The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) intends to issue a Request for Quotes (RFQ) for a firm fixed-price construction contract to: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU), located at 630 W. North Street, Geneva, NY 14456, repair and repurpose an Insectary to Screenhouse located on the Cornell University, Geneva campus.

The anticipated requirement is issued under RFP 12305B21Q0014.   

The solicitation document, with the incorporated clauses and provisions, is issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 13, 15 and 36 and will be incorporated in the awarded firm-fixed price order.  Interested vendors should reference the solicitation documents for all terms and conditions.  No paper solicitation will be available.

The associated NAICS Code is 236220, General Construction.  The small business size standard is $36.5 million.

Notice of Set-Aside for Small Business Concerns:  This requirement is a Total Small Business Set Aside.
 

The Government intends to award one (1) firm fixed-price contract. 

SELECTION PROCESS: The Quotes will be evaluated using a Trade-offs source selection process. Contractors will be invited to submit their technical, past performance, and price information as described in the Solicitation, for review and consideration by the Government. The selection process will evaluate such factors (not necessarily in order): Past Performance, Technical which includes Management & Experience, and Price. Pro Forma information such as bonding and financial capability will also be required to meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation.

Magnitude of Construction is between $25,000 and $100,000.

Period of performance is 90 days after receipt of the Notice to Proceed.

Bonds:  If the contract exceeds $35,000, the offeror to whom award is made shall furnish a payment security, which can be a payment bond or an alternative form per FAR 52.228-13, Alternative Payment Protections.  Awards exceeding $150,000 require both Payment and Performance Bonds.  See solicitation details regarding a Bid Bond.
 

BID GUARANTEE: A bid guarantee is required in an amount not less than 20 percent of the proposed price but shall not exceed $3,000,000 (for proposals of $35,000 or more). Failure to furnish the required bid guarantee in the proper form and amount, by the time set for opening of proposals, shall require rejection of the proposal in all cases except those listed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 28.101-4.

SITE VISIT: A site visit can be arranged during the solicitation period for the project. Details regarding the site visit will be available from.

Facilities Operations Manager

Mike Merchant

USDA-ARS

538 Tower Rd

Ithaca, New York 14850

607.342.3380

[email protected] or [email protected]

All questions regarding this announcement must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer, Mark O. Volk, via email to [email protected].  Telephone requests for information will not be accepted or returned.

Biobased Products:  This procurement requires the use of Biobased products to the extent that such products are reasonably available, meet agency or relevant industry performance standards, and are reasonably priced.  The products should first be acquired from the USDA designated product categories.  All supplies and materials shall be of a type and quantity that conform to applicable Federal specifications and standards, and to the extent feasible and reasonable, include the exclusive use of biobased and recycled products.  Please visit www.biopreferred.gov for more information on the USDA Biobased Program and to reference the catalog of mandatory biobased products.

DISCUSSIONS: The Government intends to award without discussions, but reserves the right to conduct discussions should it be deemed in the Government's best interest.

The Government intends to post all notices/amendments related to this solicitation on government point of entry (GPE) Contract Opportunities at https://beta.sam.gov/. 

All interested firms must be registered on Contract Opportunities web site in order to obtain the solicitation documents and all information regarding the solicitation.   Hard copies of the solicitation will not be provided. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to check the website daily for any updates/amendments.  Contractors are encouraged to check the FBO web site frequently in order to be notified of any changes to this solicitation.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All contractors submitting bids, proposals, or quotes on USDA solicitations must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. Failure to register in the SAM database will make a Contractor ineligible for award.  The SAM website can be accessed at www.Beta.sam.gov.