Robotic Milking System

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service is soliciting quotations for the procurement of a robotic milking system to support research and operational efficiency at its National Animal Disease Center dairy facility. The system must be capable of milking at least 60 cows daily with free cow traffic and must include advanced technological features such as 3D camera and laser guidance for teat location, real-time health monitoring, milk quality analysis capabilities, and automated teat cup retraction. The contractor must also provide trained technical staff capable of system repairs within three hours of the facility and deliver the system onsite within 60 days of award. Evaluation will employ a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology, considering price, past performance, and technical acceptability in sequential order, with award made to the lowest priced offer that meets acceptable technical and past performance standards. Questions must be submitted via email to lynn.hults@usda.gov by March 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time, with quotations due on the same date.

This is an unrestricted acquisition with no set-aside designations, open to all responsible sources meeting the requirements. No incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation documents. While a specific budget or award value is not stated, the Statement of Work notes the system is projected to generate approximately $54,600 in annual labor cost savings and an estimated $1,092,007 in savings over the system's 20-year lifespan, providing context for the investment justification. The contractor must deliver the robotic milking system within 90 days of award on an F.O.B. destination basis to 1920 Dayton Ave, Ames, IA 50010, with offers required to remain firm for 90 calendar days from receipt. The procurement is classified under NAICS code 333111 (Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees.