AIN RFID Cattle Tags for the Animal Disease Traceability Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services established a master Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Animal Identification Number (AIN) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cattle tags to support the Animal Disease Traceability Program. The contract vehicle is designed to procure RFID button ear tags that enable livestock identification and movement tracking, with the primary goal of quickly detecting and containing potential animal disease outbreaks. These high-density, half duplex (HDX), low frequency 840 MHz RFID tags are used to uniquely identify and trace cattle across interstate movements, supporting the USDA's national animal health monitoring and response capabilities.

The IDIQ contract has been primarily awarded to three prime contractors: Allflex USA, Inc., Datamars Inc., and Y-Tex Corporation. Delivery orders under this vehicle have ranged from approximately $126,750 to $5,145,000, with performance periods typically spanning 3-12 months and ultimate completion dates extending through October 2024. Task orders consistently involve the production and delivery of white and orange colored RFID button ear tags, with no specific small business set-aside designations applied. The primary places of performance include facilities in Temple, Texas (Datamars), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Texas (Allflex), and Cody, Wyoming (Y-Tex). Each delivery order supports APHIS Veterinary Services' ongoing efforts to enhance livestock traceability through advanced identification technologies.