Paddle blender/ribbon blender for the USDA, ARS in Fort Pierce, FL

The USDA Agricultural Research Service intends to solicit a paddle blender/ribbon mixer for the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida, under solicitation 1232SA26Q0876, issued as a Request for Quotation with a response deadline of September 18, 2026. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside; the small business size standard is 500 employees.

The government seeks one unit of a 3-horsepower, 230-volt, 60-hertz ribbon blender with 1,000-pound capacity and minimum 50-gallon operating capacity. All wetted parts, interior finish, and exterior finish must be stainless steel type 304. The discharge valve must be a manually operated stainless steel type 304 knife gate valve with minimum 4-inch diameter, FDA-compliant urethane seal, and silicone O-ring backing. The agitator must operate at minimum 50 rotations per minute at 60 hertz. The trough may not exceed 20 inches in width and 40 inches in length; overall dimensions may not exceed 75 inches in width and 40 inches in length. The equipment must include keypad star/stop control, speed control with display, and scrolling digital display for amperage, percentage of load, and other values. All shaft guards must be OSHA-compliant carbon steel painted; the cover gasket must be FDA-compliant dust reduction.

Delivery is required within 120 days of order receipt to the Fish Nutrition Lab at 5600 US-1, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, on an F.O.B. Destination basis. Award will be firm fixed price to a single vendor. Evaluation uses Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable methodology. Offerors must submit a Certificate of Conformance per FAR 52.246-15 with original equipment manufacturer or authorized distributor traceability documentation; all parts must be new and approved. Questions close September 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.