THIS IS A Request for Information announcement only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is seeking Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses to install an advanced electric meter/smart meters on BARC Substation 13.2kV incoming feeders and BARC outbound feeders.

As part of its market research, USDA ARS is issuing this RFI notice to determine if there exist an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing the requirement. The Government may use the responses to this RFI for information and planning purposes. This RFI is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. No Request For Proposal (RFP) exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the RFP. Responses to this RFI are not quotes on which USDA ARS can issue any contract. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute an RFP. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. All information received in response to this RFI notice marked ""Proprietary"" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. USDA ARS will not pay for information received in response to this Request. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request. Please send responses with the subject heading: Service contract for USDA BARC-West Electric Meters to [email protected] by 05/07/2021.