Maize Winter Nursery- Country of Chile

Solicitation 127EAU26Q0079 is a combined synopsis and solicitation for a firm-fixed-price commercial services contract to establish and operate a maize winter nursery in Chile for the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The period of performance is from October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. This requirement is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 111150. The contractor is responsible for all field activities for approximately 1,500 nursery rows, including land preparation, planting, irrigation, fertilization, weed and pest control, and pollination services. The specific crop composition includes 920 self-pollinated rows, 80 sib-pollinated rows, and 250 paired rows. Key deliverables include weekly or bi-weekly progress reports with photos prior to flowering and the collection of data on stand counts, plant height, and flowering. The contractor must ensure ears are dried to 12% to 14% moisture and perform shelling and packaging based on row type: individually for self-pollinated, by row for sib-pollinated, and bulk shelled for paired rows. Final requirements include providing phytosanitary certificates, conducting agricultural inspections, and performing necessary fumigation to meet US import standards. The contractor must also provide container and weight information to facilitate return shipment via UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Offers are due by September 21, 2026, and must be submitted electronically to the designated point of contact.