Agricultural Reports

This is a Request for Information (RFI). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking sources through market research for a possible future procurement to provide an online weekly agricultural report for distribution to Farm Loan Programs staff in the National, State, District, and County offices. Acquisition of a publication would provide field staff with timely, comprehensive information they can rely on in making sound lending decisions and providing guidance to new applicants and existing borrowers on farm practices or new initiatives that affect their operations or the farming community in general. This notice is issued to collect information about potential sources as part of market research, and does not constitute a formal solicitation. A formal solicitation notice and subsequent award will be dependent upon the Government's need for the publication and availability of funds. This is not a solicitation for offers or quotes and responses cannot be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. 1. BACKGROUND: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Agency is a lender for rural America, including geographic locations of the United State, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Western Pacific Territories. FSA is structured with a National Office, located in Washington, D.C.; and 47 State Offices. The State Offices are separated into District and County Offices. The FSA must furnish management guidance daily to approximately 190,000 Farm Loan program borrowers throughout the United States and its territories. 2. REQUIREMENTS: Interested parties are encouraged to identify their interest and ability to offer a publication which meets the requirements set forth below: (a) Current cash prices, livestock slaughter numbers, export inspections and planted crop acreages. (b) Up-front issues, involving the latest economic trends affecting agricultural production. (c) Guidance on how and when to buy and sell various commodities. (d) Summaries of new farm legislation and updates on ongoing Government programs affecting all USDA agencies. (e) Supplemental articles and fact sheets on profit management issues, price and production outlooks, current production and financial management practices, specific machinery buildings and equipment specifications, income tax and other investment information. (f) Crop and livestock hotlines for up-to-minute pricing and marketing information. 3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (a) Ability to transfer files between server computer system to client computer systems to enable Government to post publication to Agency web server in HTML format. (b) Source can provide an online product that does not require additional software to be placed on Agency computer systems. (c) Ability of client to retain use of archive files for period of contract. (d) Ability to grant online access to at least 1,650 users Monday through Friday during normal business hours. (e) Ability to provide volume discount based on number of subscriptions. 4. Estimated Requirements: 1,650 online subscriptions, with a base and four 1 year option periods for renewal. Submittal of a sample of the product is desired, but not necessary. 5. INTERESTED PARTIES ACTION: In addition to addressing the requirements listed in items 2, 3 and 4, interested parties should provide company name, address, customer service and technical points of contact, including names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. Responses to this RFI should be submitted via e-mail to the contact listed herein.