Walk-In Environmental Chamber

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) is procuring one high-humidity walk-in plant growth and inoculation chamber through Request for Quotation (RFQ) 1232SA26Q0208. The equipment will be used to conduct plant pathogen infection experiments and must be a Percival Scientific MPR-912L1SW model or equivalent, with interior dimensions exceeding 50 square feet and exterior dimensions not exceeding 108" W x 144" D x 97" H. The chamber must maintain humidity at or above 80% relative humidity with lights on and approximately 95% RH with lights off, operate within a temperature range of 10 to 40°C, include integrated or compatible misting capabilities, and feature dimmable lighting capable of maintaining 1000 mmoles/m² /s at 6 inches with dimming adjustments in 1% increments from 10% to 100%. Evaluation will use lowest price technically acceptable criteria, with award made to the offeror representing the best value, considering technical acceptability, past performance, and price as primary evaluation factors. Questions must be submitted by February 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM Mountain Time to amber.sampson@usda.gov, and quotations are due by March 2, 2026, with offerors required to maintain 90-calendar-day price validity from the offer receipt date.

This acquisition is an unrestricted requirement with no set-aside for small business concerns, and all responsible sources may submit a quotation for consideration. No incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation documents. The contract will be awarded as a firm-fixed price award to a single contractor, though no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the available documentation. Delivery is expected by July 1, 2026, with installation and familiarization services to be completed by October 1, 2026, and the vendor is responsible for all associated travel costs for installation. The equipment will be delivered and installed at Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, with installation required during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, on an existing concrete pad with existing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC infrastructure already in place.