Autonomous Robotic Mobile Platform (UGV) - Wooster, OH

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service is seeking an Autonomous Robotic Mobile Platform (UGV) through solicitation 1232SA26Q0525, with delivery required by June 1, 2026, at its facility in Wooster, Ohio. The platform must be capable of untethered off-road navigation with a minimum 24-inch ground clearance, a total width of no more than 45 inches, a four-wheel configuration, an 800-pound payload capacity, and a minimum two-hour operational runtime per battery charge. It will be used to collect agricultural data on plant inventory, size, shape, growth stage, health, and location. The solicitation is structured as a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procurement, where technical acceptability and past performance serve as pass/fail thresholds before price determines award. The contract is anticipated to be firm-fixed price, with no estimated value disclosed, and pricing must be submitted by offerors without a pre-defined CLIN structure. All technical specifications are detailed in Attachment 1 – Specifications, which governs inspection and acceptance criteria, with delivery terms defined as F.O.B. Destination. Compliance with a broad range of Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses is mandatory, covering cybersecurity, labor standards, environmental sustainability, and contractor conduct. Security requirements include safeguarding federal information systems, physical security measures, and prohibitions on affiliation with excluded entities. Contractor personnel must undergo personal identity verification, privacy training, and employment eligibility verification via E-Verify. The contract enforces anti-trafficking policies, Buy American provisions, sustainable product standards, and DEI compliance, including a prohibition on discrimination in diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Small business subcontracting is required under a plan that includes limitations on subcontracting and liquidated damages for noncompliance, with preference extended to HUBZone small businesses. Payment will be processed electronically via the Invoice Processing Platform, and all proposals must be submitted as a single document via email to the designated point of contact. The solicitation mandates the submission of the vendor’s Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, and while no specific socioeconomic certifications are required upfront, the award may involve set-asides for small businesses. No Contracting Officer’s Representative or Contracting Officer is named, but inquiries must be directed to Jennifer Busbea at jennifer.busbea@usda.gov.