SOW for Mud Lake Water Troughs Updated on May_31_2023.pdf

Statement of Work for Replacing and Relocating 3 Ritchie Water Troughs at the Mud Lake Facility

The government has a need for 3 existing Ritchie Water Troughs to be replaced with 3 new Government Owned Ritchie Water Troughs. New water troughs (Ritchie Cattle Master 1440) are automatic waterers, with heating elements and stainless-steel drinking troughs.

All 3 troughs will need to be relocated approximately 60’ down the fence line from the current troughs and mounted on a cement pad. Each trough will have a power disconnect, control switch and electrical outlet mounted on a post beside the float end of the trough.

All the work is located at USDA-ARS, Mud Lake Feedlot, Highway 33, Mud Lake Idaho 83450 Time period for this project is June 15, 2023 – July 30, 2023.

1 – Background: Replace and Relocate 3 Ritchie Water Troughs There are currently 3 Cattle Master Ritchie Brand automatic water troughs, located on the north & east side of the animal barn, at the Mud Lake Feedlot Facility that require replacement. These troughs were installed before 1985 and currently do not meet Animal Care Requirements. The troughs are undersized and located in the corner of the pens, which cause sheep to pile upon each other when trying to drink. The troughs are also located beside the gates leading in and out of the pens, which creates icy spots for animals and employees to cross daily. The power box for each trough is currently mounted to posts outside the pen but inside the alleyway which is exposed to equipment and animals daily.

Each trough is mounted in the fence line between two pens which allows 1 trough to supply water to 2 pens.

Each pen is in a triangle shape, water at one end, 1300’ away are the feed bunks. Each pen will hold up to 350 sheep. Sheep are social animals and will travel to the water troughs in groups, creating the need for open area around the water troughs.

The Facility is located 1 mile west of Mud Lake Idaho, on Highway 33. This area is hard packed dirt/sand and reasonably flat. The weather is always windy, temps range from -0 to 100 degrees. The windy weather creates snow and sand drifting around structures, fence lines, etc.

There are currently 10 automatic Ritchie Cattle Master water troughs at the Mud Lake facility. Keeping all the water troughs the same creates a situation where parts are interchangeable, fence designs are the same and repairs are similar. These are all cost saving to the government, The 3 water troughs being replaced and relocated are in 3 separate fence lines, Pens 3 & 4, 5 & 6, and 7 & 8.

The troughs for pens 4&3 and 5&6 will be 12 ft. in length. The tough for pens 7&8 will be 8 ft in length.

Power and water lines already exist at the current locations.

Scope: The description below is requested for each of the 3 new Water Trough Areas:

Government will remove existing fence, (Wire panels and Tee posts, existing water troughs, and cement pads) down the fence line to the new location for the new trough, approximately 60’. The existing electrical boxes and water line will stay in place for the contractor to have a starting point.

Contractor will:

• Expose the underground water lines and electrical lines. Verify that the existing water pipe and electrical conduit are sound and properly operating.

• Dig a 5’ min. deep trench from the existing water/electrical locations, down the fence line to the new location.

• Provide and install new ¾” water pipe, inside the trench, attaching to the existing water line. Water line will extend up, through the cement pad inside a 4” PVC pipe, to the new water trough.

• Inspect new water lines and connections for leaks and repair if leaking.

• Properly bed the water lines with a minimum of 6” of gravel or sand and 1 ½’ of backfill properly compacted. Contractor can use government owned material as backfill that already is on site.

• Provide and install new underground conduit and wires, inside the trench on top of the compacted fill dirt, attaching to the existing electrical lines and stubbing up for the new post that will support the disconnect box. Remove the old disconnect for the old trough.

• Provide a new 4x4x8’ treated post and install post beside fence line at the end of the cement pad. For pens 3&4 and 5&6, the post will be installed at the east end of the cement pad. For pens 7&8, the post will be installed at the north end of the cement pad.

• Provide and install a new disconnect box, switch, and outlet on the 4x4 post. Run conduit/wires down the post, under the cement pad and up into the new water trough.

• Properly bed the conduits with a minimum of 6” of fine gravel or sand (same as water lines)

• Fill and compact trench and compact disturbed areas, related to project, level with ground.

• Frame and pour a cement pad for the new water troughs. Cement pads will be in two layers.

For troughs for pens 3 &4 and 5&6, the measurements are:

Ground pad – 8’ wide x 16’ Long x 5” thick Fence line will run down center of pad.

Top pad – 5’ wide x 13 ½’ Long x 4” thick Fence line will run down center of pad.

East edge is 1’ from edge of ground pad.

Plumbing and electrical will be stubbed through pad on the east end at the appropriate location for the water trough to attach.

For pens 8 & 7, the measurements are:

Ground pad – 8’ wide x 12’ Long x 5” thick Fence line will run down center of pad.

Top pad – 5’ wide x 9 ½’ Long x 4” thick Fence line will run down center of pad.

South edge is 1’ from edge of ground pad.

Plumbing and electrical will be stubbed through pad on the north end at the appropriate location for the water trough to attach.

Both layers of the cement pad will have a smooth finish

• Install a new Cattle Master 1440 Automatic Water Trough with stainless steel trough area.

Properly seal and bolt the water through to the cement pad so the fence line is the center of the water trough area. The troughs for pens 3&4 and 5&6 will be 12 ft. in length. The tough for pens 7&8 will be 8 ft in length.

• Properly connect the electrical to the water trough. Verify electrical is properly working on all the elements (Trough requires 10.9 amps @ 120V) and thermostat.

• Provide and install a ball valve style shut-off valve on the water line. Properly attach the water lines from the shut-off valve to the trough. Inspect all plumbing for leaks and repair any that are found.

Government will rebuild the fence lines over the water trough and up to the gate area.

The following statements will be required for the project:

Contractor will perform all the duties according to industry standards.

Contractor will provide all necessary equipment, tools, and additional parts (plumbing, cement, electrical, etc.)

to complete these jobs in a timely and professional way.

Contractor will provide all training, that is required to properly operate the water line valves, electrical boxes.

The contractor is responsible for contacting the COR to discuss the project and time schedule for the work to be completed. This project requires turning off the water system for the entire feedlot facility which makes timing very critical for this project.

Contractor is required to provide all safety equipment required for this job.

Contractor will provide a minimum 1-year warranty for workmanship.

Government will be responsible for completing the final water tests after the work has been completed.

Photo 1. This is an example of the old water troughs at Mud Lake with the power and water line. The Government will remove the existing water trough, cement pad and fence.

Photos 2 -4: Example of the new water trough set on cement pad with water lines and power. The government will re-install the fencing once the water trough is in place and working properly.

Photo 2 – Example of new water trough installed on cement pad side view, with post and power.

Photo 3: New water tough installed, showing location of power to water tough.

Photo 4: New water trough installed on cement pad and how it divides in to two pens. The government will re-install the fencing once the cement pad, power supply and water trough installation is complete.