This is a Sources Sought notice for market research, not a solicitation, seeking qualified small businesses capable of operating a winter nursery in Puerto Rico for the USDA ARS dry bean breeding program based in East Lansing, MI. Seed from an estimated 500 to 800 entries will be shipped to Puerto Rico in September 2026 and must be planted by December 2026. The nursery must maintain the crop with water, fertilizer, and weed management, with seed bulk harvested by row and shipped back to East Lansing by April 2027. Interested vendors should submit a capability statement detailing their small business size status, relevant past performance, and ability to provide these services. Responses are voluntary, and no pricing information should be submitted.

A Sources Sought notice is issued for market research only—not a solicitation—and no award will be made based on responses. The Government seeks capability information from qualified small businesses to determine whether a set-aside is possible for operating a winter nursery in Puerto Rico. This nursery will support the USDA ARS dry bean breeding program by advancing roughly 500 to 800 seed entries shipped from East Lansing, MI, and must be planted by December 2026. The service includes maintaining 10-foot rows with adequate water, fertilizer, and weed control, then bulk harvesting and shipping the seed back to East Lansing by April 2027. Interested vendors must submit a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience and business size status; no pricing information should be included.