Bulk Wood Shavings for Livestock Bedding

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls, through its Purchasing Services Department, is seeking bids for bulk wood shavings to be used as livestock bedding at the Mann Valley Dairy Farm and Campus Lab Equine Farm. The solicitation requires kiln-dried ground wood shavings with a maximum moisture content of 12% by volume, with an estimated annual usage of 7,000 cubic yards. Bidders must have been in the animal bedding business for at least three years and are required to submit comprehensive company information, references, and various statutory certifications. The bid was issued on August 16, 2022, with questions due by August 22, 2022, and bid responses required no later than 2:00 p.m. CDT on September 2, 2022. The initial contract term will be one year, with potential automatic renewals for two additional one-year terms, resulting in a possible three-year contract. Pricing must be submitted on a per-cubic-yard basis and remain firm throughout the initial contract term. Deliveries must be made five days per week during normal business hours, with the contractor responsible for loading trucks and having a representative present during delivery.

The contract includes opportunities for diverse suppliers, with potential 5% price preferences available for Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (DVB). Bidders may qualify for Wisconsin's Supplier Diversity Program certifications, including Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVB), and Veteran-Owned Business (VB) designations. The contract is not limited to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls but is eligible for purchase by all University of Wisconsin System campuses, State of Wisconsin agencies, and Wisconsin municipalities. Bidders must comply with various statutory requirements, including certifications that materials are manufactured in the United States to the greatest extent possible, no engagement in collusion or restraint of competition, and compliance with non-discrimination and affirmative action requirements. The award will be made to the lowest qualified bid deemed to be in the best interest of the University, with no specific budget range or award value explicitly stated in the procurement documents. Pricing and other submitted information will become public information, with only trade secret-qualifying information potentially kept confidential.