The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Amherst, Massachusetts is seeking assistance from private sector individuals, firms and entities to assist clients to develop Nutrient Management Plans (NMP) and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) in various counties in Massachusetts. These plans are for private individuals and are being developed as one component of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, commonly referred to as the 2002 Farm Bill. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision and other items and support necessary to provide the services as solicited. The Contract period will be one year from the date of award. One or more contracts may be awarded: contracts will comprise from 5 to 15 NMPs and/or 5 to 15 CNMPs. Performance time will vary with the complexity of the individual farming operations. NMPs and CNMPs shall be developed in accordance with all applicable NRCS policy, National Planning Procedures Handbook, and appropriate Conservation Practice Standards and guides which can be found at the following websites: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov and http://efotg.nrcs.usda.gov. NMP development will require knowledge of agronomy, soil conservation and nutrient management practices. CNMP development will require knowledge of nutrient management, land treatment, waste storage and handling, and potentially feed management and other utilization options for excess waste. The respondents must demonstrate the ability to become certified Technical Service Providers (TSP) in the category of Nutrient Management ¡V Organic and Inorganic for NMPs, and/or in one or more of the following categories for CNMPs: „X CNMP Plan Approval „X CNMP Plan Development ¡V Total Plan „X CNMP Plan Development ¡V Nutrient Management „X CNMP Plan Development ¡V Land Treatment „X CNMP Plan Development ¡V Feed Management „X CNMP Plan Development ¡V Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage Information about TSP certification is available at http://techreg.usda.gov/. Questions relating to this process may be directed in writing to
[email protected] or fax no. (413) 253-4375. Proposals from contractors will be evaluated on technical capability, personnel qualifications, past performance, and price. This is a pre-solicitation notice. An RFP will be posted with more detail and specifications on or around March 29, 2004.