Welcome to the Northern Plains Area Contracting and Acquisition Service Section. This page includes useful contracting information, links and staff contact information. We’re here to help and encourage you to contact us if you have questions or need additional information. On this Page: Staff Request for Quotes Required Sources Acquisition Vehicles Customer Service Plan

Helpful Links:

• Moratorium on Significant Information Technology Acquisitions *
• USDA Procurement Home Page *
• Acquisition Toolkit *
• Purchase Card Management System (PCMS) * 
  • REE Purchase Card Manual: 213.3M *
  • USDA Purchase Card Regulations & Guides *
• GSA Advantage & GSA e-Buy *
• IntraMall *
• Other sources:
  • UNICOR *
  • JWOD *
  • NIB *
  • NISH *
• Veteran Owned Business Search *
• NAICS Codes *
• Federal Acquisition Institute *

Staff:

• James Wiltse - Supervisory Procurement Analyst
     Phone: (970) 492-7017
     Fax: (970) 492-7031
     E-mail: james.wiltse@ars.usda.gov
• Lee Shea - Contract Specialist
     Phone: (970) 492-7015
     Fax: (970) 492-7031
     E-mail: lee.shea@ars.usda.gov
•  Gail Wenaas - Purchasing Agent
     Phone: 970-492-7046
     Fax: 970-492-7031
     E-mail: gail.wenaas@ars.usda.gov

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This section contains projects for which we are currently seeking quotes from vendors. If you are interested in submitting a quote, review the file and return your quote by the closing date. If you have any questions, contact the Contracting Officer listed in the Request for Quote. All quotes listed below are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

• No Request for Quotes are currently active.

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Supplies:

• Agency Inventories
• Excess from other agencies
• Products from the Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled
• Wholesale supply sources, such as GSA, DLA, VA
• Mandatory Federal Supply Schedules
• Optional Use Federal Supply Schedules
• Commercial Sources

Services:

• Services available from the Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled
• Mandatory Federal Supply Schedules
• Optional Federal Supply Schedules
• Other sources

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• Government Purchase Card or Check
• Purchase Order
• Delivery Order
• Task Order
• Contract

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Introduction

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Northern Plains Area Acquisition Section (NPAAS) is committed to providing quality acquisition support services to its customers. This document addresses the type of services provided, the means of delivering the services, and a means for measuring provisions of these services.

Work Unit Description

The NPAAS provides acquisition support for requirements up to $1 million for supplies, services, and construction; and $100K for Architect/Engineering services. The unit consists of a Supervisory Procurement Analyst, a Contract Specialist, and a Purchasing Agent who provide support to the Fort Collins locations as well as to the entire Northern Plains Area.

Identification of Customers

Internal:

• ARS Area Office Staff
• ARS NPA locations
• ARS Budget and Program Management Staff
• ARS Administrator and National Program Staff
• ARS National Agricultural Library
• ARS, FD, Real Property Management Branch
• ARS, FD, Safety, Health, and Environmental Branch
• ARS, Procurement and Property Division
• ARS, Financial Management Division

External:

• U.S. Congress
• USDA, Office of Budget and Program Analysis
• Office of Management and Budget
• Universities (Cooperators)
• Commodity Groups
• Producers
• Small Business Administration
• Various Contractors
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Corps of Engineers

Work Services

Provide guidance on sources of supply, type of acquisition vehicle, develop acquisition time lines, review statements of work, implement acquisition bidding/negotiation, award orders, administer contracts, ensure delivery, process payments to contractors, close out projects. Federal Acquisition Regulations, Department of Agriculture regulations, numerous policies and procedures manuals, court decisions, Executive Orders, etc., provide details on project execution.

Code of Conduct

Putting the customer first is the cornerstone and fundamental principle of the NPAAS customer service philosophy. There is a total commitment to involving the customer throughout the project implementation process, treating the customer with courtesy and respect, offering creative and innovative choices where allowed by Federal Acquisition Regulations, Department of Agriculture regulations, numerous policies and procedures manuals, court decisions, Executive Orders, etc., completing actions in a timely manner and correctly the first time, and providing ongoing regular feedback on actions taken. The goal is to provide innovative facilities services support into the 21st century.

Organization's Performance Standards

• Customer Inquiry - Respond within one business day
• Receipt of "Ready Requisition" - Initiate action within 5 business days
• Acquisition Award - As dictated by type/dollar value of requirement
• Acquisition Delivery - As dictated by type/dollar value of requirement
• Final Payment and Contract Close-Out - Within 5 days of acceptance & invoice

Partnership Relationship

Processing acquisition requirements is accomplished via a partnership consisting of program management, ARS Procurement/Property and Facilities Division, commercial firms, and universities. Customer feedback and suggestions for improvement in service delivery are always welcome. Comments or questions can be directed to the following number:

Supervisory Procurement Analyst:
James Wiltse, 970-492-7017

Periodic Review and Assessment

Feedback on services provided will be solicited on an annual basis for the purpose of determining if service delivery is being provided per the customer standards.

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