28ft Conservation No-tilt Drill

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12. It constitutes the only solicitation, and no separate written solicitation will be issued. The acquisition is set aside for small business concerns. The applicable NAICS code and size standard are to be determined.

The solicitation incorporates various FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions by reference, which will apply to any awarded order. Key clauses include:

• FAR 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

• FAR 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023)

• FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2025)

• AGAR 452.211-76 Regulatory Requirements for Commodities and Packaging - Domestic

• AGAR 452.211-77 Commodity/Packaging Labeling Requirements

• AGAR 452.222-71 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance (Dec 2025)

• AGAR 452.225-70 U.S. Origin Products – Domestic and International (Dec 2025)

• AGAR 452.246-71 Manufacturing Practices (Oct 2025)

• AGAR 452.246-73 FDA Food Facility Registration Number (Oct 2025)

• It is anticipated that a single award will be made from this solicitation.

• All offers will be considered F.O.B. Destination unless F.O.B. origin is specified with estimated shipping costs.

• Submission Deadline: Questions are due by May 1, 2026, 4:00 PM Central Time via email to lynn.hults@usda.gov. The solicitation name and number should be in the email subject line.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on the following criteria:

  • Technical Approach: Ability to meet schedule requirements and a thorough understanding of the SOW. Offers must clearly demonstrate capability.
  • Price: Must be fair and reasonable.
  • Past Performance: May be evaluated using provided references, USDA contract history, CPARS, and other government sources. Ratings will be Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

• Award will be made to the highest technically rated offeror whose price is fair and reasonable and whose past performance is acceptable or neutral. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt of offers.

• This acquisition is set aside for small business concerns.

• The document includes detailed clauses regarding delivery instructions, advance shipment notices, regulatory requirements for commodities and packaging, compensation for delays, unitization, U.S. origin products, manufacturing practices, FDA registration, and shipping requirements.

• Offerors must provide pricing for all line items to be considered responsive.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document specifies the technical requirements for a 28-ft conservation drill needed by the Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research Unit. It details the equipment's specifications to ensure compatibility with existing systems and research needs.

• Width: 28-ft mainframe with two 7-ft hydraulic wings, allowing independent operation of sections.
• Seeding & Fertilization: Capable of seeding crops from canola to garbanzo beans, applying liquid fertilizers, and variable rate seeding/fertilization per wing.
• Compatibility: Software must be compatible with Trimble TMX 2050 guidance and variable rate control systems. The drill must be compatible with existing tractor equipment and use a drawbar hitch.
• Components: Includes 3-section seed controllers, active hydraulic down pressure arms, 28 openers with side mount shanks (paired row, dual PW), 28 additional Dutch openers, 12" spacing, 3" clean out auger, 8' fill auger, and a 100-bushel seed box.
• Functionality: Ability to apply deep band and starter fertilizer, switch to double disk openers.
• Transport: Transport width must be 18-ft or less.

This attachment outlines the critical technical specifications for the conservation drill. Bidders must ensure their proposed equipment meets all listed requirements, particularly regarding width, seeding/fertilization capabilities, software/hardware compatibility (Trimble TMX 2050), and operational features. Failure to meet these specifications may render a proposal non-compliant. The document also highlights the mission-critical nature of this acquisition due to the replacement of an outdated and insufficient existing drill.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the evaluation criteria for an upcoming solicitation. It specifies that the award will be made to the offeror with the highest technically rated quotation that also has fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable or neutral past performance. The provision at FAR 52.212-2 is not applicable; instead, evaluation will be in accordance with FAR 12.203.

Quotes will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical Approach: Assesses the offeror's ability to provide a sound, compliant approach that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the requirements. Offerors must detail their ability to meet delivery requirements, explain any unmet specifications, and describe how they will accomplish the SOW requirements.
• Price: Any quantity price discounts and prompt payment discounts should be included. Pricing for the base period and all individual line items is mandatory. The quotation will be evaluated per FAR 12.204 to determine if it is fair and reasonable.
• Past Performance: The government will use provided references, past contract information (USDA), and sources like CPARS to assess past performance. Ratings can be 'Acceptable' (demonstrated ability to meet requirements), 'Neutral' (no past performance record), or 'Unacceptable' (documented history of failing to meet requirements).

Award will be made to the highest technically rated offeror, provided their proposed price is fair and reasonable, and their past performance is acceptable or neutral. Tradeoffs will not be conducted, and the award will not necessarily go to the lowest-priced offeror.