Industry Day - Modernization of the ARS Agricultural Research Technology Center (ARTC) in Salinas, CA

DUE TO HURRICANE FLORENCE THIS INDUSTRY DAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE. THE RESCHEDULED DATE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED BUT WILL BE UPDATED ON THIS SITE AS SOON AS THE DETAILS BECOME AVAILABLE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENENCE. THE ARS CONTRACTING TEAM IS LOCATED IN THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE STORM. This notice invites all interested contractors to participate in an Industry Day to communicate an overview of the Design-Bid-Build efforts needed for the USDA/ARS Agricultural Research Technology Center Modernization Project. The Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, has a requirement for Design-Bid-Build Services. "Interested contractors" would include qualified Large, Small, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HubZone), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), certified 8(a) firms, and SBA approved Mentor-Prot'g firms as well as firms interested in becoming SBA approved Mentor-Prot'g's for the purpose of this acquisition. Interested firms should anticipate a single payment and performance bonding requirement between $25,000,000 and $100,000,000 The mission of the Crop Improvement and Protection Research Unit at Salinas, CA is to improve germplasm of sugarbeet, lettuce, celery, spinach and melon, determine basic biology of viral, fungal and bacterial diseases affecting these crops, develop alternatives to methyl bromide as a soil fumigant for control of soilborne pests in strawberry and vegetables, reduce post-harvest losses of lettuce, develop scientifically based organic crop production practices, develop methods for control of weeds, and improve artichoke production practices including insect and disease control. The existing facilities at ARTC are inadequate for addressing its expanding research program. The four wood framed laboratory/office buildings constructed in the 1940s are deficient in interior air quality, and in meeting current seismic safety engineering, mechanical, electrical and building code standards. A fully completed design for the D-B-B project was completed in 2007 but the project had to be delayed because of funding issues. The design drawings and specifications have been updated to meet current building codes and regulations. The estimated cost of construction (ECC) for the three phases are still being updated. It is ARS intention to have this construction project certified as LEED Silver. The project scope was initially planned to include three separate phases of completion due to incremental funding. However, the project is now fully funded which makes it in the Government's best interest to award the full project in one contract. The scope will include the demolition of outdated buildings, site work/ landscaping, and constructing new facilities as detailed below: - West Lab/Office, 31,600 GSF - East Lab/Office, 39,400 GSF - Headhouse/Greenhouse, 37,000 GSF Industry Day will be rescheduled at a later date. The Industry day will ultimately be held at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, 1636 E. Alisal St, Salinas, CA 93905 in the large conference room. All attendees are required to bring a Government issued ID to check into security. Onsite parking is available. Due to space limitations, the number of participants is restricted to two (2) per company. All participants must be U.S. citizens. Participation by small and small disadvantaged businesses is strongly encouraged. Businesses in an SBA approved Mentor-Prot'g relationship are also encouraged to attend. Interested parties must submit the posted registration form, alphabetized by last name, via e-mail, NLT 1500 EST 6 September 2018 to Stephen Stolte at stephen.stolte@ars.usda.gov. Attendees must provide information in advance in order to ensure access to the Industry Day venue and assure adequate seating for attendees. Potential offerors are also encouraged to hold on to any questions and comments until the resecheduled Industry Day. The Government may address these questions on Industry Day or subsequently post responses on FedBizOpps. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit additional questions during Industry Day and those questions may be addressed during the question and answer session or afterwards on FedBizOpps. The Government will also post a list of all interested parties on FedBizOpps. This notice is provided for information only and is not a Request for Proposal or announcement of a solicitation. This synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bid or Request for Proposal, and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a contract or order. The Government will not pay for any effort expended or any material provided in response to this announcement nor will the Government return any data provided. Interested offerors should watch FedBizOpps for the release of any future RFP announcement at http://www.fedbizopps.gov. The Government anticipates releasing the solicitation in third quarter Fiscal Year (FY) 2019.