Notice of Intent to Award on Sole Source Basis, USDA-ARS PGRU NY AGR Research

. (14) Contract Award Date. (15) Contractor: Alleghany Farm Services (17) Place of Contract Performance: USDA-ARS PGRU, McCarthy Farm, 2865 County Road 6, Geneva, NY 14456 (18) Set-aside Status: 100% Small Business THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS/QUOTATIONS. This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. This procurement will be processed pursuant to FAR Part 12 and 36, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. No solicitation will be issued. Potential sources who believe they can provide the services listed are invited to submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact. Information received will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. Responses are to be received within thirty (30) calendar days of this notice. No telephone calls are being accepted. (16) Description. The United States Department Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), supported by the R8 Procurement and Property Support Services Division, Region 8 US Forest Service, CSA 11, intends to award on a single source basis. Purchase order type will be a Firm Fixed Price awarded to Alleghany Farm Services. This requirement is for the purchase of professional agricultural drainage construction services to install, repair, and improve subsurface drainage tile systems at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Genetic Resources Unit located at 2862 County Road 6, Geneva, New York 14456. The work includes field surveying, installation of new drainage tile, connection to existing drainage infrastructure, installation of drainage outlets and rodent guards, and use of specialized equipment to install drainage tile within vineyard and specialty crop research fields. These improvements are needed to reduce waterlogged conditions, improve soil drainage and field access, increase the amount of usable agricultural land, and support plant genetic resource conservation, regeneration, and agricultural research activities conducted at the facility. This project is essential to support the mission of the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetic Resources Unit by ensuring that agricultural research and germplasm regeneration fields remain accessible, productive, and suitable for crop production. The installation and improvement of subsurface drainage systems will reduce standing water and waterlogged soil conditions that currently limit planting, cultivation, maintenance, and harvesting operations. If this project is completed, poorly drained areas will continue to experience excessive soil moisture, resulting in reduced field accessibility, delayed planting and harvest operations, increased soil compaction, and degraded growing conditions. These conditions will negatively impact germplasm regeneration activities, research trials, and field-based plant breeding programs by reducing crop establishment, increasing the risk of crop loss, and compromising the quality and reliability of research data. Failure to complete the drainage improvements will also reduce the amount of usable agricultural land available for research and regeneration activities, limiting the Plant Genetic Resources Unit's capacity to maintain, regenerate, and distribute plant genetic resources. Continued deterioration of drainage conditions may result in increased maintenance costs, additional crop losses, and long-term reductions in operational efficiency. The project is therefore mission essential to maintaining critical agricultural research infrastructure and supporting the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources entrusted to the Agricultural Research Service.