Temperature-controlled freight courier services

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service seeks temperature-controlled freight courier services under a firm-fixed-price IDIQ contract with proposals due July 31, 2026 and questions due July 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside restricted to concerns with no more than 1,500 employees. Amendment 0001, effective July 22, 2026, extended the due date from July 21 to July 31.

Place of performance includes three Texas airports—Houston Hobby (HOU), McAllen International (MFE), and San Antonio International (SAT)—with deliveries to Moore Air Force Base, Texas. Contract performance runs August 17, 2026 through August 16, 2031 (five one-year ordering periods). The NAICS code is 492110, Couriers and Express Delivery Services; PSC is R602, Courier/Messenger.

The acquisition requires on-demand pickup and same-day expedited transport of biological specimens and temperature-controlled materials in three thermal bands: refrigerated (2–8°C), frozen (–20°C or colder), and ambient (15–25°C). Core requirements include comprehensive chain-of-custody documentation compliant with DOT Hazardous Material Regulations, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and OSHA standards for Category B materials; real-time GPS tracking and proof-of-delivery documentation; incident response procedures with reporting within 1 hour; 24/7 surge capacity during disease outbreaks; and licensed U.S.-based customs brokerage services for sterile pupae importation from Panama. Services operate Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, excluding Federal Holidays, unless emergency services are required. All personnel must be U.S.-based, pass background checks, and obtain required Federal, TSA, and facility access credentials. Key personnel include a Program Manager with federal logistics experience, a Transportation/Logistics Coordinator, drivers holding valid commercial licenses trained in cold-chain procedures, and a Quality Assurance/Compliance Specialist.

Minimum order threshold is $350; maximum orders are $5,000 for single items and $10,000 for item combinations. Five-year contract ceiling is $700,000 per ordering period. Performance metrics establish 100% on-time pickup, 100% temperature compliance, 95% on-time delivery rate, and 100% accurate chain-of-custody records, with stated deductions for deviations. Evaluation prioritizes technical approach as the primary factor, assessing offerors' understanding of on-demand pickup, temperature control, chain-of-custody management, regulatory compliance, GPS tracking, incident response, surge operations, and quality assurance. Award will be made to the highest technically rated offeror provided pricing is fair and reasonable and past performance is acceptable or neutral; award will not necessarily go to the lowest-priced offeror.

Quotations must be submitted electronically to Cody.Grey@usda.gov and must conform to attached performance work statement and pricing schedule; nonconforming offers will be deemed nonresponsive. Service Contract Act prevailing wage rates apply in Hidalgo County, Texas (Wage Determination 2015-5245, Revision 29, effective May 13, 2026).