Armed to Farm (VA-18-00144886)
This is a Sources Sought Notice.
(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought or to otherwise pay for the information solicited.
(b) Although "proposal," "offeror," contractor, and "offeror" may be used in this sources sought notice, any response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.
(c) Any information received from a contractor in response to this Sources Sought may be used in creating a solicitation. Any information received which is marked with a statement, such as "proprietary" or "confidential," intended to restrict distribution will not be distributed outside of the Government, except as required by law.
(d) This Sources Sought is issued by VISN 2 Contracting Office in Cheektowaga, NY for the purpose of collecting information about a requirement for an immersion program into the various agricultural endeavors, farm business, marketing and financial workshops for the Canandaigua VA Medical Center. The period of performance is one year and the anticipated award date is November 1, 2018. The NAICS code identified for this requirement is 624310 Vocational Rehab Services. The requirement is detailed in the Statement of Work section of this document.
(e) Cursory market research has identified no small businesses that appear to be able to provide for this requirement. Contractors that are able to meet the requirements in the attachment are encouraged to email a capability statement and full information to Joseph Cellino at Joseph.Cellino@va.gov. Please send all inquiries to: Joseph.Cellino@va.gov by 4:00 pm EST Friday, October 26, 2018. Phone calls will not be accepted.
- Part of the purpose of this sources sought is to determine the viability of set aside to a specific socio-economic category. Contractors shall identify the NAICS code for the services being offered as well as their size status under said NAICS. This information will be used to determine the viability of a set aside for this requirement.
- Contractors shall also identify any Federal Supply Schedules that may carry the desired services.
- Contractors shall identify pertinent point of contact for company, contractor DUNS number for size standard and socioeconomic verification in SAM and VIP.
- Contractors shall include any relevant comments about the Attachment(s) if applicable.
DRAFT PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT
Mission: To create pathways for veterans to access agricultural training and support.
Purpose: This program is to train 180 Veterans on specific agricultural skills and develop a network of Veterans starting careers in agriculture.
Scope: Provide all facilities, staffing and expertise for an agricultural training program delivered to eligible Veterans. The goal of this program is to train Veterans and develop a network of Veterans starting careers in agriculture. This is for two 1-week training intensives (Armed to Farm), local Cornell Cooperative Extension agricultural services and additional 3-day trainings on a variety of topics related to agriculture.
Training events will include a mix of educational classes covering topics such as risk management, business planning and marketing. It also includes hands-on activities with successful livestock, crop and agritourism operations. The anticipated contractor for this training is Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension Staff with additional expertise as needed.
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED:
BASIC SERVICES. The contractor shall furnish each Veteran referred for care under this contract with the following basic services:
Farming Trainings: Provide eligible Veterans with the opportunity to participate in one of two separate 5-day workshops as part of a small cadre of up to 30 veterans and their partners (up to 60 participants total). The program includes classroom activities facilitated by state-wide and nationally known educators, combined with farm tours at some of the best small farms the region has to offer.
Focused Trainings: Provide opportunities for both in-person and online educational training classes ranging in topics from enterprise specific crop, livestock, and urban farming general subjects related to risk management, agritourism, value-added processing, farm business and marketing. These courses work towards the goal of encouraging a deeper understanding of options leasing to success as either an entrepreneurial farmer, or employee in an agricultural-based businesses. The contractor will host up to 12 in-person events (targeting 3 per quarter) coordinated with partners to ensure maximum attendance and appropriate content for participants interests and skill level.
Anticipated Topics:
Indoor Mushroom Growing
Vegetable Intensive
Maple Syrup Production Intensive
Pasteurized Poultry
Pasture management and grazing
Launching a farm beverage enterprise
Soil health and reduced tillage
Land Leasing
Farm Enterprise Planning and Business
Introduce both general and enterprise-specific resources based on each individual participant s interests in agriculture and their current knowledge level and learning preferences (combining written text, video, audio, online interactive, in-person, etc.) into a customized learning plan.
The contractor will support a peer network of Veterans and their families who are starting careers in sustainable agriculture and connect technical assistance resources to participants and their partners as they start and improve their farming operations.
Contractor will track each participants participation in the program and report individual and class progress to partners on a quarterly basis. No personal information will be recorded beyond names and basic contact information.
Joseph R Cellino
Contract Specialist Intern
(716)834-9200 x5054
Contracting Officer
