B08_Solicitation_Atch_1_SOW_2500_ton_alfalfa_hay_summer_2023.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0 GENERAL : The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Wild Horse and Burro Center at Palomino Valley Center (PVC) has a requirement for 2500 tons of alfalfa hay, 2023 second cutting or 2023 equivalent. This acquisition will be used to procure quality alfalfa hay for the feeding of wild horses and burros under the care of PVC. Large and or small bales will be required. 2000 tons of large bales maximum are required and 500 tons of small bales minimum will be required. The hay shall be at least 75% alfalfa with not more than 25% grasses (per bale), used for food for domestic animals, sun cured, cut, and stored for fodder. Hay shall between 12% and 18% crude protein levels. Hay shall also be stored in barn, and/or covered with hay tarps. Any hay stored outside uncovered must be free from any weather-related damage, no damaged top or bottom small/large bales will be accepted. Delivery of the 2000 tons of large will be accomplished between Date of Award and January 31st, 2024.

2.0 ALFALFA SPECIFICATIONS:

a. Shall:

iv. Must be food for domestic animals, cut, cured, and stored for fodder. With a crude protein level between 12% and 18%, and a relative feed value between 130 and 170.

v. Be barn stored or covered with hay tarps. Any hay stored outside uncovered must be free from any weather related damage.

vi. be free of any Russian Thistle or prickly herb, "Cheat" grass, and any other weed or grass not considered healthy forage for domestic animals.

vii. All hay shale be stacked in such a way that use of a “hay squeeze” is possible for moving squeeze blocks.

b. Shall not:

iii. Shall not contain any blister beetles.

3.0 BALE REQUIREMENTS:

SMALL BALES

a. Shall:

i. be cut with crimper and baled with 3-strands of RAT and rot-proof twine;

and,

ii. Weigh no less than 100 pounds and not more than 140 pounds.

b. Shall not:

LARGE BALES

i. be cut with crimper and 6-8strands of RAT and rot-proof twine;

and,

viii. weigh no less than 800 pounds and not more than 2000 pounds.

ix. 4’x4’x8’ or 3’x4’x8’ bales are acceptable.

b. Shall not:

xi. 3’x3’ bales will not be accepted.

4.0 CERTIFIED WEIGHT TICKETS: Tonnage shall be established at the Contractor's facility prior to shipment, and confirmed in writing.

a. Total weight (per ton) shipped by the Contractor will be confirmed by the Project Inspector (PI).

b. A State Certified Weight Ticket shall be provided to the PI. PI will use the weight ticket number to identify each shipment of hay. Invoices shall include weight ticket numbers and tonnage for each ticket invoiced.

5.0 PLACE OF DELIVERY: The hay shall be delivered, unloaded, and stacked by the contractor at the following location:

National Wild Horse and Burro Placement Center at Palomino Valley (PVC)

TIME OF DELIVERY: The 2500 tons shall be delivered using the following dates: Delivery of the first 1000 tons of large bales will be accomplished between Date of Award and September 30th, 2023. The second 1000 tons of large bales shall be delivered between December 1st 2023 and January 31st 2024. The 500 ton of small bales shale be delivered within 30 days of date of award.

6.0 Contracting Officers Representee reserves the ability to request specific bale size to be delivered to accommodate feeding needs and hay inventory at the facility should both small and large bales be offered. Contracting Officers Representative reserves the ability to request deliveries to be or not to be delivered based on hay inventory at the facility.

7.0 UNLOADING AT DESTINATION

a. The Contractor shall be responsible for unloading and stacking the hay bales under the hay shed and in other designated areas at PVC. Unloading plan including description of equipment to be used for unloading shall be included in the bid. The small bales shall be stacked not less than 8 tiers high or more than 13 tiers high, hay must stacked be in squeeze blocks. The big bales shall be stacked to accept hay tarps generally 5 rows wide 5 bales high with a 6th bale on the center row. All hay shall be stacked so that any movement of hay can be performed with a hay squeeze. All bales placed on the ground need to be on edge, to reduce hay loss. Three (3) work days prior to shipping the alfalfa, the Contractor shall furnish to the PI the following:

b. Delivery shall be made between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., local time, Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and national holidays. Drivers must check in with the PI prior to starting to unload so hay can be inspected, and weight tickets can be turned in upon acceptance. All trucks must start unloading within ½ hour of arriving at the facility. All unloading activity must be completed by 4:00pm.

c. If an emergency occurs, deliveries may be requested for a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday, providing the Contractor notifies the PI on the preceding Friday and/or within the preceding work day of the delivery date.

d. The Contractor shall provide certified weigh tickets to the PI upon hay delivery. The PI will use weigh tickets to verify the tonnage shipped prior to inspection and eventual acceptance of each shipment. The Contractor will be reimbursed for the actual quantity shipped.

e. All hay shall be transported using standard commercial practices for the shipment of hay, in vehicles compliant with local, State and Federal regulations concerning the transport of hay.