1232SA26Q0259 - Combination Synopsis/Solicitation for Bale Wrapper with Round Bale Grabber for USDA-ARS-MWA Madison WI 1232SA26Q0259

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 1232SA26Q0259 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for acquisition of a baler wrapper with round bale grabber on a Brand Name or Equal basis. Offeror's are not limited to one RFQ response, however for each "or equal" a separate RFQ shall be submitted for comparative analysis. This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 333111 Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing. The small business size standard is 1250 Employees. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. See Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions for applicable clauses, instructions, and evaluation criteria. NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ombudsman Program The USDA is committed to issuing solicitations and awarding contracts in a fair and prompt manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation. Operating independently, OPAP offers relief comparable to that granted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA s internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO. Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman. Informal Forum with the Ombudsman 1. Initial Point of Contact: Interested parties who believe a specific USDA procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer. 2. Escalation: If the Contracting Officer is unable to address their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the USDA Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Utilization of the informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a formal protest with the agency or other forums. 3. Required Information: To ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable). Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman 1. Effort to Resolve: Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions. 2. Independent Review: If the protester s concerns remain unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest with either the Contracting Officer or, alternatively, with the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government. 3. Resolution Timeline: The agency s goal is to resolve protests within 35 calendar days from the date of filing. 4. Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104(a)(3). Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest. 5. Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104. 6. Submission: Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to SPE.inquity@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer. Election of Forum. By initiating a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protestis pending. If a protest is filed externally, the agency protest will be dismissed. Attachments: Attachment I - Solicitation Terms and Conditions Attachment II - SOW/Specifications Attachment III - Contractor Request for Information Attachment IV - Past Performance Questionnaire

Amendment 0001 - To upload Government responses to Contractor RFIs. To clarify the delivery point for the baler. A signed copy of Amendment 0001 shall be included with all quotation responses. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 1232SA26Q0259 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for acquisition of a baler wrapper with round bale grabber on a Brand Name or Equal basis. Offeror's are not limited to one RFQ response, however for each "or equal" a separate RFQ shall be submitted for comparative analysis. This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 333111 Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing. The small business size standard is 1250 Employees. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. See Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions for applicable clauses, instructions, and evaluation criteria. NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ombudsman Program The USDA is committed to issuing solicitations and awarding contracts in a fair and prompt manner. The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation. Operating independently, OPAP offers relief comparable to that granted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA s internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO. Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman. Informal Forum with the Ombudsman 1. Initial Point of Contact: Interested parties who believe a specific USDA procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer. 2. Escalation: If the Contracting Officer is unable to address their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the USDA Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Utilization of the informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a formal protest with the agency or other forums. 3. Required Information: To ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable). Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman 1. Effort to Resolve: Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions. 2. Independent Review: If the protester s concerns remain unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest with either the Contracting Officer or, alternatively, with the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government. 3. Resolution Timeline: The agency s goal is to resolve protests within 35 calendar days from the date of filing. 4. Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104(a)(3). Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest. 5. Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104. 6. Submission: Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to SPE.inquity@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer. Election of Forum. By initiating a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protestis pending. If a protest is filed externally, the agency protest will be dismissed. Attachments: Attachment I - Solicitation Terms and Conditions Attachment II - SOW/Specifications Attachment III - Contractor Request for Information Attachment IV - Past Performance Questionnaire

This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. This requirement is covered under NAICS code . The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified U.S. manufacturer sources for a brand name or equal for the Goweil Model LT Master F-60 Baler/Wrapper and Bale Grabber RBG60. Or equals shall meet or exceed the specifications of the listed brand name equipment. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Capability Statement All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. Capability statements shall include the Contractors contact point to discuss their response. The capability statement should include: 1) Acknowledgement that they are able to provide the subject supplies/services being requested; 2) Interested vendors should identify their size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration; 3) At least three previous requirements that are similar to the requirement include a discussion of the Contract type, delivery method, duration, etc.; 4) Any other information considered relevant to this requirement; and 5) The government requests that no proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response. Any vendor responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine their qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published on sam.gov depending on the responses received. All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by the notice s POC by the deadline in order to be considered. Responses may not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.