SOW.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) for Custom Hay Baling

1.0 General

1.1 Background

The mission of the United States Department of Agriculture National Animal Disease Center (NADC} has a requirement for Baling of up to 300 acres of hay from Government owned land.

1.2 Objective

NADC has Grass and Alfalfa plots on-site of approximately 80 acres from which the contractor will bale grass and alfalfa. NOTE: Weather or other circumstances may result in less forage available.

1.3 Scope of Work

Vendor to cut, condition, rake and bale forage from National Animal Disease Center (NADC) fields.

Vendor will be required to supervise all areas of the operation in which they are responsible.

1.4 Period of Performance

First Cutting to begin no earlier than May 15, 2021 and finish no later than October 15, 2021. NADC ARU staff will coordinate specific dates with vendor to assure correct timing of harvest taking into account forage maturity and current weather conditions

1.5 Place of Performance

1920 Dayton Ave, Ames IA 50010

2.0 Specific Requirements/Tasks

NADC has the following plots on-site which may be baled by the contractor as requested by the

NADC:

*Mixed Grass -Approximately 65 acres *Alfalfa - Approximately 15 acres

NADC has hay plots on-site up to 80 acres which may be baled by the contractor as requested by the NADC. NADC Farm Management Staff will determine fields to harvest. Minimum number of acres harvested will be 60 acres up to a maximum of 300 acres. Vendor to bid on a per acre basis and will be paid on a per acre basis. Vendor shall supply all needed equipment to include: tractors, balers, rake, mower, wagons, tractors to pull wagons, fuel and labor for all the vendor supplied equipment to harvest hay as assigned by National Animal Disease Center (NADC) Farm Management Staff.

Vendor shall maintain a record of the number and type of bales from each field and turn in to Farm Manager after completion of each cutting. Vendor will be responsible for delivery of all baled hay from the fields to NADC location as specified by NADC Farm Management Staff.

Vendor will be required to bale small squares and stack in location designated by Farm Manager. Hay racks will be supplied by NADC. Vendor will be responsible for supervision and safety of all areas of the operation in which they are responsible.

Hay harvest to begin as early as May 15th and may proceed to the middle of October. All tasks must be completed in accordance with typical industry standards and in coordination with NADC Farm Management Staff. Hay is to be baled in Large Square bales/Round bales (typically greater than 90% of total) and/or Small Square bales (typically less than 10% of total) as designated by NADC Farm Management Staff. Hay is to be cut and crimped/crushed. Care should be taken when raking and baling to prevent dry matter loss. Hay is to be baled when moisture content reaches 15-18%. Propionic Acid and propionic-acetic acid preservatives should be used with prior approval of NADC Farm Management Staff. The acid preservative should be applied at the baler and at a rate recommended by the manufacturer.

Exact harvest dates to be determined by NADC Farm Management Staff depending on weather and plant growth stage. Subsequent cuttings will typically be about 30 days apaii depending on weather conditions. Harvest to commence within 4 calendar days from verbal or written request by an authorized government employee and be completed in a timely manner yielding a satisfactory product as described above.

Estimated acres to be baled per cutting:

pt cutting - 65 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/ Large Square) 2nd cutting - 65 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/Large Square) and 8 acres Alfalfa (all Small Square) about 7/1/21 3rd cutting - 65 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/Large Square) and 8 acres Alfalfa (all Small Square) about 8/1/21 4th cutting - 65 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/Large Square) and 8 acres Alfalfa (all Small Square) about 9/1/21

Small Square bales of hay shall be satisfactorily baled with rot-proof twine. Bales that are ragged, shorter than 36" or longer than 48", and bales having twine of unequal tension, which makes it difficult to handle and stack, will not be acceptable. Bales should weigh between 50 and 70 pounds each. Hay shall not contain injurious foreign material.

Large Square bales of hay shall be satisfactorily baled with rot-proof twine making a 3' X 3' X 8', a 3' X 4' X 8' or a 4' X 4' X 8' bale.

Round Bales of hay shall be satisfactorily baled with net-wrap making a bale that is minimum 4.5' to 6' in diameter and approximately 5' wide with a minimum weight of 1400 pounds and maximum 1800 pounds.

Large Square and Round Bales that are ragged or having twine/wrap of unequal tension, which makes it difficult to handle, will not be acceptable. Hay shall not contain injurious foreign material.

Vendor shall be responsible for supervising all operations under their responsibility. This would include the maintenance and safety of all vendor owned equipment, supplies and personnel.