Animal Food Manufacturing

NAICS 3111 Animal Food Manufacturing encompasses the production of specialized feed and nutritional products for various animal species, including livestock, research animals, and companion animals. These products range from pelleted cattle feed to laboratory rodent diets, scientifically formulated to meet specific nutritional requirements. Manufacturers in this category develop complex feed mixtures that incorporate proteins, minerals, vitamins, and other nutritional components tailored to different animal life stages, research needs, and agricultural purposes.

The federal contract awards under this NAICS code predominantly involve the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with contracts typically ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 annually. Most solicitations are set aside for small businesses with a size standard of 650 employees, and performance locations are frequently located in research facilities across states like Oklahoma, Idaho, Texas, and California. Contracts are generally structured as firm-fixed-price purchases or indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) agreements, with performance periods spanning from several months to five years. Frequent awardees include specialized animal nutrition companies and regional feed manufacturers capable of meeting precise scientific and agricultural specifications.

Recent federal contract opportunities include solicitations for specialized animal feed products supporting research, agricultural experiments, and veterinary operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sought items such as cattle feed pellets, yellow corn, barley straw, and custom animal feed for research livestock. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Veterans Affairs have requested brand-specific laboratory animal diets and bedding for research facilities. Delivery locations span multiple states, with most opportunities emphasizing precise nutritional specifications, brand-specific requirements, and the ability to maintain consistent feed compositions to support ongoing research and agricultural studies.