Cut, Bale and Sale of Hay

The City of Austin, through Austin Water, is seeking a qualified contractor to manage hay production and pecan harvesting at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant. The contract requires cutting, baling, and selling hay from 510 acres annually, with an estimated 6,300 total bales (including round and square bales) to be produced through four annual cuts aligned with the TCEQ fiscal year. Additional services include mowing grass in the pecan orchard, maintaining Bermuda and Ryegrass in irrigation areas, harvesting pecans, and performing related field maintenance tasks. Contractors must demonstrate a minimum of five years of continuous experience in hay and pecan operations and provide five professional references. The solicitation (IFB 2200 MHR1015) requires contractors to maintain detailed logs of cutting activities and submit quarterly reports. Key dates include a question submission deadline of January 2, 2026, at 12:00 PM CT, with bid offers due January 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT and bid opening at 3:00 PM CT. The initial contract term is twelve months, with four optional one-year renewal periods at the City's discretion.

No specific Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Women Business Enterprise (WBE) goals are assigned to this contract. Contractors must provide all necessary equipment, including tractors, mowers, rakes, and balers, and are permitted to store up to 6,300 round bales on-site and use a designated pole barn for equipment storage. The City will not provide water, electricity, or liability coverage for stored equipment. Pricing will be structured as a unit price per hay bale, with quarterly payments required via check to the Contract Manager. Late payments may incur interest up to 1.5% or the maximum lawful rate if not received within 30 business days. Contractors must ensure all employees are 18 or older, possess valid identification, and obtain Austin Water contractor security badges within 30 days of contract award. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the pricing structure and estimated annual bale production suggest a potentially significant revenue opportunity for the selected contractor.