Alfalfa Hay - Request for Quote

The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) is issuing a Request for Quote for the procurement of 600 tons of alfalfa hay to be delivered to Colorado Correctional Industries - Goat Dairy in Canon City, Colorado. The hay must meet stringent nutritional and quality standards, including a minimum Relative Feed Value (RFV) of 175%, 19% crude protein content, maximum acid detergent fiber of 32%, and maximum moisture content of 13%. All hay must originate from the 2016 crop (first, second, third, or fourth cutting) and be free of mold, dust, excessive weeds, and prohibited grass varieties, with only 3x3x8, 3x4x8, or 4x4x8 twine-wrapped bales acceptable for delivery. Vendors may submit bids for the total quantity or lesser amounts, with pricing quoted on a per-ton basis including all freight costs on an FOB-destination basis. The quote submission deadline is January 10, 2017, at 2:00 PM Mountain Time, with deliveries to commence upon purchase order issuance no later than January 15, 2017, at a rate of one or more loads per week until completion. Evaluation criteria include cost, projected delivery dates, hay quality, bidder qualifications and experience, and past performance; all delivered hay is subject to core sampling and independent laboratory analysis, with non-conforming hay rejected and placed back on the vendor's trailer, and continuous deficiencies resulting in purchase order cancellation. Payment terms are assumed to be net 45 days after receipt of goods and invoice unless otherwise specified by the bidder, though terms of less than 45 days may be considered if they include a discount.

The solicitation includes a preference for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses based in Colorado; however, there are no explicit set-aside restrictions limiting competition to specific enterprise categories. All bidders must be registered on the Colorado Vendor Self Service website and may be required to provide written evidence of supply agreements and undergo background checks for facility access. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or specific technology integration requirements are identified in the solicitation documentation. The solicitation does not provide an explicit budget range or award value; however, the total procurement of 600 tons of hay at market rates suggests a contract value likely in the range of $60,000 to $90,000, depending on regional hay pricing and bidder competition. Award will be made to the bidder or bidders whose response is determined most advantageous to the State based on the evaluation factors outlined.