USDA ARS MWA, 1815 N. University St., Peoria IL

37 -- HIGH CLEARANCE ADJUSTABLE WIDTH TRACTOR SOL 5114-6-3013 DUE 071596 POC Lorna Flansburg 309-681-6615 The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area, has a requirement for a High Clearance, Adjustable Width Tractor (HCT) and Trailer. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issues. Solicitation number 5114-6-3013. This solicitation is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-36. This solicitation is set-aside for small business. Applicable SIC code is 3523, and size standard is 500 employees. his purchase includes the high clearance tractor, soil probe, trailer, and provisions for mounting a cone penetrometer. Purpose: This tractor will be used primarily with a Giddings soil coring machine or other similar device to take a variety of soil samples for: fertility testing, root sampling, soil biology, bulk density measurements, pesticide analysis, soil hydraulic properties, neutron access tube installation, other tilth related observation and measurements. It also will be used as a platform for making mechanized impedance measurements, field scouting, and as a work platform in the field where foot traffic outside of the wheel track areas is not permitted. CLIN 0001:Tractor: It will be necessary for this tractor to enter a field at any time during the growing season and into a wide variety of crops. To accomplish this the tractor must have the following features: operator must be able to control wheel width, height and position of operator platform and soil probe, travel direction and speed from the operator platform; adjustable width wheel base, from 60'' to 90'' center to center; adjustable machine height to a clearance of 90'' and side to side leveling ability (minimum 15'' adjustability); adjustable height operator/probe platform from near ground level to 90'' maximum (adjustable from operator's station); operator/instrument platform adjustable side to side in field to accommodate different row widths; minimum machine vertical crop clearance of 72''; maximum tractor height of 10 feet when in transport mode; four wheel drive; four wheel steering;35 hp minimum engine size, gasoline; field speeds of 1 mph to 7 mph; road transport speeds up to 10 mph desirable; 7.50'' x 24'' 6-ply tires; shield around operator's platform to protect operator and crops; operator's platform must provide rollover protection to operator; engine/hydraulic system to provide minimum of 20 gpm @2000 psi hydraulic oil for soil sampling device; maximum tractor weight of 7000 lbs; tractor must be capable of carrying up to 5000 lbs of customer installed equipment and ballast; hydraulic powered earth anchors (on inside of each wheel) to anchor tractor to earth; adjustability of soil probe from side to side between 30'' rows and lock into place for probing; fail safe electric hydraulic brakes; tube brush cleaner-placed within easy access of machine operator; soil probe and penetrometer must be tilted and placed out of the way for storage and transport. CLIN 0002:Trailer: Tandem drop axle goose-neck retractable ball type trailer to accommodate public road transport of tractor. Includes the pickup truck mounted retractable king pin hitch and necessary modification to the truck; electric brakes; 7000 lb rated axles; 2 5/16'' ball. CLIN 0003:Soil probe: The soil probe will be a standard Giddings nt hydraulic soil sampling probe capable of pushing 4'' coring tubes up to 25 feet deep in loam soils. The probe should include the following accessories: Rotary auger power head for soil drilling; 1 - hydraulic rotary tube brush; 60'' master cylinder; 3 - 8-foot kelly bars; 1 dozen kelly bar flush pins; 1 - 2'' x 48'' soil tubes; 2 - 2'' soil tube bit; 2 - 2'' heavy duty quick relief soil tube bit; 1 - 3'' x 48'' soil tube; 2 - 3'' soil tube bits; 1 - 2'' x 48'' flight auger; 1 - 3'' x 48'' flight auger; 2 - 2'' tube cleaning brushes; 1 - 3'' tube cleaning brush; 6 - 1 =BD'' adapter pins; 6 - 2'' adapter pins; 3 - 3'' adapter pins; 1 - soil tube adapter (2''); 1 - soil tube adapter (3''). CLIN 0004: Penetrometer mounting: An advanceable probe/platform with appropriate controls onto which a cone penetrometer may be mounted for taking penetration resistance measurement. (Initially, this will be a hand operated penetrometer (Rimik CP20) with self contained data collection and depth measurement capabilities.) The probe mounting must be: moveable so that multiple penetrations can be taken without moving the tractor; manually or automatically advance/adjust the cone to the soil surface prior to initiate readings; adjustable constant penetration advance rate, 0.5 to 3 m/min; adjustable safety stop setting for maximum depth of advance, up to 1m; adjustable safety trip setting for maximum force on the penetrometer, range 40-100 kg, to avoid damage on hitting rocks. FOB Destination to St. Paul, MN. Deliver by December 1, 1996. FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial applies to this acquisition. Offers shall be evaluated on price and other price related factors. Provide descriptive literature and cost proposal. FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items applies and a completed copy of the provision shall be submitted with each offer. FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items applies to this acquisition. Offers are to be received by 2:00 pm, July 15, 1996 at USDA ARS MWA, 1815 N. University Street, Room 2016, Peoria, IL 61604. The POC for this acquisition is Lorna Flansburg, (309)- 681-6615. (0159)

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