15 Holstein or Holstein Cross Calves

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a

The document outlines a Statement of Requirement for a project focused on evaluating the nasopharyngeal colonization of Mannheimia haemolytica and its isogenic mutants in cattle. The objective is to understand the role of specific Mannheimia regions in high-level colonization and the effect during concurrent virus infection, addressing the costly issue of bacterial bovine respiratory disease in the US cattle industry. The project requires the purchase of 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves, aged 7-8 weeks, sourced from a farm within 100 miles of Ames, Iowa. The calves must meet strict health and housing criteria, including being BVD-negative, Mycoplasma bovis negative, colostrum-deprived, dewormed, and free of ringworm and clinical illness. Delivery is required between Mid-March to Mid-April 2026 to the USDA facility in Ames, IA. Communication regarding animal health and pre-purchase blood work will be maintained between the vendor and the Animal Resources Unit.

This Statement of Requirement outlines a research project to evaluate the nasopharyngeal colonization of wildtype Mannheimia haemolytica and seven isogenic mutants in cattle. The objective is to understand the role of specific Mannheimia regions in high-level colonization and the effect of concurrent virus infection, addressing bacterial bovine respiratory disease—a significant issue in the US cattle industry. The project requires the purchase of 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves, aged 7-8 weeks, that meet stringent health and sourcing criteria, including being BVD-negative, Mycoplasma bovis negative, colostrum deprived, and sourced from a farm within 100 miles of Ames, IA. Calves must be delivered to the USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, on or near January 2025. Communication regarding animal health and pre-purchase blood work will be maintained between the vendor and the Animal Resources Unit.

This government solicitation, 1232SA26Q0035, is an RFP from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 15 Holstein or Holstein/Cross calves, including lab fees and delivery to Ames, Iowa, by May 15, 2026. The government anticipates a Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order and intends to make a single award. Quotes will be evaluated based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria, meaning the lowest-priced offer will be assessed for technical acceptability first. Technical requirements for the calves are detailed in "Attachment 2 – Statement of Requirements." While the government acknowledges Superior Livestock Inc. as a sole-source provider, all responses from responsible vendors with active SAM registrations will be considered. The solicitation includes various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses, some incorporated by reference, covering topics such as contractor whistleblower rights, combating trafficking in persons, and payment by electronic funds transfer. A key AGAR clause outlines procedures for contract closeout based on unliquidated funds. Questions about the solicitation are due by March 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST. The USDA also outlines an Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) for resolving concerns within the agency, encouraging informal resolution before formal protests.

This Statement of Requirement outlines a project to study mucosal colonization of Mannheimia haemolytica and its isogenic mutants in cattle. The objective is to evaluate the colonization patterns of wildtype and seven mutant strains (capsular, sialic acid, filamentous hemagglutinin, leukotoxin, and three adhesin mutants) to understand their role in high-level colonization and the effect of concurrent virus infection. The background highlights bacterial bovine respiratory disease as a costly issue in the US cattle industry, with current control relying heavily on antibiotics and ineffective vaccines. Key bacterial features like capsule and sialic acid decoration contribute to immune evasion. The project requires the purchase of 15 Holstein or Holstein/cross calves, aged 7-8 weeks, that meet stringent health and sourcing criteria. These criteria include being BVD-negative, Mycoplasma bovis negative, colostrum-deprived, dewormed, ringworm-free, sound of foot and body, and sourced from a farm within 100 miles of Ames, IA. Calves must be delivered to NADC between Mid-April and Mid-May 2026, with a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The vendor may need to secure more than 15 calves to ensure all meet specifications. Pre-purchase blood work and extensive communication with the Animal Resources Unit are also required.