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This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announce... This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12505B22Q0068 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-04. The associated NAICS code is 111150, Corn Farming, with a small business size standard of $1.0 Million and the PSC is F009. The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following services: 001) Six Corn Isolated Crossing Blocks Scope of Work: The USDA-ARS, Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project of the Plant Introduction Research Unit (PIRU) in Ames, IA is requesting quotes for six corn isolated crossing blocks for production of topcross (hybrid) seed for growing between May 2022 and November 2022. Background: Subject to local weather, soil moisture conditions, minimal disease, and low insect pressure, a central corn belt location is required. Central Illinois and central Iowa have been determined to be locations best suited for the requirement for the isolated block planting required for this research. All isolations shall be grown within a 6-month period beginning in May 2022 to be harvested and returned in approximately November 2022. Technical Requirements: Tasks and requirements that the contractor must provide are as listed below. Contractor will provide all field activities including: Land for six isolated crossing fields Land located in either central Illinois or central Iowa Land preparation (tillage) Fertilization Weed and pest control Field Isolation Requirements Minimum of 500 feet separation of each isolation from other corn. Isolated field to accommodate numbers of female entries as listed below. Isolation 1: 500 female plot rows Isolation 2: 500 female plot rows Isolation 3: 500 female plot rows Isolation 4: 1,488 female plot rows Isolation 5: 1,636 female plot rows Isolation 6: 300 female plot rows Male:Female Planting Pattern and Delays Male-female planting pattern of 4:4 First male row planted 100-150 growing degree units (GDU) before female entries are planted Second and third male rows planted at same time as female entries Fourth male row planted 100-150 GDU after females are planted Isolated crossing field must be bordered on each side by 4 rows of male. Planting Female plot rows planted in 12-foot plot rows Fields to be planted as close to May 1, 2022 as conditions allow and no later than June 10, 2022. Maintenance Male rows to be monitored for off-type plants and these plants removed every 10-14 days until pollination is completed. Tassel removal (detasseling) of female rows to start as soon as tassels are seen in these rows and before first plants silk. Progress Reports: Written report of project status, crop development, and field condition for each isolation sent to adam.vanous@usda.gov every 2 weeks after planting. Harvest Timing Female plot rows are harvested individually by row ID Female plot rows are harvested when latest entries reach ¾ mile line seed development Seed Drying Ears dried using forced air heat NOT to exceed 95 F Ears dried to approximately 12% moisture Shipping Preparation Dried seed in harvest bags to be boxed and prepared for freight shipment. Contractor will provide information on containers and weigh sufficient for USDA to procure shipping services. Harvested material are to be carefully boxed for commercial shipping back to Ames, Iowa and information communicated by email to adam.vanous@usda.gov by November 15, 2022. Seed will be shipped to: USDA-ARS-NCRPIS 1305 State Ave. Ames, IA 50014 Government Furnished: The USDA, ARS GEM Project will furnish the items listed below: Male seedstock for each of six isolated crossing fields. Packeted female seed in 2.5” wide packets. Each packet numbered and counted at 20k to 24k per packet. Mesh harvest bags. Row band harvest tags for each entry. Shipping to USDA-ARS-NCRPIS, 1305 State Ave., Ames, IA 50014 Key Deliverables Corn Isolated Crossing Blocks - 4,924 total female plot rows Isolation 1: 500 female plot rows Isolation 2: 500 female plot rows Isolation 3: 500 female plot rows Isolation 4: 1,488 female plot rows Isolation 5: 1,636 female plot rows Isolation 6: 300 female plot rows Field Lane(s) Field Preparation Field Planting Field Maintenance Field Harvest Seed Drying Shipping Preparation Evaluation Factors: Lowest price, technically acceptable. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price award based on the lowest price technically acceptable service. The lowest priced service will be evaluated first; if not found acceptable, the next lowest priced service will be evaluated, and so on until an acceptable service is identified. The government will not review higher priced services if the lowest priced service is determined to be technically acceptable. For a vendor’s services to be considered technically acceptable, they must meet all of the technical requirements identified in the solicitation. Submitting a Quote: To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their UEI# on their quote. The submission and payment of invoices on the resulting contract will be made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). As such, vendors must be currently registered or register in IPP in order to be able to submit and receive payment on invoices for the resulting contract. Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF1449 (see attached), provide a written Quality Assurance Plan in response to the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan provided in the attachments to the SF1449 (between the Statement of Work and Wage Rate Determination), and provide completed FAR clauses and provisions. The quote should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. This will be a tax-exempt purchase. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please email all quotes in writing on the SF 1449 with a written QAP and completed FAR clauses and provisions to aaron.dimeo@usda.gov by NO later than Monday, April 18, 2022 at 5:00 PM Central Time (CT). Note: Be absolutely certain to reference the RFQ number “12505B22Q0065” and/or title of the solicitation “Six Corn Isolated Crossing Blocks” in the subject, body, and/or attachments on your submission email to ensure your submission can be located and attributed to this solicitation. Failure to do so could potentially result in your submission NOT being put into consideration for award (as your quote may NOT be located when searching the recipients email to ensure all responses to the solicitation have been logged before making an award determination). Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email (NO calls with questions) and are due no later than 5:00 PM CT on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.