Construct Headhouse & Greenhouse, Peoria, IL

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service is soliciting quotations under solicitation number 1232SA26Q0701 for the construction of a headhouse and greenhouse at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois. This combined synopsis and solicitation, issued in accordance with FAR Part 12, is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 236220, with a small business size standard of $45 million. The scope involves constructing a new headhouse and greenhouse structure, including two greenhouse bays, a utility chaseway connecting to the existing building, integrated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, deionized water and makeup water extensions with backflow prevention, a complete sanitary sewer system with holding tanks and alarms, firestopping systems, and bid alternate #5 which includes a concrete pad, fencing, bollards, and underground CO2 piping with sleeves. The work must comply with USDA BSL-2P requirements, USDA APHIS containment guidelines for fungal plant pathogens, City of Peoria codes, ADA and ADAAG standards, Federal Act S.3874 for lead reduction, and other applicable state and federal regulations. The greenhouse structure is designated as a delegated design by the contractor. The contract has a fixed period of performance of 400 calendar days (13 months) from the notice to proceed, with work normally scheduled Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays. The contractor must submit a detailed construction schedule identifying critical milestones including permit applications, planned outages, government review periods, construction start and end dates, substantial completion, final inspection, and warranty commencement. All materials must be delivered in original manufacturer packaging with clear labels, and valves must remain in shipping containers with labeling intact. The contractor is required to assign a site superintendent and project manager, obtain all necessary permits and licenses at their own expense, and coordinate equipment installation for full service access. Quality control is the contractor’s exclusive responsibility, and work is subject to continuous audit by the Contracting Officer’s Representative. An independent testing agency will be hired by the Government to conduct field inspections and tests, and any non-compliant work must be removed and replaced at the contractor’s cost. Invoicing must be done electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), with paper submission to the Contracting Officer and COR first, followed by electronic submission upon approval. Invoices must