Statement_of_Work_Alfalfa_chopping.doc

Statement of Work (SOW) Project: Alfalfa Chopping and Harvesting Services

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work:

The USDA-Dairy Forage Research Farm at Prairie du Sac, WI seeks alfalfa mowing, chopping, merging, and storage services for four separate cuttings on 230 acres.

2.0 Background:

Alfalfa is grown at the farm for silage. The cutting, chopping and storing of the alfalfa is labor intensive and requires specific farm equipment. The vendor needs to have experience with previous alfalfa harvesting to ensure that the fields and crops are not damaged. The farm has traditionally paid vendors for this service as we don’t have the personnel or equipment to perform the work ourselves. The vendor will need to coordinate specific days for the work with Paul Davis (608-640-7752) who is a University of Wisconsin employee. Paul will assess the field conditions to determine the best days for harvesting.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

Alfalfa chopping services for 4 cuttings. 1st crop 230 acres, 2nd crop 230 acres, 3rd crop 230 acres, 4th crop 230 acres. Operations needed for each cutting include discbine mowing, merging of windrows, 3 forage trucks, packing tractor, bagger for 4th crop and a self-propelled chopper for harvest. The vendor must supply their own diesel fuel for their equipment.

· Need Item 1st cut: 1st crop alfalfa 230 acres will be stored in an upright forage bunk. Mowing, chopping, merging and one large packing tractor needed for two days. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed for two days. Estimated date to cut is approximately May 31-June 7, 2019.

· Need Item 2nd cut: 2nd crop alfalfa 230 acres will be stored in two upright forage bunks, Mowing, chopping, merging and one large packing tractor needed for two days. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed for two days. Estimated date to cut will be approximately June 28-July 3, 2019.

· Need Item 3rd cut: 3rd crop alfalfa 230 acres will be stored in two upright forage bunks, Mowing, chopping, merging and one large packing tractor needed for two days. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed for two days. Estimated date to cut will be approximately July 29-August 2, 2019.

· Need Item 4th cut: 4th crop 230 acres alfalfa will be stored in one 12’ ag bag along south driveway. Mowing, chopping, merging and self-powered 12’ forage bagger will be needed. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed. One 12’ bag 500’ length will be needed. Estimated date to cut will be August 29-30, 2019.

· Exact cut dates will be determined at the time of contract award and will be coordinated with the Contractor by the location.

4.0 Government Furnished:

The work will take place on 230 acres of USDA-ARS land within the Badger property in Prairie du Sac. The US Dairy Forage Farm will provide and install oxygen-limiting plastics used to line the concrete forage bunkers prior to feed storage, and provide and install bunker covers.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule:

The specific schedule will be contingent on the weather and crop and field conditions. All loads of chopped alfalfa must be weighed on the farm weigh scale to determine the total amount of forage harvested. Weight recording sheets will be provided. Automatic digital weigh wagons can be used by the vendor to record weights.

Key Deliverables

Item Title

6.0 Travel:

Awarded vendor will need to travel to the USDA Dairy Forage Research Farm for the days it will take to harvest the alfalfa. The vendor must provide own diesel fuel to power their equipment.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel:

The vendor’s personnel who perform the harvesting must have previous experience harvesting alfalfa and must be trained and certified to use the farm equipment.

8.0 Security Requirements:

The vendor does not require a security clearance to complete the work. The vendor must check in and out each day with Paul Davis.

9.0 Data Rights:

N/A