SOW - Hay Baling.pdf

Statement of Work Project: FY23 Custom Hay Baling Contract for Animal Resources Unit of USDA

Laboratory

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: FY23 Custom Hay Baling Contract for USDA Laboratory.

Contract Period of Coverage: May 15, 2023 through October 31, 2023.

Anticipated total harvest not to exceed 300 acres. Vendor will cut, condition, rake and bale forage from the NADC fields. Vendor will be required to supervise all areas of the operation in which they are responsible.

2.0 Background: The mission of the USDA-National Animal Disease Center Animal Resources unit in Ames, IA is to provide animal care and support services for internal users that rely in animal products for research, testing and training. NADC has Grass and Alfalfa plots onsite of approximately 80 acres from which the contractor will bale grass and alfalfa. Weather or other circumstances may impact resulting forage available for harvest.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

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 70 acres *Alfalfa – Approximately 10 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, average weight, 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 Round bales (with option of Large Square bales if needed) and/or Small Square bales (typically not to exceed 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 apart 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:

1st cutting - 70 acres (mixed grass) (all Round / Large Square) and 8 acres Alfalfa (all Small Square) 2nd cutting - 70 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/Large Square) and 8 acres Alfalfa (all Small Square) 3rd cutting - 70 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/Large Square) and 8 acres Alfalfa (all Small Square) 4th cutting - 8 acres Alfalfa (all Small Square)

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.

4.0 Government Furnished: Contractor will require state-issued identification to gain access to the facility for escorted delivery to the straw storage building.

The following rules and regulations apply to all property at the NCAH, Ames, Iowa, under the custody of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and to all persons entering on such property.

Admission to Property: The campus is closed to the general public. Admission to the facility is restricted to authorized persons and approved visitors. Upon entry, visitors:

1. Will be required to present Government or other identifying credentials to the Officer at the Visitor Gate (photo driver’s license, passport, or other official photo identification).

2. Will be issued a visitor’s badge and must wear and display the badge at all times while visiting the facilities.

5.0 Deliverables/Schedule: First cutting will begin no earlier than May15th, 2023 and final cutting will finish no later than October 15, 2023. NADC ARU staff will coordinate specific dates with vendor to assure correct timing of harvest, taking into consideration forage maturity and current weather conditions.

6.0 Technical Point of Contact: Should there be technical questions, please contact Stephen Sterle at 515-337-7248 stephen.sterle@usda.gov

7.0 Place of Performance: USDA, NCAH, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Bldg 13, Ames, IA 50010