Temperature-controlled freight courier services
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, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought notice to identify qualified small businesses capable of providing temperature-controlled freight courier services. The requirement involves transporting temperature-sensitive materials from Houston, TX, and McAllen Airport to Edinburg, Texas. This effort supports the USDA National Veterinary Stockpile's rapid response to animal disease outbreaks. Responses are due by May 21, 2026.
Scope of Work
The services require reliable transport of temperature-sensitive materials, ensuring their integrity and usability upon arrival. Key aspects include:
- Providing personnel, equipment, transportation, and supervision for temperature-controlled cooler shipments.
- Ensuring safe, secure, and continuous temperature control throughout transit.
- Complying with all applicable federal, state, and local transportation regulations (DOT, TSA, FDA).
- Key deliverables include a proposed project plan, shipment pickup confirmation, GPS tracking access, continuous temperature monitoring logs, digital chain-of-custody records, proof of delivery, incident reports, capacity/load reports, and weekly status reports.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- NAICS Code: 492110 (Courier And Messenger Services) with a 1,500 employee small business size standard.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- Response Due: May 21, 2026, by 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
- Published Date: May 13, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Originating in Houston, TX or McAllen Airport, delivering to Edinburg, Texas.
Submission Requirements
Interested small business concerns must provide:
- Small business name and point of contact.
- DUNS number and CAGE code.
- Evidence of small business concern status.
- A brief Statement of Capability (no more than three pages) demonstrating the ability to meet specialized work requirements, including past performance information on similar contracts (size and scope), degree of work self-performed, and past performance references (names and phone numbers). Electronic responses are preferred.
Additional Notes
This is solely for market research to determine interested small business concerns and is not a request for proposals. The Government will not award a contract based on this notice or reimburse participants for information provided. Information submitted will not be used as part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established.