The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), is seeking qualified vendors for a Pest Control Service Advisor/Manager position at the Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) in Albany, California. The selected contractor will provide pesticide advisory services and supplemental spraying for various plant species, including tomatoes, wheat, and maize, while addressing threats from pests and pathogens in the greenhouse complex. This role is critical for maintaining plant health and supporting ongoing research efforts through integrated pest management practices. Interested vendors must submit their capability statements, including relevant experience and qualifications, to Shelley C. Steen at shelley.steen@usda.gov by the specified deadline, as this opportunity is part of a Total Small Business Set-Aside initiative under NAICS code 561710.

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The Crop Improvement and Genetics Research Unit at the Western Regional Research Center requires a Pest Control Service Advisor/Manager to provide pesticide advisory and supplemental spraying services for various plant species in its greenhouse facilities in Albany, CA. The plants subject to research include tomatoes, wheat, maize, and others, while the threats include fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens, along with insect pests like fungus gnats and spider mites. 

The contractor must hold a Qualified Applicator License from the California Department of Pesticide and have at least two years of greenhouse experience. Responsibilities include examining plants for pests, selecting appropriate pesticides, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, and maintaining pesticide use records. 

The contract outlines specified service hours for both pesticide advisory and supplemental spraying services across a base year and four option years, totaling 240 advisory hours and 24 spraying hours annually. Billings are based on hourly services rendered, with monthly invoicing required. This document highlights the importance of integrated pest management and coordination between the contractor and greenhouse researchers to maintain plant health and support ongoing research efforts.

Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Sources Sought: Pest Control Service Advisor/Manager for the USDA, ARS, WRRC and PGEC in Albany, CA

Description:

This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. This requirement is covered under NAICS code 561710 - Extermination and Pest Control Services. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses; Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

The USDA, ARS, WRRC has a requirement for a qualified Pest Control Service Advisor/Manager with a Qualified Applicator License/Certificate in category J: Demonstration and Research rendered by the California Department of Pesticides.  The work to be performed is to provide pesticide advisory and supplemental sprays to all the plant species in the greenhouse complex, consisting of four greenhouses.  Please refer to the Statement of Work for further details.

The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government.

Capability Statement

All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. Capability statements shall include the Contractors contact point to discuss their response.

The capability statement should include:

1) Acknowledgement that they are able to provide the subject supplies/services being requested;

2) Interested vendors should identify their size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration;

3) At least three previous requirements that are similar to the requirement include a discussion of the Contract type, delivery method, duration, etc.;

4) Any other information considered relevant to this requirement; and

5) The government requests that no proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response.

Any vendor responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine their qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published on sam.gov depending on the responses received.

All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by the notice’s POC by the deadline in order to be considered. Responses may not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.

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