SAM #1232SA26Q0543

USDA ARS Solicits 51 Calves for Research Facility in Kerrville, TX

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is seeking quotations for the supply of 51 calves for research at the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas. - Government Buyer: - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Acquisition and Property Division - Contracting office: USDA ARS Acquisition and Property Division - Products/Services Requested: - 51 head of cattle (calves), each weighing 400–500 lbs and aged 6–24 months - Only steers and/or heifers (no bull calves) - Breed requirements: - Hereford is the primary breed - Black Angus or Charolais accepted only if Hereford is unavailable - Brahman, Brahman cross, or Brahman influence are strictly prohibited - All animals must be healthy, free of cattle fever tick exposure, and sourced/inspected within a 60-mile radius of Kerrville, TX - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Delivery is FOB destination to the USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory - Offerors must provide technical documentation and pricing based on a verifiable market report from the proposed host facility - Procurement is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 112111 (Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming) - Quote must be valid for at least 60 days - No specific OEMs or commercial livestock suppliers are named; breed requirements are specified instead - Place of performance and delivery is the USDA-ARS research facility in Kerrville, TX, with sourcing and inspection required within 60 miles of Kerrville

Description

Description -

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation.  Quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. 

Solicitation number 1232SA26Q0543 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 51 calves

This acquisition  is set-aside for small business concerns.  The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 112111  The small business size standard is $2.5M  This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.  All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the agency. 

Technical Requirements:

Quantity: 51 Head. Weight: 400–500 lbs per animal. Age: 6–24 months. Sex: Steers and/or Heifers (No bull calves). Breed Priority: Primary: Hereford. Secondary: Black Angus or Charolais (only if Hereford quantity is insufficient). Prohibited: No Brahman, Brahman cross, or Brahman influence. ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS LISTED IN THE ATTACHED SPECIFICATION SHEET

Award Type

The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation.  Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.

Evaluation and Basis for Award

The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services

is not applicable to this solicitation.  In lieu of this provision, quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203 based on the criteria listed below.  Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

The Government will conduct a comparative evaluation of quotes to select the Contractor that is best suited to fulfill the requirement. The evaluation factors are: Price (market report) and Technical Capability. The Government reserves the right to select a quote that represents a superior technical solution, even if it is not the lowest priced.

Submission Requirements:

To be considered, provide a quote on company letterhead including:

Vendor Details: SAM.gov UEI Number. Technical Documentation: Descriptive material and a "meets/does not meet" statement for the minimum specifications Physical Address of the Host Facility where animals will be inspected and loaded. Pricing: A copy of the most recent, verifiable Market Report (e.g., Weekly Livestock Auction Report) for the proposed Host Facility. This report will serve as the basis for the Government’s price evaluation. Validity: Quote must be valid for at least 60 days.

Offerors shall identify where the offered item meets or does not meet each of the Government's functional and performance minimum specifications listed herein.

Please ensure all email correspondence includes the solicitation number in the subject line.  Emails without the RFQ number in the subject line may not be seen, read, and /or reviewed and therefore disqualified from consideration.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RFQ ARE DUE TO RICHARD HAWTHORNE at Richard.hawthorne@usda.gov, NO LATER THAN 1:00 p. m. ET, May 4th, 2026. Questions will only be accepted via email and WILL NOT be answered if received after this date/time.

QUOTES REGARDING THIS RFQ ARE DUE TO RICHARD HAWTHORNE at Richard.hawthorne@usda.gov , NO LATER THAN 5:00 p. m. ET, May 6th, 2026.

USDA Address:

USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory

2700 Fredericksburg Road

Kerrville, TX, 78028

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