing and technical capabilities will be key evaluation criteria. The contract is specifically for Golden Valley County and will support agricultural research activities at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center. Vendors responding to this opportunity should be prepared to provide comprehensive documentation of their seed drill's capabilities, warranty information, and total cost of ownership. The relatively short timeline for delivery (by June 1, 2022) indicates the research center has an immediate operational need for this specialized agricultural equipment.