Automated soil sensor probe

Project ID: 1162064 FederalOpportunitiesSources Sought

Overview

Agency	Agricultural Research Service
Deadline	01/28/26
Posted	01/15/26
Estimated Value	Not Provided
Set Aside	None
NAICS	333111 - Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing
PSC	6630 - Chemical Analysis Instruments
Location	Mississippi State, MS 39762 United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

Summary

Sources Sought Notice for an instrument to measure soil carbon content in situ to a depth of at least 12 inches and geo-reference each data point. A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. This is not a solicitation announcement or request for proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA), has a requirement for an automated soil sensor probe with a UTV mounted skid, with the capability to measure soil carbon content in situ to a depth of at least 12 inches and the capability to geo-reference each data point. Please see the attached specification sheet for further details. NAICS: 333111 Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing; size standard 1,250 employees Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company's ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business.

Submission Instructions

Interested vendors are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought notice by 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to the attention of Katelyn Nelson, Contract Specialist, at Katelyn.Nelson@usda.gov . All questions shall be submitted to Katelyn.Nelson@usda.gov. Responses shall be no more than 10 pages and include the following information: - Organization Name; - Contact Name, e-mail address and phone number; - Organizations UEI number; - Business size status for the applicable NAICS code; - A statement of interest in any forthcoming acquisition. - A statement of capability to perform details of the requirement to include all requirements outlined in SOW. - Country of origin of product. Interested vendors are instructed to provide only the data requested. No proprietary classified confidential or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southeast Area (SEA) is conducting a market survey to identify qualified contractors for a proposed project involving an automated soil sensor probe. This initiative aims to measure soil carbon content in situ and geo-reference data points, supporting the agency's mission to enhance agricultural research and practices. The survey targets Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, Women-Owned, or Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors, although it does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by the Government. Work Details The contract requires the delivery of an automated soil sensor probe with a UTV mounted skid that meets the following specifications: - Capability to measure soil carbon content in situ to a depth of at least 12 inches. - Measurement of soil organic matter or total soil carbon from the surface to at least 12 inches depth. - Measurement of soil penetration resistance from the surface to at least 12 inches depth. - Measurement of bulk soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) from the surface to at least 12 inches depth. - Capability to determine soil dielectric permittivity for soil water content (low importance). - Data collection must occur instantaneously as the instrument travels across the field, collecting all four data types simultaneously. Each data point should be geo-referenced for high-resolution soil mapping. - Flexibility to mount on light to heavy-duty vehicles is required. - Additional capabilities include logging, downloading, processing, and transferring data to commercial software packages, with an option for real-time data visualization. The manufacturer must also provide reasonable support and training.

Contacts