Mississippi Department Of Agriculture & Commerce

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce Bureau of Plant Industry (MDAC/BPI) is a state government entity that operates as a division within the Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce. Registered in SAM.gov since October 1, 2003, the Bureau of Plant Industry serves as a critical component of Mississippi's agricultural regulatory and protection infrastructure. The entity functions as a child organization within the broader state department, focusing on plant health, pest detection, and agricultural commodity regulation to safeguard Mississippi's agricultural resources and support the state's farming community.

The MDAC/BPI has received one federal contract award on record, a small purchase order issued on May 14, 2021, for seed analysis services valued at $250. This contract, issued by the Southeast Area (a federal agency component), involved testing 50 seed samples at $5.00 per test and was completed by July 13, 2021. The minimal contract activity reflects that the Bureau of Plant Industry primarily operates through grant-funded cooperative agreements rather than traditional procurement contracts, as the entity has not established itself as a significant federal contract prime awardee or vehicle for federal contract distribution.

The MDAC/BPI has been substantially more active in securing federal grant awards, demonstrating extensive partnerships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Food and Nutrition Service, and the Agricultural Marketing Service. The grants primarily support plant pest surveillance, detection, and mitigation activities, including cooperative agreements focused on exotic pest monitoring in Mississippi's forest, agricultural, and horticultural sectors. Notable recurring grant programs include surveys for exotic bark beetles, pine pests, oak pests, and small grain crop pests; cogongrass education and eradication efforts; imported fire ant monitoring and compliance inspections; and honeybee health assessments through the National Honeybee Pests and Diseases Survey. Additionally, the Bureau of Plant Industry administers multiple tranches of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and related commodity assistance programs funded by the Food and Nutrition Service, which distribute fresh agricultural products to low-income seniors through farmers markets and community-supported agriculture initiatives. Cooperative agreement subrecipients have included Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Entomological Museum, which provide taxonomic support, research expertise, and specialized survey services. The grant awards span from modest cooperative agreements of a few thousand dollars to more substantial project grants exceeding $100,000, with award cycles typically aligned to fiscal or calendar years, enabling sustained pest surveillance and agricultural nutrition initiatives across Mississippi.