H--GRAIN SORGHUM INSPECTION FOR FARM GATE SURVEY

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO RELEASE THE SOLICITATION AND TO EXTEND THE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS TO JUNE 19, 2006. The USDA, Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), intends to procure assistance in conducting a survey to determine a baseline quality of grain sorghum for the 2006 crop year. For this effort, FGIS has developed a sample collection plan based on a statistical design to collect samples from eleven states identified as producing 98% of all U.S. sorghum. The sample collection will represent a cross-section of sorghum grown in the U.S. at the beginning of the value chain, also known as the first point of sale of “Farm Gate”. FGIS will arrange for the samples to be sent to the contractor for grading. The tasks included in this procurement includes: A. making and recording factor determinations according to the regulations (United States Standards for Sorghum); B. characterizing, quantifying, and recording an itemized break-down of the foreign material, C. characterizing, quantifying, and recording an itemized break-down of the content of the damaged other grains contained in each sample, and D. forwarding the data electronically to FGIS. The USDA intends to award a firm-fixed price per sample non-commercial Requirements contract for this effort. The contract(s) will include a one-year base period with four one-year unilateral option periods. This will be a best value procurement. It is anticipated that the formal solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP) 026-M-APHIS-06, will be released on or about April 29, 2006 and posted on this FEDBIZOPPS website. Please download the RFP from this website. This procurement will be a total small business set-aside, therefore all responsible small businesses may submit an offer. The NAICS code is 541990 with a size standard of 6.5 million dollars. After release, one may download a copy of the solicitation at this site. NOTIFICATIONS WILL NOT BE SENT TO OFFERER’S REGARDING THE ISSUANCE OF THE SOLICITATION NOR ANY OF ITS AMENDMENTS. IT IS THE OFFERER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THIS WEB SITE. Any questions or inquiries must be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to the Contracting Office, to the attention of the point of contact listed in this notice. Point of contact: Larry Nelson, Contracting Officer, (612) 336-3225, FAX: (612) 370-2106, E-mail: [email protected]