Soil sample analysis

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the procedures contained in FAR Part 12.6, Acquisition of Commercial Items, and FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation will not be issued.  The solicitation number is 12405B25Q0140 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2025-04. This solicitation is issued as SB SET ASIDE. The associated NAICS code is 334516.

1. Introduction

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Southeast Watershed Research Lab (SEWRL) in Tifton, GA has need to reduce the large backlog of sample analyses that resulted from facilities occupation restrictions during the COVID Pandemic and losses of technical support staff. To this end, the SEWRL is contracting soil samples that need to be sieved (2 mm) and analyzed for texture, pH, total carbon and nitrogen, and total minerals.

1. Scope

The USDA-ARS SEWRL requires laboratory services for soil analyses of texture, pH, total carbon and nitrogen, plus total elements. The contractor shall provide results for the analysis of soil samples only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The estimated number of available samples is 1,401 soil samples during a 12-month period. The SEWRL will provide first tranche of samples. The contractor shall sieve the soil samples (2 mm) and analyze them for texture, pH, total carbon and nitrogen, and total minerals. After analysis, the contractor shall return the sieved soil samples as well as the rocks/gravel that did not pass through the sieve.

1. Period of Performance

The ordering period is 5 years. Each order will establish specific delivery terms.

1. Report Requirements

The contractor shall complete the following:

Analyses for total carbon, total nitrogen, and total mineral elements (S, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Al, B, Cu, Zn, Na, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Mo). Determination of soil total carbon and total nitrogen shall be by combustion analysis. Carbon detection performance range must be 1 - 50 % +/- 0.09% or better, and nitrogen detection performance must be 0.2 - 4% +/- 0.03% or better. Determination of total mineral elements shall be by acid digestion followed by inductively-coupled plasma with optical emission spectroscopy.  The percent recovery for the mineral elements shall be +/- 10% or better. Data will be used in research manuscript development.

1. Deliverables

Deliverable

Submitted to:

Due Date:

Analyses Report (digital computer file)

To the federal government USDA-ARS

TBD when the order is issued

1. Coordination of Work

The contractor shall perform all work described in this Statement of Work in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, technical specifications, manufacturers guidelines, USDA, REE, and the ARS mission.

1. FAR Provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, is incorporated by reference and applies to this acquisition. Please see the attached RFQ terms and conditions for the submission requirements and its addendum.

1. Evaluation:

For the evaluation criteria, please see the attached RFQ terms and conditions.

1. Quoters are required to complete in full FAR Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (DEVIATION), with their quote online at SAM: www.sam.gov.  A quoter must state in their quote if they completed FAR 52.212-3 online and that is it up-to-date and valid. See the attached RFQ terms and conditions for more requirements.

System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations, including 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals—Representation, and paragraph (t) of 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Agencies will not consider or use these representations. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM

1. FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Please see the attached RFQ terms and conditions for its Addendum.

1. FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (DEVIATION), is incorporated and applies to this acquisition. Please see the attached RFQ terms and conditions that are applicable to the acquisition.

1. There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions (such as contract financing arrangements or warranty requirements) determined by the contracting officer to be necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices.

1. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned ratings are not applicable to this solicitation.

Submit Quotes to Kelly.Bero@usda.go on July 28, 2025 at 5:00pm est.