Cattle Feed (Protein Pellets/Cubes)

Solicitation 1232SA26Q0053 is a total small business set-aside request for quotation issued by the USDA Agricultural Research Service for the procurement of protein pellets and cubes to support livestock research at the Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory in Miles City, Montana. The requirement consists of two tasks: the delivery of 125 tons of 3/4 inch pellets and 14 tons of 3/8 inch pellets between January and May 2026. The pellets must average 20 percent crude protein, be composed of alfalfa, barley, corn, peas, canola, and wheat, and contain no added vitamins or minerals. To ensure research consistency, the government prefers both pellet sizes to be sourced from the same manufacturer. The contract will be awarded as a firm-fixed price requirements contract based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria, evaluating price, technical acceptability, and past performance. Deliveries are F.O.B. destination and must be made via semi-load or 1 ton bulk bags, with a requirement for auger trucks for unloading into storage bins. Contractors must provide state certified weight tickets and notify the Contracting Officer Representative three workdays prior to delivery. Additionally, pellets must not be hot at the time of delivery to prevent degradation. Proposals must be submitted electronically to the contract specialist, including a technical package and a separate pricing volume.