Hammered Sawdust/Bedding

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12561520Q0018 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-04. This solicitation will be a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 321999 - All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 500 employees and the PSC code is 8730.

This acquisition is for the following item as identified in the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN):

001) Hammered Sawdust/Bedding (264 tons; 12 loads of 22 tons/load)

Scope of Work: 

Purchase of 264 tons of hammered sawdust in 12 trailer loads containing 22 tons/load for USDA-ARS/Marshfield Agricultural Research Station. The sawdust is used for free-stall bedding for lactating cows, and in a bedded-pack for young heifers.

Background:  

The USDA-ARS/Marshfield Agricultural Research Station has a long history (>15 years) of using a bedded pack system for young dairy heifers. More recently, changes have been made to the manure management system at Marshfield that require sawdust bedding within forestall for (~125) lactating cows. In the recent past, the research station has required a 22-ton load about every 2 weeks. This procurement need will continue indefinitely, and is an essential requirement of animals care.

Technical Requirements/Tasks: 

1. Deliver 264 tons of hammered sawdust to the UW Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, 208356 Drake Ave., Stratford, WI 54484.
2. Sawdust should be delivered by walking trailer in approximate 22-ton loads.
3. Deliveries will begin about 15 April 2020 and continue through the balance of the federal fiscal year (30 September).
4. Exact delivery dates should be coordinated with Will Cordes (MARS Supervisor; 715-650-7429). The MARS station can't accept multiple loads at once, and has under-roof storage for only one 22-ton load at a time.
5. Specifications for the sawdust include: i) moisture content between 10 and 15%; ii) particle size less than 3/8", but no more than 20% fine (< 1/8") particles; iii) bulk density > 10 lbs/cubic foot; iv) free of foreign material and debris; and v) no additives, such as corn stalks, bean stalks, oat hulls, or straw.
6. Quote should include all delivery fees, surcharges, and all other costs.

Government Furnished:

The USDA-ARS/Marshfield Agricultural Research Station will furnish under-roof storage for one 22-ton load of hammered sawdust. Because the research station is an operating dairy farm, there will be employees on site during business hours (7:00 am to 4:30 pm) daily. However, deliveries on weekends or holidays are discouraged. All deliveries should be coordinated in advance with Will Cordes (MARS Supervisor; 715-650-7429).

Specifications for the Sawdust:

1. Moisture content between 10 and 15%.
2. Particle size less than 3/8", but no more than 20% fine (< 1/8") particles.
3. Bulk density > 10 lbs/cubic foot; iv) free of foreign material and debris.
4. No additives, such as corn stalks, bean stalks, oat hulls, or straw.

Schedule of Deliveries:

The 12 deliveries will occur at approximate 2-week intervals beginning on about 15 April 2020. As such a tentative delivery schedule would be:

• 15 April, 2020
• 29 April, 2020
• 13 May, 2020
• 27 May, 2020
• 10 June, 2020
• 24 June, 2020
• 8 July, 2020
• 22 July, 2020
• 5 August, 2020
• 19 August, 2020
• 2 September, 2020
• 16 September, 2020

However, usage rates vary with weather conditions and season. All deliveries should be coordinated in advance with Will Cordes (MARS Supervisor; 715-650-7429) because storage capacity is limited. Delivery is to be made using  a walking trailer.

Reporting Requirements: 

The contractor/vendor should leave a delivery receipt with delivery weight at the UW Marshfield Agricultural Research Station Office (208356 Drake Ave., Stratford, WI 54484) with each load. Invoices should be submitted promptly to Aaron Dimeo through the IPP system.

Travel: 

Deliveries (12) of sawdust to the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station are the responsibility of the contractor/vendor.

Contractor’s Key Personnel: 

Truck driver/operator.

Security Requirements: 

Prior coordination with Will Cordes (MARS Supervisor) prior to any delivery.

Submitting a Quote:

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their DUNS# on their quote.

Invoices are to be submitted and payment will be made through the IPP system. Vendors must be registered or register in the IPP system.

Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF-18 (see attached). The quote should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. 

Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please email all quotes in writing on the SF-18 to aaron.dimeo@usda.gov by no later than April 2, 2020 at 3:00 PM Central Standard Time.

Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email and are due no later than 3:00 PM CST on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.