Corn Silage Chopping

This solicitation, issued under the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 12, seeks commercial corn silage chopping services through a Request for Quotation numbered 1232SA26Q0457, classified under NAICS code 111150 as a total small business set-aside. The work involves harvesting and bagging corn silage at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, with performance required between June 1 and November 30, 2026, and actual harvesting expected between August 1 and October 30, contingent on crop maturity and weather. The contractor must chop and bag between three and six 200-foot long silage bags totaling no more than 1,200 tons, maintaining a consistent particle size of three-quarters of an inch and a moisture content between 62% and 70%. Equipment must include a minimum three-row head with a kernel processor, and the use of PIONEER BRAND 11A44 or an equivalent inoculant is mandatory. Bags must be filled on a level rock chip, gravel, or concrete base, and accurate records of tonnage and loads per vehicle and field must be maintained. The contract is firm-fixed price, with award based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable methodology, requiring compliance with technical standards, acceptable or neutral past performance, and full pricing that includes all elements detailed in the Statement of Work, such as labor, travel, and equipment. The quotation must be submitted via email to james.porter@usda.gov with the subject line “Quote for 1232SA26Q0457” by 4:00 PM CDT on July 10, 2026, and prices must remain firm for 90 calendar days. All offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management and comply with a comprehensive suite of FAR and agency-specific clauses, including prohibitions on trafficking in persons, employment eligibility verification, paid sick leave requirements, debarment restrictions, and anti-discrimination mandates under AGAR 452.203-70, which requires certification that neither the offeror nor its partners engage in DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination laws. Quality assurance is governed by a detailed Surveillance Plan that includes periodic inspections, 100% forage testing of every bag upon opening, and strict standards for dry matter, particle size, packing integrity, and safety. Invoicing must