Statement of Work.pdf

Statement of Work Project: FY24 Custom Baling Contract for Animal Resources Unit of USDA

Laboratory

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: FY24 Custom Baling Contract for USDA Laboratory. Contract period of performance is May 1, 2024 through November 30, 2024. Anticipated total harvest not to exceed 300 acres. Vendor will cut, condition, rake, and bale forage and cornstalks 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 (NADC) Animal Resources unit in Ames, IA is to provide animal care and support services for internal users that rely on animal products for research, testing, and training. NADC has grass and alfalfa plots onsite of approximately 75 acres from which the contractor will bale grass and alfalfa. In addition, there are approximately 65 acres of corn of which about 20 acres may require baling of cornstalks. 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 *Corn – Approximately 20 acres

NADC has hay plots on-site up to 80 acres and corn plots up to 20 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 as assigned by NADC Farm Management Staff.

Vendor shall maintain a record of the type, quantity, and average weight of bales from each field and turn in to Farm Manager after completion of each baling period. Vendor will be responsible for delivery of all bales 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.

Baling to begin as early as May 1st and may proceed to the end of November. All tasks must be completed in accordance with typical industry standards and in coordination with NADC Farm

Management Staff. Exact harvest dates to be determined by NADC Farm Management Staff depending on weather and plant growth stage. Subsequent cuttings (hay) 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 below.

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 5% 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. Cornstalks will be baled in round bales. Vendor must exercise care when baling to avoid foreign material being baled and prevent bales from heating or molding from excessive moisture content.

Estimated acres to be baled per cutting:

1st cutting - 65 acres (mixed grass) (all Round / Large Square) and 7 acres Alfalfa (Round / Large Square) 2nd cutting - 65 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/Large Square) and 7 acres Alfalfa (Small Square / Round) 3rd cutting - 65 acres (mixed grass) (all Round/Large Square) and 7 acres Alfalfa (Small Square / Round) 4th cutting - 7 acres Alfalfa (Small Square / Round) Cornstalk - 20 acres (Round)

Round Bales 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 (Cornstalk bale weights between 1100-1400 pounds).

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.

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

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. Bales shall not contain foreign material that may be injurious to livestock.

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: 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.

NOTE: Weapons of any kind and pets are not allowed on campus.

5.0 Deliverables/Schedule: First cutting hay will begin no earlier than May 1, 2024 and finish no later than October 15, 2024. Cornstalk baling to occur no earlier than September 15, 2024 and end no later than November 31, 2024. NADC ARU staff will coordinate with vendor on specific dates to assure correct timing of harvest, taking into consideration forage maturity and current weather conditions.

6.0 Technical Point of Contact: TBD

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