51 head of cattle (calves)
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 1232SA26Q0543
- Agency
-
Agricultural Research Service
Department of Agriculture
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 112111 Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming
- PSC
- 8820 Live Animals, Not Raised For Food
- Place of performance
- Kerrville, Texas 78028, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is soliciting quotations for the procurement of 51 head of research cattle (calves) through Request for Quotation (RFQ) 1232SA26Q0543. The required cattle must weigh 400-500 pounds per animal, be aged 6-24 months, and consist of steers and/or heifers with Hereford as the primary breed preference, followed by Black Angus or Charolais if Hereford quantities are insufficient; Brahman cattle and Brahman crosses are prohibited. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government based on two evaluation criteria: price (as determined by market report) and technical capability, with the Government reserving the right to select a superior technical solution even if not the lowest priced option. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by 1:00 p.m. ET on May 4, 2026, and quotations must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on May 6, 2026, submitted on company letterhead to Richard Hawthorne at Richard.hawthorne@usda.gov with the RFQ number in the subject line. The Government intends to make one award, requiring contractors to submit pricing for all 51 head to be considered responsive.
This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a small business size standard of $2.5 million under NAICS code 112111 (Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming). No incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation notice. The procurement requires that cattle and the host facility be sourced within a 60-mile radius of Kerrville, Texas, where the place of performance is located at the USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory. Prospective contractors must provide descriptive materials addressing minimum specifications, the physical address of the host facility, and a copy of the most recent verifiable market report to serve as the basis for price evaluation, with quotations valid for at least 60 days. Transportation from the host facility to the laboratory will be provided by the Government, and the Government reserves the right to conduct multiple inspection visits at the host facility until all 51 head are obtained.
Notice text
Description -
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.
Solicitation number 1232SA26Q0543 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 51 calves
This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard Code is 112111 The small business size standard is $2.5M This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the agency.
Technical Requirements:
- Quantity: 51 Head.
- Weight: 400–500 lbs per animal.
- Age: 6–24 months.
- Sex: Steers and/or Heifers (No bull calves).
- Breed Priority:
- Primary: Hereford.
- Secondary: Black Angus or Charolais (only if Hereford quantity is insufficient).
- Prohibited: No Brahman, Brahman cross, or Brahman influence.
- ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS LISTED IN THE ATTACHED SPECIFICATION SHEET
Award Type
The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation. Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.
Evaluation and Basis for Award
The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services
is not applicable to this solicitation. In lieu of this provision, quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203 based on the criteria listed below. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.
The Government will conduct a comparative evaluation of quotes to select the Contractor that is best suited to fulfill the requirement. The evaluation factors are: Price (market report) and Technical Capability. The Government reserves the right to select a quote that represents a superior technical solution, even if it is not the lowest priced.
Submission Requirements:
To be considered, provide a quote on company letterhead including:
- Vendor Details: SAM.gov UEI Number.
- Technical Documentation:
- Descriptive material and a "meets/does not meet" statement for the minimum specifications
- Physical Address of the Host Facility where animals will be inspected and loaded.
- Pricing: A copy of the most recent, verifiable Market Report (e.g., Weekly Livestock Auction Report) for the proposed Host Facility. This report will serve as the basis for the Government’s price evaluation.
- Validity: Quote must be valid for at least 60 days.
Offerors shall identify where the offered item meets or does not meet each of the Government's functional and performance minimum specifications listed herein.
Please ensure all email correspondence includes the solicitation number in the subject line. Emails without the RFQ number in the subject line may not be seen, read, and /or reviewed and therefore disqualified from consideration.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RFQ ARE DUE TO RICHARD HAWTHORNE at Richard.hawthorne@usda.gov, NO LATER THAN 1:00 p. m. ET, May 4th, 2026. Questions will only be accepted via email and WILL NOT be answered if received after this date/time.
QUOTES REGARDING THIS RFQ ARE DUE TO RICHARD HAWTHORNE at Richard.hawthorne@usda.gov , NO LATER THAN 5:00 p. m. ET, May 6th, 2026.
USDA Address:
USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory
2700 Fredericksburg Road
Kerrville, TX, 78028
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| RFQ 1232SA26Q0543.pdf |
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