15 Holstein or Holstein Cross Calves

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for 15 Holstein or Holstein/Cross calves, including lab fees and delivery, to Ames, Iowa. The government intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• 15 Holstein or Holstein/Cross calves meeting the specifications in "Attachment 2 – Statement of Requirements".

• Delivery to Ames, Iowa by 5/15/2026. Early deliveries are accepted.

• Anticipated award type: Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Quotes will be evaluated on a lowest price technically acceptable basis.

• Technical capability will be evaluated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on meeting salient characteristics, identification of product meeting requirements, inclusion of descriptive literature, and availability for delivery within the timeframe.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt date.

• Questions are due by March 5, 2026, 5:00 PM CST via email to kerrie.hodges@usda.gov.

• The government is aware of only one contractor capable of providing the animals, suggesting a potential sole-source award. However, all responses from responsible vendors with active SAM registrations will be accepted and considered.

• Offerors must meet qualification requirements, obtainable via SAM.gov registration.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses by reference, including those related to commercial products and services, contractor employee rights, and payment terms.

• The USDA Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) process for filing agency protests is detailed.

Statement of Requirement (SOW)

To evaluate the nasopharyngeal colonization of a wildtype Mannheimia haemolytica and seven isogenic mutants in cattle, and to determine the role of specific Mannheimia regions in colonization, including its effect during concurrent virus infection.

This document outlines the requirements for the purchase of 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves for a research project. The project aims to understand bacterial bovine respiratory disease and explore alternatives to antibiotic use.

• Purchase of 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves.

• Calves must meet specific health and age criteria:

  • BVD-negative (antibody and antigen)
  • Mycoplasma bovis negative
  • Colostrum Deprived
  • No milk replacer for the first 48 hours
  • Housed individually
  • Dewormed
  • Free of ring-worm
  • Sound of foot and body
  • 7-8 weeks old
  • Available for delivery Mid-April to Mid-May 2026
  • Transported directly to NADC with no other animals in the trailer.
  • Comparable size across the group.
  • Certificate of Veterinary Inspection required.
  • No signs of clinical illness.
  • Sound legs and good eyes.
  • Sourced from a farm within 100 miles of Ames.

• Pre-purchase blood work may be requested.

• Communication with the vendor is required from solicitation to animal arrival.

• The vendor may need to obtain more than 15 animals to ensure 15 meet specifications.

• Delivery Window: Mid-April to Mid-May 2026

• Delivery Location: USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010

N/A

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold for the procurement of 15 Holstein or Holstein cross calves for research. The acquisition is being conducted by the MWA National Animal Disease Center.

• 15 Holstein or Holstein cross calves

• Calves must be BVD negative (antibody and antigen), mycoplasma bovis negative, and colostrum deprived.

• No milk replacer for the first 48 hours.

• Calves must be housed individually, dewormed, and free of ringworm.

• Must be of sound foot and body.

• Age: 7-8 weeks old.

• Location: Within 100 miles of Ames, Iowa.

• Pre-purchase blood work will be requested.

• The document does not specify contract type, period of performance, or estimated value.

• This document outlines a decision to restrict competition, identifying Superior Livestock, Inc. as the suggested source.

• Market research included a sources sought notice posted on SAM.gov (1/2/2026 – 1/16/2026) with no responses.

• A search of previous awards revealed Superior Livestock, Inc. as the sole source of Holstein calf awards in the last 9 years.

• An internet search for other Holstein breeders near Ames did not identify any that meet the specific age and research requirements.

• This is a sole-source justification, indicating a restriction on competition.

• The document includes certifications from Technical/Requirements Personnel, Contract Specialist, and Contracting Officer.

• The Identification Number is 1232SA26Q0035.

• Requisition Number: 1162033.

Statement of Requirement (SOW)

To evaluate the nasopharyngeal colonization of a wildtype Mannheimia haemolytica and seven isogenic mutants in cattle, and to determine the role of specific gene region inactivations on colonization, including during concurrent virus infection.

This document outlines the requirements for the purchase of 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves for research purposes.

• Number of Calves: 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves.

• Health Status:

  • BVD-negative for antibody and antigen.
  • Mycoplasma bovis negative.
  • Must be dewormed.
  • Must be free of ring-worm.
  • Must demonstrate no signs of clinical illness.
  • Must have sound legs and good eyes.

• Age: 7-8 weeks old.

• Dietary Restrictions: Colostrum deprived; no milk replacer for the first 48 hours.

• Housing: Housed individually.

• Availability: Must be available for delivery Mid-March to Mid-April 2026.

• Transportation: Animals must be transported directly to NADC with no other animals in the trailer. Sourced from a farm within 100 miles of Ames.

• Group Size: Vendor may need to obtain a group larger than 12 to ensure 12 animals meet specifications, allowing for replacements.

• Documentation: Certificate of Veterinary Inspection required on all animals. Pre-purchase blood work may be requested.

• Delivery Period: Mid-March to Mid-April 2026.

• Delivery Location: USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010.

• Communication regarding animal health status, blood work, housing, and feeding must be between the Animal Resources Unit in Ames and the vendor.

• The Animal Resources Unit and funding unit may exclude calves prior to arrival if they do not meet SOW requirements.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To evaluate the nasopharyngeal colonization of cattle by wildtype Mannheimia haemolytica and its isogenic mutants, and to determine the effect of specific region inactivation on colonization, particularly during concurrent virus infection.

This project requires the purchase of 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves. The primary focus is on evaluating bacterial colonization and the impact of specific bacterial features on this process.

• Purchase of 15 calves meeting specific health and age criteria.

• Calves must be BVD-negative (antibody and antigen), Mycoplasma bovis negative, and colostrum deprived.

• No milk replacer for the first 48 hours.

• Calves must be housed individually, dewormed, and free of ring-worm.

• Must be sound of foot and body, 7-8 weeks old.

• Available for delivery on or near January 2025.

• Animals must be transported directly to NADC with no other animals in the trailer.

• A group of 10 calves of comparable size and breed is required.

• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection required.

• Calves must demonstrate no signs of clinical illness, have sound legs, and good eyes.

• Calves must be sourced from a farm within 100 miles of Ames.

• Pre-purchase blood work may be requested to check for BRSV and Mycoplasma titer levels.

• Communication regarding animal health status, pre-purchase results, housing, and feeding must occur between the vendor and Animal Resources Unit.

• The Animal Resources Unit and funding unit may exclude calves prior to arrival if they do not meet SOW requirements.

• Vendors may need to obtain more than 12 animals to ensure 12 meet specifications.

• Delivery expected on or near January 2025.

• Delivery Location: USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010.

• Pre-purchase blood work may be required.

• Specific communication protocols must be followed.

• Government Furnished: N/A