F -- Pine Cone Harvesting

The 96th Contracting Squadron (96 CONS/MSCB), Eglin AFB, intends to solicit and negotiate a sole source contract for harvesting of pine seed. The contractor shall provide all labor, transportation, equipment, tools, material, and facilities for collection of Longleaf Pine Cones on Eglin Air Force Base. The contractor will deliver the unprocessed cones to Knud Nielsen Company, Inc. for processing and storage. Tree shakers used in this performance shall be self-propelled type on rubber tires. Tree shaker clamps shall have sufficient clamp padding to prevent damage to the tree being shaken for cones. Harvesting is done only in designated areas. Harvesting will begin within seven days of being notified by the government the cones are ripe for harvest. Collection shall be no later than 24 hours after shaken. Cone collection must progress at a rate of 1000 bushels per week. Store and ripen cones in such a way as to protect them from damage. Extract, de-wing and dry seen to 6-9% moisture content. Grade seed by size to 99% purity. Packaged seed in drums with six-mil polyethylene bag liners and store the process seed in coolers. The authority of FAR 13.5 and FAR 6.302-1. Applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this sale is 113110. The size standard for the NAICS code is $6 million. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, the government will consider all quotations/responses received by COB 30 Sep 2005. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Any quotations or questions can be faxed to Elisa J. Horrach 850-882-1680 or emailed to [email protected] no later than 10:00am CST 30 Sep 05. Only quotation received by this date will be considered.