Hay_SOW_25.pdf

SPECIFICATIONS

Hay – Weed Seed Free for Yellowstone National Park

Specification for Yellowstone hay.

• 50 tons minimum 125 tons maximum of small square hay bales

• 200 minimum 800 tons maximum of large square hay bales

Weed Free Certification:

The Contractor shall provide a "Transportation Certificate" stating that the hay is certified free of noxious weeds and seeds.

Hay shall be identified by one of two options,

1) Each bale is marked with tags purchased from the Department of Agriculture

2) Each bale is marked with colored hay twine purchased from the Department of Agriculture

The following weed species shall not be present in the field(s) and in the hay:

1) All Priorities 1, 2, and 3 noxious weeds covered in the Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming Forage Act and Administrative Rules.

All other noxious weeds listed in the certification act must be verified but may or may not disqualify the crop. Disqualification is a judgment made by the National Park Service following the Department of Agriculture's recommendation after the field inspection takes place. The National Park reserves the right to inspect and approve the fields or prior to the cutting of the hay. Contractor is to notify COR or Park Representative prior to cutting as to allow for field inspection.

Hay Quality:

Hay shall be of high quality, as defined below, and consist of alfalfa and grass mixed hay, however hay that exceeds the following standard is preferred.

• Hay shall be of high quality with no mold, green in color.

• Hay mixture shall not include more than 60% alfalfa or other legumes.

• Only hay cut in calendar year of delivery will be accepted.

Hay – Weed Seed Free for Yellowstone National Park:

• First cutting hay preferred but additional cuttings may be requested.

• Dusty, moldy, wet or rain damaged hay, as determined by corral operations supervisor will not.

be accepted and refused at time of delivery.

• Inspection of hay may require the splitting or core samples of hay bales to determine interior mold.

• Moisture content must not exceed 15%.

• Hay shall not have been subjected to rain at any time without being covered with tarps or other means of weather protection, including delivery.

Alfalfa content of the hay shall be equal to or greater than the following:

• Crude protein should be equal to or greater than 14%.

• Acid detergent fiber (ADF) shall be equal to or less than 40%.

• Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) shall be equal to or less than 55%.

• Relative feed value shall be equal to or greater than 105. The relative feed from both the digestible dry matter (DDM) and dry matter intake (DMI) contents.

Grass content of the hay shall correspond or exceed the following:

• Crude protein greater than 11% while the total digestible nutrients (TDN) shall be greater than 40%.

• The quality standards outlined above is to inform the Contractor of the quality of hay the National Park Service may consider.

Quality Test of Hay:

• The National Park Service may require the offeror to have the hay quality tested for crude protein and relative feed value.

• The National Park may require the producer to have the hay quality tested. If requested, the Contractor shall submit a copy of the testing results, prior to delivery.

Bale Requirements:

Large Square Bales Shall:

• Be cut with crimper and baled with 3-strands or more of Rat and Rot-proof twine

• Weigh no less than 1150 pounds and not more than 1,800 pounds Large Square Bales Shall Not:

• Exceed 1,800 pounds per bale

• Be less than 1150 pounds per bale

• Be bailed in “round bales” – round bales will be rejected

• Be ragged, have varying lengths, have wires or twine of unequal tension, or be broke

• Consist of bales that are on the top or bottom of stacks that are stored outdoors

• Show evidence of rain or water damage

Small Square Bales Shall:

• Be cut with a crimper and secured with Rat and rot-proof twine

• Weigh 70 to 80 pounds

• Width 14-16 inches, Height 18-20 inches, Length 38-42 inches. They must be delivered in bundles of 18 bails and be secured with 4 strands of Rat and rot-proof twine.

Small Square Bales Shall Not:

• Be ragged, have varying lengths, have wires or twine of unequal tension, or be broken

• Consist of bales that are on top, or bottom of stacks stored outdoors.

• Show evidence of rain or water damage

Inspection:

National Park Service reserves the right to inspect and approve the baled hay at stored location Inspection will be performed by Park Representative Corral Operations Supervisor and hay shall be rejected if product does not meet the minimum requirements of this contract. Final acceptance of hay will be upon delivery.

Certified Weight Tickets:

Tonnage of weed free certified hay shipments shall be established at the Contractor’s facility prior to shipment and confirmed in writing with weight tickets issued from a state certified weigh station.

• Total weight shipped by the Contractor shall be confirmed at destination (Steven Creek Corrals) by the Corrals Operation Supervisor.

• The Corrals Operation Supervisor shall be provided with State Certified Weight Tickets for each load delivered.

• The Contractor will be reimbursed for actual weight shipped.

Delivery:

Hay will be delivered to 256 Stephens Creek Road Yellowstone National Park. The delivery schedule for Yellowstone National Park Stephens Creek must be arranged two days in advance with the Park Representative Corrals Operation Supervisor. Delivery date of large square bales is June 28th-July 25th. Delivery dates for small square bales is August 3rd- September 26th. Loads shall be delivered between 7:00 am and 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Any requested deviations from this time frame must be approved at least two days in advance.

At the time of the delivery, the contractor shall give all certification papers to the Park Representative or inspector. Weight tickets for each load shall be provided by the contractor, and weight receipts. Displaying loaded and unloaded weights from a state certified scale must be received by the Park Representative or COR no later than five working days after the delivery.

All loads being transported into the park interior shall be covered (tarped). This includes all trucks and trailers when loaded. The length of any unit delivering within the park shall not exceed 75 feet in total.