AMS Designated Laboratory Meat Testing Services (ADL)
Updated
Solicitation from the Agricultural Marketing Service. Due Nov 20, 2026, 4:30 PM (UTC-5), 30 days left.
| Solicitation number | 12-1NTS-26-R-0002 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Agricultural Marketing Service |
| Office | USDA Ams 3J14 |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Testing Laboratories and Services (541380) |
| Product or service code | H389 |
| Posted | Oct 20, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 20, 2026, 4:30 PM (UTC-5) (30 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is issuing Solicitation 12?1NTS?26?R?0002 to obtain proposals from responsible, accredited analytical laboratories to perform microbiological and fat testing in support of AMS meat, poultry, egg, and aquatic product procurement programs. This requirement establishes AMS Designated Laboratories (ADLs) responsible for conducting all required microbiological and chemical analyses on samples submitted by AMS vendors, ensuring compliance with Federal Purchase Program Specifications (FPPS) and supporting food safety and quality verification efforts.
AMS intends to award an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) firm?fixed?price contract, consisting of a Base Period and up to four option periods, covering performance from April 1, 2027 through March 31, 2032. Offerors must be fully capable of meeting all technical, accreditation, reporting, and quality assurance requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) and must maintain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for all applicable microbiological and chemical test methods throughout the contract term.
Offerors are required to submit a complete proposal package in accordance with Section E of the solicitation, including all technical, management, past performance, and pricing components, as well as a properly completed and signed SF?1449. Offerors must ensure all requirements, instructions, and submission details—such as WBSCM electronic submission processes—are fully reviewed and followed.
Incomplete proposals may not be considered for award. Key expectations under this solicitation include: • Performance of all required microbiological and fat analyses using approved methods (FSIS MLG, AOAC, AOCS, or AMS?approved alternatives). • Comprehensive sample preparation, receipt, testing, reporting, and data management in accordance with AMS SOW requirements. • Timely reporting of results, including notification of presumptive or confirmed pathogen positives to AMS, FSIS, and vendors. • Secure handling and management of proprietary AMS data. • Full compliance with FAR, AGAR, and USDA?specific contract clauses incorporated into the solicitation.
Prospective offerors are strongly encouraged to read the entire solicitation package, including the SOW, exhibits, and all referenced clauses, to ensure a complete and conforming submission.
Contracting contact
- Daniel Moore · [email protected] · 202-205-2829
- Logan Mingo · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 541380, a business counts as small if it has no more than $19.0 million in average annual receipts (SBA size standard). This notice is not set aside, but the size decides your small business status on it. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Notice history
- Oct 13, 2026: Solicitation Due Nov 6, 2026, 4:30 PM (UTC-5)
Companies that win this kind of work
Federal contractors paid for testing laboratories and services work, who also hold USDA contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- Merrick & Company $37.7 million in this trade
- University Of California, Davis $8.4 million in this trade
- Azenta US Inc $7.3 million in this trade
- Purdue University $6.6 million in this trade
- ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. $6.5 million in this trade
About the buyer
The Department of Agriculture awarded $10.8 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Kiewit Infrastructure South Co, Tyson Foods Inc. and Perimeter Solutions LP. See what USDA is buying now.
Testing Laboratories and Services contracts right now
There are 43 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541380), 21 posted in the last 7 days; 65% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of the Army and Department of the Navy. Most of the work with a stated place is in Washington, Indiana and Texas. A notice in this trade gives a median of 15 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 31 days.
All open testing laboratories and services contracts
Coming up in this trade
Planned contracts from the agencies' procurement forecasts, often months before a solicitation. Plans can change.
Recent awards in this trade
- Idaho Department Of Fish Game $5,835 · Departmental Offices · Oct 20, 2026
- Force Inspection, LLC $2,315 · Department of the Army · Oct 23, 2025
From the award notices agencies publish.