This is a Sources Sought Notice ONLY. The Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Fort McCoy, WI is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for native grass and flower seeds to be delivered FOB Destination to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.
The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 111998, All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming, with a small business size standard of $2.5 million.
The results of this market research will contribute to identifying potential sources and determining the method of procurement if a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. All small business set-aside socioeconomic categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions. Be advised that the U.S. Government will not be able to set aside this requirement if two (2) or more small businesses do not respond with information to support the set-aside.
This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or IFB or RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor SAM.gov for additional information pertaining to this requirement.
The U.S. Government is seeking qualified sources capable of providing native prairie grass and forb species to maintain and repair Fort McCoy Training Lands, stabilize erosion and increase native plant communities. Native plant species, when planted within an existing plant community should be of the same species, variety, and have originated as close to the planting local as possible, at minimum within the same eco-region, to maintain biological integrity of the existing plant communities. Based on this need, we are looking to purchase native grass seeds and forbs from a vendor whose primary sources are within Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa or Illinois. Exceptions on species or quantities from outside of the states listed must get reviewed and approval by POCs prior to acceptance.
Species and varieties shall meet those identified below and in the contract. This will provide for the most viable and suitable seeds for the Fort McCoy area.
The Acceptable Species and Varieties are as follows:
a) Little Blue Stem Grass – Schizachyrium scoparium
b) Side Oats Gramma Grass – Boutelua curtipendala
c) Canada Wild Rye – Elymus Canadensis
d) June Grass – Koehleria macrantha (cristata)
e) Big Blue Stem – Andropogon gerardii
f) Indian Grass – Sorghastrum nutans
g) Sand Drop Seed – Sporobolus cryptandrus
h) Prairie Drop Seed – Sporobolus heterolepsis
i) Round Headed Bush Clover – Lespedeza capitata
j) Black Eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta
k) Gray Golden Rod (Old Field) – Solidago nemoralis
l) Button Blazing Star – Liatris aspera
m) Common Milkweed – Asclepias syriaca
n) Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa
o) Wild Bergamont – Monarda fistulosa
p) Hoary Vervain – Verbena stricta
q) Purple Prairie Clover – Dalea purpurea
r) Spotted Bee Balm – Monarda punctata
s) Oats – Avena sativa (Cover crop purposes)
t) Common Wood Sedge – Carex blanda
u) Virginia Wild Rye – Elymus virginicus
v) Ear-leaved Brome – Bromus latiglumis
w) Artic Brome – Bromus kalmia
x) New England Aster – Symphyotrichum novaeanglia
y) Zigzag Goldenrod – Solidago flexicaulis
z) Wild Geranium – Geranium maculatum
aa) Bellwort – Uvularia grandiflora
bb) Columbine – Aquilegia canadensis
cc) Pointed leaf tick Trefoil – Desmodium glutinosum
dd) Thimbleweed – Anemone virginiana
ee) Meadow rue – Thalictrum dasycarpum
ff) Poke Milkweed – Asclepias exaltata
gg) Solomon’s Seal – polygonatum biflorum
hh) False Solomon’s Seal – Maianthemum stellatum
ii) Harebell – Campanula rotundifolia
jj) Bottlebrush Grass – Elymus hystrix
All quantities delivered will be packaged in 50 pound bags or less and properly labeled with quantities and species enclosed. Vendors need to have the ability to custom mix and bag any of the species listed to Fort McCoy specifications with any order. For Example: POC request mixing of grass species: Species A – 20 lb., Species B- 12 lb., Species C – 1.6 lbs., and Species D – 5 lb. Total Weight of the mix is 38.6 lbs. and bagged/labeled as such. All seed must be delivered with germination rates/test results and seed purity test results. The percentage of noxious weed species must be negligible or non-existent.
In response to this Sources sought, please provide:
- Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, website address, telephone number, UEI number, CAGE code, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.
- Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not. Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangements that will be pursued, if any.
- Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent qualifications, proposed solution, alternative solution, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination.
- Information to help determine if the required item is commercially available, including pricing information, basis for the pricing information (e.g., market pricing, catalog pricing), delivery schedules, customary terms and conditions, warranties, etc.
- Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition by and among small business concerns. Provide recommendations to improve the approach/specifications to acquiring the identified items.
- Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition. Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.
Your response to this Sources Sought, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to the Contract Specialist, Dustin Robertson via email at dustin.t.robertson4.civ@army.mil no later than 10:00 a.m. CST on 19 November 2024. Please reference all email correspondence with the following Subject line: Fort McCoy Native Seed. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.
