15 Holstein or Holstein Cross Calves
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The USDA-ARS Mid-West Area National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa, is soliciting quotations for 15 Holstein or Holstein/Cross calves for research purposes. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for commercial items. The government intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order. Quotations are due by March 17, 2026.
Scope of Work
The calves are required for research to evaluate the nasopharyngeal colonization of cattle by wildtype Mannheimia haemolytica and its isogenic mutants, aiming to understand bacterial bovine respiratory disease and explore antibiotic alternatives. Key requirements for the 15 Holstein or Holstein/Cross calves include:
- Health: BVD-negative (antibody and antigen), Mycoplasma bovis negative, colostrum deprived (no milk replacer for first 48 hours), dewormed, free of ring-worm, no clinical illness, sound legs and good eyes.
- Age: 7-8 weeks old.
- Housing: Must have been housed individually.
- Sourcing: From a farm within 100 miles of Ames, Iowa.
- Transportation: Transported directly to NADC with no other animals in the trailer.
- Documentation: Certificate of Veterinary Inspection required. Pre-purchase blood work may be requested.
- Quantity Assurance: Vendors may need to obtain more than 15 animals to ensure 15 meet all specifications.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order.
- Delivery: Mid-April to Mid-May 2026, with a final deadline of May 15, 2026, to USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010. Early deliveries are accepted.
- Questions Due: March 5, 2026, 5:00 PM CST.
- Quotations Due: March 17, 2026, 5:00 PM CST (22:00:00Z).
- Published Date: March 16, 2026.
Eligibility & Evaluation
This is an unrestricted requirement. The government is aware of only one contractor capable of providing the required calves and intends to award a sole-source purchase order. However, all responses from responsible vendors with active SAM registrations will be accepted and considered for award.
- NAICS: 112111 (Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming) with a $2.5 Million small business size standard.
- Evaluation: Quotes will be evaluated on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis. Technical capability will be assessed as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on meeting salient characteristics, identification of product, descriptive literature, and delivery within the timeframe. Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days.
Additional Notes
The full text of provisions and clauses can be accessed at www.acquisition.gov. Questions should be submitted via email to kerrie.hodges@usda.gov.