127EAY25Q0010 Wild Horse Feed Questions and Answers.pdf

127EAY25Q0010 Wild Horse Feed Questions and Answers

Q1: Please confirm the email.

A1: Quotes should be sent to kari.hughes@usda.gov. Please ensure you receive a response noting the quote was received.

Q2: For the solicitation, can the delivery be made all at once?

A2: No, as our barn isn't large enough for the requested quantity of hay:

Delivery: Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals @ 1430 County Road 74 Alturas, Ca 96101.

All deliveries shall be coordinated with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Charlene Johnston. The COR is responsible with coordinating with the contractor monthly the specified needs of each delivery. Deliveries shall be monthly and incremental unless specified differently by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Vendor is responsible for delivering, unloading and stacking the hay. The hay will be unloaded and stacked on a solid surface in the hay barn at Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals. The vendor is expected to bring adequate equipment to complete the unloading and stacking of the hay in a safe and organized manner. Stacks that are uneven and/or leaning will be re-stacked by the vendor at no additional charge.

To determine quantity each load shall be accompanied by certified weight slip, empty and loaded.

Deliveries can be made 7 days a week, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Initial delivery shall begin later than February 1st, 2025 and continue at least monthly until the total tonnage has been delivered.

The government reserved the right to change Delivery schedule depending number of horses and storage capacity at the corrals and/or if agreed to by all parties.

Q3: and what kind of grass? Hey, were you looking for is rye ok

A3: Acceptable varieties of Grass Hay include, Meadow, Blue, Timothy, Orchard, Coastal and Bermuda. Triticale or wheat hay is NOT acceptable.

Q4: The alfalfa hay is it OK for not to be certified?

A4: The product does NOT need to be certified.

Q5: Is the delivery site accessible? We are concerned with our trucks needing to be towed due to inclement weather as they will be departing from Cottonwood, CA.

A5: Yes, from Highway 299E, County Roads 73 and 74 are paved to the corrals. During periods of snow, the roads are plowed regularly by Modoc County and CalFire (we have a CalFire station just up the road from the corrals).

Q6: Can you estimate how many tons of Meadow Hay & Alfalfa you would need each month up to the 600 and 85 ton count respectively?

mailto:kari.hughes@usda.gov

A6: We don’t have an estimate, as our numbers are constantly changing, as we place horses into private care and receive more from gathers throughout the year. We currently have over 600 horses in facility.

Q7: How soon each month would you be providing the delivery amounts?

A7: As soon as possible, based on the period of performance.

Q8: So would you tell us when to deliver the product and how many deliveries are needed?

A8: The Statement of Work describes the deliveries as follows:

Delivery: Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals @ 1430 County Road 74 Alturas, Ca 96101.

All deliveries shall be coordinated with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Charlene Johnston. The COR is responsible with coordinating with the contractor monthly the specified needs of each delivery. Deliveries shall be monthly and incremental unless specified differently by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Q9: Are all deliveries of equal quantity of grass hay and alfalfa?

A9: No, as the request tonnage of each product is different (600 Tons Grass Hay and 85 Ton Alfalfa).

Q10: Is there a preference for first cut or second cut hay?

A10: No, as long as; Hay and Alfalfa will be suitable for feeding to wild horses and burros will be well cured, of dust, mold, foreign material, thistle or Prickly herb, "cheat" grass, foxtails, corn stalk, bearded grain and other awns (spikelet's) or any other weed or grass not considered healthy forage for horses. Hay and Alfalfa be free of Blister Beetles and any other species (plant or animal) known to cause illness and death to livestock and horses. Blister beetles are black, elongated insects that are attracted to and feed on the flowers, pollen and leaves of blooming alfalfa and weeds.

Developing beetles feed on grasshopper eggs, so blister beetles are often found in alfalfa. Adult blister beetles are long, narrow beetles (0.5 to 1.25 inches long) with a broad head and antennae that are straight and about one third their total body length. Several species exist, including black, ash gray or striped beetles, each having unique color patterns. Poisoning from blister beetles:

Blister beetles naturally produce a compound called cantharidin. The level of cantharidin produced is highly variable and released when the beetle is crushed during hay making. Cantharidin remains toxic in dead beetles and the level of toxin does not decrease during hay storage and can be fatal to horses. Hay less than 6” inches in length and re-baled hay is not acceptable. Product does not need to be certified.

Q11: Can the alfalfa be alfalfa mix or should it be pure alfalfa?

A11: The products requested are 600 Tons Grass Hay and 85 Ton Alfalfa

Q12: How much of the total volume on 600/T HAY and 85/T ALFALFA will need to be delivered before the 2025 farming season (between 2/15/25 -7/1/25)?

A12: We don’t have an estimate, as our numbers are constantly changing, as we place horses into private care and receive more from gathers throughout the year. We currently have over 600 horses in facility.

Q13: Will deliveries include a portion of each product?

A13: Not always, as the request tonnage of each product is different (600 Tons Grass Hay and 85 Ton Alfalfa).

Q14: What date will these terms be set within Synopsis?

A14: The Terms and Conditions of this contract will be set upon award. Quotes are due 11 February 2025. Award will occur soon after 19 February 2025.

Q15: Will COR maintain knowledge of existing inventory levels to allow for projections on deliveries needed to assure quantities onsite at corral maintain a sustainable volume throughout the duration or will the Contractor have permissions to contact location intermittently to assure the site has volume needed?

A15: The COR works onsite at the Corrals, as the Corral Manager.

Q16: What is the maximum storage capacity on location at Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals @ 1430 County Road 74 Alturas, Ca 96101?

A16: Approximately 200-6 string bales. However, we always keep inventory on hand, so the requested delivery amount will vary.

Q17: Should deliveries be unloaded within the scope of delivery dates and times of 7 days a week, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m? or Are the delivery dates and times listed as 7 days a week, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. agreeable for the hay to arrive on location?

A17: Deliveries are acceptable 7 days a week, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We will not accept deliveries outside of the hours stated in the Statement of work.

Q18: Is there a preferred equipment type that should be mandated?

A18: The vendor is expected to bring adequate equipment to complete the unloading and stacking of the hay in a safe and organized manner. Stacks that are uneven and/or leaning will be re-stacked by the vendor at no additional charge.

Q19: Can this be 3 string bales or must it be 6 string bales?

A19: We prefer 6 string bales; however, 3 string bales will be considered. Please see the following excerpt from the Statement of Work on page 22 of the solicitation.

Approximate size of 6 string bale shall be 4 ft. W x 4 ft. H x 8 ft. L and approximate size of 3 string shall be 18 in. W x 18 in. H x 36 in. L. Round bales are not permissible. Bales shall be uniform lengths; ragged bales shall not be accepted. Bales with loose twine or broken bales will not be accepted.