Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Sources Sought A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Bus... Sources Sought A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition. Requirements: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service – 2000 E Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ has issued this sources sought announcement in order to determine if there are existing businesses sources capable of providing full size bee colonies, sold and delivered directly to the ARS location listed. The complete requirement is for full sized Italian honey bee colonies; each colony is a single 10 frame deep Langstroth hive with bees, brood, an Italian queen, honey, and pollen. The colonies must come with a wooden Langstroth hive body, a migratory lid, and a temporary screened bottom board. All frames must be drawn with honeycomb. Full sized colonies will come directly from almond pollination and be delivered by truck overnight to the Tucson Carl Hayden Bee Research Center. Delivery is dependent upon release of bees out of almond contracts, and will occur no later than March 26-29. The location will require 125 full colonies. Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business. Responses should be submitted by 01/28/2021 BY 3:00pm EST to the attention of Mr. Paige Francis at paige.francis@usda.gov, referencing notice ID 12905B20210121001PF in the subject line.