Chemical Analysis for Plant and Soil Samples

The contract for Chemical Analysis for Plant and Soil Samples under solicitation number 1232SA26Q0443 is a firm-fixed price award issued by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Area Field Management, Agricultural Programs Division, with performance based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) method as defined by FAR 12.203. The contractor is required to perform chemical analyses on 256 dried, non-ground soil samples and 192 dried and ground plant samples collected from the 2025 Manure Priming Project, with results delivered within 30 days of sample receipt at the Conservation and Production Research Laboratory in Bushland, Texas. Analytical parameters include NH4-N, NO3-N, Acid Detergent Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, TKN, Chlorine, Ash, and MICP, reported on a dry weight basis using specified methodologies such as the Ankom method, with tolerances of ±1.0 mg/kg and ±0.1%. Performance is penalized by 15% for submissions between 35–45 days and 30% beyond 45 days. Samples must be delivered FOB Destination to Bushland, Texas, and all results are submitted electronically to Anna.Ortiz@usda.gov. The contract is governed by a comprehensive set of FAR clauses including 52.212-4 for commercial item terms, 52.232-39 for unauthorized obligations, 52.203-13 for ethics, 52.240-92 and 52.240-93 for cybersecurity, 52.204-9 for identity verification, and 52.222-50 for combating trafficking. Compliance with Buy American provisions and restrictions on subcontracting is required, and the contractor must adhere to USDA-ARS protocols and AOAC standards. The contracting officer representative is Jessica Pacheco, based in Beltsville, Maryland, who also serves as the primary point of contact. Offerors must hold a current SAM Unique Entity Identifier, self-certify their small business status under NAICS code 541620 with a $19 million size standard, and affirm compliance with anti-discrimination and DEI requirements under AGAR 452.203-70 and 452.203-71, which prohibit funding