Grain Drill

Pre-Solicitation Notice

This notice is a pre-solicitation announcement from the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) for a grain drill. It is not a Request for Quotes. The acquisition will be a total small business set aside under NAICS code 333111 (Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,250 employees.

• Grain Drill:

  • 15-foot working width, 3-point hitch mount (Cat 2 compatible), 7.5-inch row spacing.
  • Under 6000 lb empty weight.
  • Rear, high-grip walkboard (at least 17 inches wide).
  • Ground-driven or distance-driven, mechanical, electronic, or hydraulic drive compatible with unit-level flow monitoring.
  • Grain Box: Fluted metering wheel, adjustable cup size for cleanout, V-bottom for cleanout, at least 2 bu/foot capacity, seed level indicator, multiple gears for accurate seed flow, calibration in storage. Electronic (ISOBUS) adjustment preferred.
  • Grass/Small Seed Box: 0.2 bu/ft minimum capacity, adjustable feed cups, separate disengagement clutch.
  • Fertilizer Delivery: Separate box or divider, adjustable rate, disengagement clutch, 0.75 cu ft/ft minimum capacity.
  • Units: Capable of at least 150 lb adjustable down pressure (spring, hydraulic, or pneumatic), offset for residue flow, accessible from the rear without tools. Single disc or offset double disc openers with specific depth range and increments. Smooth seed tubes. Double disc openers require specific wheel types. Single disc openers require gauge wheels for accurate depth.
  • Condition: Used equipment must have at least 50% life remaining on wear parts, be in good working condition, with all pivot points, bearings, tires, hoses, hydraulics, and gaskets in good condition. New optional.
  • Dealer Support: Must have dealer support within 35 miles of Shelburne, Vermont.

• Coulter Caddy:

  • Width and spacing to match grain drill (15 ft working width, 7.5 inch openers).
  • At least two toolbars for offset attachments.
  • Pivot design to align attachments with unit openers.
  • Capable of carrying mounted tanks/hoppers.
  • Suitable for heavy soils, capable of penetrating at least 4 inches with at least 400 lb downforce per coulter.
  • Lift capacity for a full grain drill.
  • Condition: Used equipment must have at least 50% life remaining on wear parts, be in good working condition, with all pivot points, bearings, tires, hoses, hydraulics, and gaskets in good condition. New optional.
  • Dealer Support: Must have dealer support within 35 miles of Shelburne, Vermont.

• Anticipated award date: March 2026.

• Requirement will be awarded based on the lowest price technically acceptable.

• Interested contractors should respond via email to frank.palmer@usda.gov by 1:00 pm MST on Friday, January 30, 2026.

• Responses should include a synopsis of capabilities (limit 5 pages), UEI Number, Company Name, Company Address, Business size validated via SAM.gov, points of contact, and past work experience.

• Electronic files must be in Microsoft Office Word or PDF format and be UNCLASSIFIED.

• Total small business set aside.

• Vendors must be active and registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of submission and award.

• This is a pre-solicitation notice; no contract will be awarded as a result of this notice.

• The Government reserves the right to reject any input.

• No costs associated with preparation or submission of a response will be paid.

• Prospective contractors must complete electronic annual representations and certifications and be registered in SAM.gov.