Final RFI_USDA ARS Animal Care BPA.docx

Animal Care Support Services BPA - Request for Information (RFI)

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service

09/25/2025

Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice (SSN)

NAICS- 541940

PSC- R4916

1. Introduction The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) wishes to conduct a Request for Information (RFI) that will serve as market research on establishing a solicitation for contractor support for a multiple award, nationwide, firm-fixed-price Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Animal Care Support Services.

2. Description THIS IS AN RFI/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (SSN) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for market research information and planning purposes – it neither constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor a promise by the Government to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.

Further, ARS is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential offeror(s) to monitor this site for additional amendments and information pertaining to this requirement.

3. Background United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science and efficient management.

USDA expands economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; promotes agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and preserves and conserves our Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

USDA is comprised of Departmental Management (DM) offices, Mission Areas (MA) and Agencies with employees located throughout the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside CONUS (OCONUS).

The ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. ARS’s job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. Here are a few numbers to illustrate the scope of the ARS organization:

· 600 research projects within 15 National Programs

· 2,000 scientists and post docs

· 5,000 other employees

· 95 research locations

· $1.7 billion fiscal year budget More information about ARS to include its mission, vision, and core values can be found here-https://www.ars.usda.gov/about-ars/

4. Purpose and Objective(s)

The purpose of this non-personal services requirement is to provide Mission Areas and Agencies within the USDA/ARS with Animal Care Support Services as follows across its more than 100 locations (identified here- https://www.ars.usda.gov/people-locations/find-a-location/ ):

· The contractor shall provide animal care services in support of ARS locations and facilities. These services include but are not limited to providing food, water, cleaning of cages/spaces and basic care of the animals based on instructions, regulations, Standard Operating Procedures and instructions from staff veterinarians.

· The contractor shall also provide documentation of all required records including but not limited to food consumed and refused, weight, birth date including condition at birth and parentage, mortality date, general conditions, etc.

· Routinely observes animals for appearance and activity and signs of illness, disease, discontent behavior, and/or refusal of feed. This also includes observations concerning normal exercise and movement, rate of growth, weight change, appetite, feces, skin lesions, and discolored or rough fur or skin as a sign of internal parasites or improper diet. Initiates routine care according to available guidance.

· The work includes interacting with the following types of animals; mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, bison, cattle, chickens, elk, equine, ferret, fish geese, goats, guinea pigs, hamsters, sheep, sine, turkey, white-tail deer; research technical support, routine maintenance of animal care equipment; logistical and clerical support.

· The work can include performs minor veterinary procedures such as wound cleaning and flushing, bandaging, microchipping, ear tagging, nail/hoof/claw trims, and others, as well as assisting with necropsy with tissue collection.

· General description of the functions for this requirement includes:

· animal care and technical support,

· cage and environmental sanitation,

· routine maintenance of animal care equipment and supplies,

· property, animal census tracking, data entry, and management,

· personnel, animal, and equipment transportation, and

· supervision and management of contractor staff.

It is requested that interested businesses respond to the Request for Information Form provided in this notice in order to demonstrate the ability to perform the requirements described. An overview for this requirement can be found in the attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

5. List of Attachment(s):

DRAFT Animal Care Performance Work Statement

6. RFI Response Submission Instructions

Companies/organizations who wish to respond to this RFI should submit responses electronically, via the link below no later than 5:00 PM PT on October 10, 2025. Vendors are invited to complete the following form located at https://forms.office.com/g/W8RQPu1PB7

You can also access the form by scanning the QR Code below:

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