USDA Forest Service Flathead NF Spotted Bear RD Hay with Delivery and Stacking

The USDA Forest Service Flathead National Forest Spotted Bear Ranger District is procuring approximately 120 tons (acceptable range 115-125 tons) of Certified Noxious Weed Seed Free Hay through this solicitation. The hay must meet specific technical requirements including small square bales weighing 70-95 pounds with precise dimensions of 14-16 inches wide, 18 inches high, and 38-42 inches long, with current year cutting preferred and moisture content not exceeding 15%. Contractors must provide hay that is certified free of noxious weeds by Montana Department of Agriculture standards, contains no more than 75% alfalfa or legumes, and includes proper certification documentation and colored twine marking for each bale. The procurement will be awarded as a firm-fixed price contract, with contractors required to submit both technical proposals demonstrating capability and detailed price proposals. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted to buffy.kittleson@usda.gov no later than June 24, 2025, with the original proposal deadline extended from June 19 to July 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM Mountain Time via Amendment 0001.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 111940 (Hay Farming) with a small business size standard of $2.5 million, and no incumbent contractors are identified in the solicitation documents. While specific contract values are not disclosed, the procurement involves delivery and stacking services at the Spotted Bear Ranger Station hay barn in Hungry Horse, Montana, with three separate deliveries of approximately 40 tons each required. The delivery schedule spans from June 30, 2025, through September 30, 2025, with specific operating hours restricted to 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. Contractors must handle unloading and stacking the hay in the designated barn facility, and the solicitation includes prevailing wage determinations for Montana counties including Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Ravalli, and Sanders. The contractor must also obtain and provide a Transportation Certificate from the Montana Department of Agriculture as part of the delivery requirements.