Automated soil sensor probe

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:

1. Organization Name;
2. Contact Name, e-mail address and phone number;
3. Organizations UEI number;
4. Business size status for the applicable NAICS code;
5. A statement of interest in any forthcoming acquisition.
6. A statement of capability to perform details of the requirement to include all requirements outlined in SOW.
7. 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).