H--Grain sampling, inspection, weighing and stowage examination services

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO RELEASE THE SOLICITATION WITH A RESPONSE DATE OF 4/21/2006.**********************************The USDA, Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), intends to procure a wide variety of services falling into the four broad categories of sampling, inspection, weighing, and stowage examination services for all grain inspection and weighing services at export port locations serviced by GIPSA in California. This procurement will include export and non-export grain inspection and weighing services at export port locations The sampling service includes sampling grain-lots using FGIS approved methods to obtain representative samples for analysis to determine quality based on grade, official factors, or official criteria or any combination of these according to the regulations, Official U.S. Standards for Grain, and instructions. The inspection service includes the analysis of grain samples for grade, official factors, or official criteria or any combination of these according to the regulations, official U.S. Standards for Grain, instructions, and the request for inspection The weighing service includes the monitoring of loading and weighing of grain-lots by grain facility weighing personnel to determine the quantity of grain-lots inspected. Unless automated methods are in place, the contractor must monitor weighing activities of the grain facilities’ personnel and verifies control board settings, digital weight displays, and printer operation and output. Stowage examination services includes examining carriers to determine if stowage areas are clean, dry, and free of infestation, rodents, toxic substance, and foreign odor; and suitable to store or carry bulk or sacked grain or other commodities. The USDA intends to award an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) non-commercial contract for this effort at Not-to-Exceed (NTE) prices. Task orders will be issued under awarded contract(s) at Firm-Fixed Prices for specific requirements on an as needed basis. 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) 015-M-APHIS-06, will be released on or about February 21, 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]