Laboratory Animal Feed - Base+4 IDIQ - Ames IA
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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is soliciting proposals for a Firm Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide Laboratory Animal Feed for its facility in Ames, Iowa. This opportunity, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) 1232SA26Q0292, anticipates a single award for a base year and four option years. Quotations are due March 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM CST.
Scope of Work
The contractor shall supply various types of fresh, clean, high-quality laboratory animal feed to support animal health and well-being at the USDA-NADC Animal Resources Unit in Ames, Iowa. Key feed types include:
- Dry Feed (Soy Protein Free) for Mice, Rat, Hamster: Oval pellet, 30-40# bags, min. 18.5% crude protein, min. 6.0% crude fat. Equivalent to INOTIV TEKLAD GLOBAL 2020X.
- Dry High Fiber Feed for Rabbits: Pellets, 30-40# bags, min. 14.5% crude protein, min. 2.0% crude fat. Equivalent to INOTIV TEKLAD GLOBAL 2031.
- Dry High Fiber Feed for Guinea Pig: Pellets, 30-40# bags, min. 17.5% crude protein, min. 4.0% crude fat, with stabilized Vitamin C. Equivalent to INOTIV TEKLAD GLOBAL 2041.
- Extruded Rodent Diet – Irradiated: Oval pellet, 10kg bags, min. 19% crude protein, min. 9% crude fat. Equivalent to INOTIV TEKLAD IRRADIATED GLOBAL 2919. All feed must be free of hormones, antibiotics, and growth stimulants, and have at least 9 months shelf life. Deliveries are required within five working days of order, to 1920 Dayton Avenue, Building 24, Ames, IA, during normal business hours (7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. CST, Mon-Fri), using clean, closed vehicles and palletized.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm Fixed-Price IDIQ
- Duration: One (1) base year and four (4) one-year option periods (total 5 years)
- Set-Aside: Not specified (All responsible sources may submit)
- NAICS: 311119 (Other Animal Food Manufacturing)
- Product Service Code: 8710 (Forage And Feed)
- Response Due: March 11, 2026, 1:00 PM CST
- Published: March 4, 2026
Evaluation Criteria
Quotations will be evaluated based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria. The lowest priced quotation will be assessed for Technical Acceptability. Key factors include:
- Technical Acceptability: Offerors must demonstrate capability to meet all specified requirements.
- Past Performance: Evaluated as "Acceptable," "Neutral," or "Unacceptable" based on CPARS and other sources from the last three years.
- Price: Offerors must provide complete pricing for all Contract Line Items (CLINs) as requested in "Attachment 3 Schedule and Transmittal Summary." Failure to price individual line items may result in exclusion.
Submission Requirements
Offerors must complete "Attachment 3 Schedule and Transmittal Summary," providing business entity details, affirmations (e.g., active SAM.gov registration, FOB Destination, IPP invoicing, domestic end product certification), and detailed Firm Fixed Price pricing for all CLINs across the base and all option periods. Quotations must be valid for at least 30 days from the solicitation close. Inquiries must be submitted via email to the primary contact.