Cow Lactation and Dry Premix Feed

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Dairy Trace Mineral" product and related delivery requirements for the opportunity.

• Ingredient Formulation: The "Dairy Trace Mineral" product does not have a readily available formulation sheet. It is a proprietary blend meeting USDA specifications. Bidders may need to evaluate commercially available products or develop a specific formulation with a dairy nutritionist.
• Delivery Method: Delivery of bulk trailers requires an auger truck to unload into a 12-ton capacity vertical feed bin.
• Dairy Trace Material Components: The current "Dairy Trace Material" includes Zinc sulfate, Manganese sulfate, Selisseo 3%, Copper chloride, Iodine 9.2%, and Cobalt carbonate.
• Animal Numbers: Daily animal feeding numbers fluctuate, with current estimates of 6 lactating cattle (typical range 20-35) and 70 dry cattle (typical range 50-100).
• Typical Tonnage/Load Size: Typical requests are for Cow Lactation Premix (10 tons per order) and Dry Cattle Premix (5 tons per order), though this may vary by +/- 2 tons.
• Sourcing: Contractors should source the "Dairy Trace Mineral" commercially.
• Ingredient Equivalents: Equivalent ingredient concentrations (e.g., Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3) are permissible if the final ration meets requirements and does not significantly alter the formulation. Proposed changes may require approval from the contracted Dairy Nutritionist.

This Q&A document clarifies product specifications, delivery logistics, and sourcing requirements, which may impact how bidders prepare their proposals and quotes. It also provides insight into potential flexibility regarding ingredient sourcing and formulation.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding the "Dairy Trace Material" for the opportunity.

• Dairy Trace Material Components: The current components include Zinc sulfate, Manganese sulfate, Selisseo 3%, Copper chloride, Iodine 9.2%, and Cobalt carbonate.
• Number of Animals: Current numbers are approximately 6 head of Lactating Cattle (range 20-35) and 70 head of Dry Cattle (range 50-100).
• Typical Tonnage/Load Size: Requests typically range up to 2 tons. Specific premixes are 10 tons per order for Cow Lactation Premix and 5 tons per order for Dry Cattle Premix.
• Sourcing: Contractors should source the material commercially based on the listed components; USDA does not specify an approved source/supplier.
• Ingredient Equivalency: Equivalent ingredient concentrations are permissible if the final ration meets requirements, but significant changes to the ration formulation require approval from the contracted Dairy Nutritionist.

This Q&A clarifies key aspects of the required materials, quantities, and sourcing, which may impact how bidders prepare their proposals.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides a clarification regarding the composition of the "Dairy Trace Material" for the opportunity.

• Dairy Trace Material Composition: The following components are currently included as part of the Dairy trace mineral:
  • Zinc sulfate
  • Manganese sulfate
  • Selisseo 3%
  • Copper chloride
  • Iodine 9.2%
  • Cobalt carbonate

This clarification provides specific details on the required components for the "Dairy Trace Material," which may impact bidder proposals and product offerings.

Amendment / Modification

This modification incorporates the mandatory contract clause FAR 52.222-90, "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors (Apr 2026)," as required by Executive Order 14398.

• FAR 52.222-90 is added.

• The period of performance and scope of work remain unchanged.

• All other terms and conditions are unchanged.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract for premixed cattle feeds, specifically Cow Lactation Premix and Dry Cattle Premix. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa, requires these feeds to support animal health and well-being for research, testing, and training purposes.

• Products: Cow Lactation Premix (125 Ton) and Dry Cattle Premix (30 Ton).

• Specifications: Detailed ingredient lists are provided for each premix. The ration must be thoroughly mixed, not pelleted or ground, and must not contain antibiotics, hormones, chemical growth promotants, animal products/by-products, or bactericides/bacteriostats/coccidiostats.

• Delivery: Within four (4) working days after receipt of a telephone or written order. Deliveries are to be made to USDA, NCAH, 1920 Dayton Ave, Ames, IA, during normal business hours (7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays). Deliveries must be in clean, closed vehicles not used for livestock transport.

• Quality: Only clean, high-quality ingredients are to be used. No substitutions or deviations from formulations are permitted without USDA approval.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price requirements contract.

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period, not to exceed 1 year total duration.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but pricing is required for all items.

• Offer Due Date: May 22, 2026, 1700 CDT.

• Evaluation: Quotes will be evaluated based on Technical Approach, Price, and Past Performance. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, using a comparative evaluation methodology. Formal tradeoff procedures will not be conducted.

• Pricing: Offerors must provide pricing for all individual line items. Failure to do so may result in exclusion.

• Period for Acceptance of Offers: Offerors agree to hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer due date.

• NAICS Code: 311119 (Other Animal Food Manufacturing)

• Size Standard: 650 employees.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

• Questions: Due no later than May 1, 2026, 12:00 PM CDT, via email to kerrie.hodges@usda.gov.

• Attachments: The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses and provisions by reference, including Attachment 1 - Statement of Work (SOW).