Animal Feed

Sources Sought Notice

Animal Feed

Sources Sought #114228-SS

This is a Sources Sought notice Only.  This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.  This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ.

BACKGROUND: USDA BARC has current and ongoing need to contract with a contractor to supply animal feed and ingredients to be combined and fed to the BARC livestock population. This will enable USDA to meet our mission and goals of providing health and nutritious diets to the livestock animals.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall supply and deliver animal feed and/or feed ingredients to be fed or combined with the rations for the BARC livestock population.

•             All materials must meet or exceed specifications as shown on the attached Excel document titled "Price Schedule”, which includes 35 separately itemized products. If a brand name is shown for any item, equivalent products may be used that meet or exceed required specifications.

 •            Estimated Quantities and Estimated Delivery Frequency are specified in "Price Schedule”.

 •            See included Milk Cow, Dry Cow and Heifer mix sheets.  Percentage of ingredients in each feed mix (Milk Cow, Dry Cow and Heifer rations) can be modified based on the nutritional content of the forage. Any changes to feed mixes will be communicated with the vendor two weeks in advance.

•            All custom mixed diets provided by vendors must have a feed-through larvicide feed additive. (i.e. ClariFly) added to the mix during fly season (April - October).

 •            Weekly and/or Monthly delivery to BARC required.

 •            Orders will be placed a minimum 7 days prior to expected delivery, (7 days minimum notice).

  •           Deliveries must be made Monday through Friday between 7:00 am and 2:30 pm.

This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government.

Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.  

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources including any Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses. Please state if you are a large business or a small business according to the NAICS code listed in this Sources Sought.

All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response defines how it can specifically meet the specifications for the items requested.  Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.  After reviewing the responses received, a Combined Synopsis solicitation notice may be published on Sam.gov.

Submit ALL the Following in order to be a valid response to this Sources Sought Notice:

1. Capability Statement and/or product descriptions that demonstrate your ability to meet all of the specific requirements, including Company Contact Info.
2. SAM.gov Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number.
3. Identify if you are a Large business or a Small business with NACIS 311119.
4. Clearly identify maximum number of years, up to five, that you would be able to submit firm fixed pricing for a potential future solicitation. 

Original Point of Contact: All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by December 13, 2024, by 9:00 AM PDT/PST, the specified due date and time to be considered and must include all items requested above. 

Email responses to Elizabeth Wilson at Elizabeth.Wilson2@usda.gov.

Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.