Contamination, Sanitization Inspection, and Disinfection (CSI-D+) imaging system

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is soliciting handheld imaging systems, specifically SafetySpect Contamination, Sanitization Inspection, and Disinfection (CSI-D+) systems or equivalent equipment, to support artificial intelligence model development for detecting contamination in meat processing facilities. The Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory (EMFSL) in Beltsville, Maryland will procure these systems to enhance food safety protocols in cattle, swine, and poultry slaughter and processing operations. The required systems must include dual megapixel cameras (1.2 MP and 2.4 MP), a 7-inch display with 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution, embedded high-performance computing capabilities such as NVIDIA Jetson platforms, LIDAR and accelerometer sensors, dual-trigger LED illumination, USB-C and Wi-Fi connectivity, tripod mounting capability, and a rechargeable 29V 5Ah lithium-ion battery. Award will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable approach, with quotes required from at least three sources per Federal Acquisition Regulation 12.201-1(c)(2). Interested vendors must submit responses by 11:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time on Friday, May 1, 2026, via email to frank.palmer@usda.gov, including company capabilities (limited to 5 pages), UEI number, SAM registration validation, contact information, and relevant past work experience.

This is a total small business set-aside under NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a 1,000-employee size standard, restricting competition to certified small businesses. No incumbent contractor or award value has been identified in the pre-solicitation notice. All interested vendors must be registered in SAM.gov and complete electronic representations and certifications per FAR 4.12 to be considered for evaluation. The anticipated contract award date is May 2026, providing a compressed timeline from the May 1 response deadline. Specific quantity information is not detailed in the notice, though the procurement is intended to support artificial intelligence development activities at the EMFSL facility. Potential bidders should note that technical acceptability will be a prerequisite threshold before price evaluation occurs under the lowest price technically acceptable evaluation methodology.