remove and replace conveyor system

The USDA AMS Cotton & Tobacco Program is conducting a sources sought notice to identify small business contractors capable of designing, manufacturing, and installing new conveyor systems at two classification facilities located in Abilene and Corpus Christi, Texas. The procuring agency is the Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services. Key contract requirements include a turnkey design and installation approach with full system commissioning by June 30, 2027, monthly status reporting beginning December 1, 2026, and comprehensive testing and acceptance procedures requiring 20 business days of performance evaluation by USDA personnel. Contractors must demonstrate significant experience with conveyor system installation and automation equipment, as detailed in the Statement of Work and supporting technical schematics. The current sources sought notice closes on May 5, 2026, after which USDA anticipates releasing the full solicitation as an RFQ based on market research findings and responses received.

This procurement is set aside exclusively for total small business concerns. No incumbent contractor information has been disclosed in the sources sought notice. While specific award values have not been published, the scope encompasses significant system specifications including approximately 30 containers-per-minute processing capacity, RFID tracking with 21 read/write heads per system, electronic scales with 0.1-gram resolution, and supporting infrastructure across both facilities. The contract requires a minimum 10-year maintenance and service program with on-site response capability within 24 hours of malfunction notification, along with pre-season tuning and post-season preventive maintenance. Interested small businesses should submit capability statements, relevant previous work experience, and expressions of interest to USDA by the May 5, 2026 deadline; responses should not include pricing as USDA is not requesting quotes at this preliminary stage.