How to bid on a 3-Row Sugarcane Cultivator for USDA Agriculture

What the agency is buying

The USDA Agricultural Research Service in Houma, Louisiana, needs to purchase one 3-row sugarcane cultivator. This equipment is essential for maintaining field research plots at the Ardoyne Research Farm, specifically for weed control and ensuring proper field drainage. The current unit is old and costly to repair, prompting the need for a replacement.

The cultivator must meet specific requirements, including a 4”x 8”x 3/8” wall main tool bar, six 4-disc gangs with 22” x 1/4” notch discs, six 2-disc off-bar gangs, dirt shields, and middle busting plows. It needs to be set up for three rows with 70” row spacing or a customer's choice. Delivery is required within 90 days after the award.

Key dates and deadlines

This solicitation, 123A9426Q0043, was published on September 08, 2026. The deadline for submitting your quotation is September 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. All quotations must be submitted by this time to be considered by the agency.

Who this opportunity suits

This is a total small business set-aside opportunity. It is suitable for firms that manufacture or supply agricultural machinery, specifically cultivators, and meet the small business size standard for NAICS code 333111, which is 1,250 employees. Companies with experience providing specialized farm equipment to government agencies would be well-suited.

How to respond

To access the solicitation documents, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account to view all documents, though this is not always required.

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ), and your response should directly address the detailed specifications provided in the solicitation. Ensure your quotation clearly outlines how your proposed 3-row sugarcane cultivator meets all the listed requirements.

Tips for a competitive response

Carefully review all specifications, especially those highlighted in yellow in Amendment 0001, as these indicate revisions. Ensure your proposed cultivator precisely matches or exceeds every minimum requirement for the main tool bar, disc gangs, plows, shields, and row spacing.

Pay close attention to the delivery timeframe, which is 90 days after award. Confirm your ability to meet this schedule. Since this is an RFQ, a clear and concise quotation that directly addresses each requirement without extraneous information will be most effective. Double-check that all Grade 8 bolts, nuts, and washers are specified, as well as re-lube bearings and specific disc dimensions.