Certified Noxious Weed Seed-Free Hay

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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 72C. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The applicable North American Industry Classification (NAICS) is 111940 (Hay Farming): Size standard is .75 Million. This is 100% small business set-aside. General Information: The intent of this solicitation is to obtain quotes for purchase and delivery of certified noxious weed seed free hay for Spotted Bear Ranger Station and Coram Work Center for 2014 with one option period for 2015. The approximate tons to be delivered is 130 each year. See attachments: Clauses and Schedule of Items & additional fill in documents. Basis of Award and Evaluation of Quotes Award will be made by item. Offer of award will be made to the quoter whose quote, as determined by the Contracting Officer, provides the best value to the Government, considering but not limited to such factors as price, Contractor experience with this type of work, and past performance in accordance with FAR 52.212-2. The Experience Questionnaire will be used as part of the evaluation, (see attachment). More than 1 award may be made if it is determined that it is in the best interest of the government. Contract Time The Base period of performance will be approximately June 30, 2014, through September 5, 2014. The period of performance for Option Period One shall be from June 30, 2013, through September 6, 2015. AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of the Contract (FEB 1988) The effective period of this contract is from June 20, 2014, through December 30, 2015, for the Base period. The Option to Extend the Term of the Contract is dependent on the Effective Period of the Contract. Prework Conference Prior to commencement of work, the Contracting Officer will arrange a meeting with the Contractor to discuss the contract terms and work performance requirements. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Scope of Contract The purpose of this contract is to provide 120 tons (acceptable range 115 - 125 tons) of certified noxious weed seed free hay delivered to the Hay Shed located at the Spotted Bear Ranger Station and 8 tons (acceptable range 7 - 10 tons) of certified weed seed free hay delivered to the Coram Work Center Hay Shed on the Hungry Horse Ranger District. The range of tonnage is acceptable to accommodate the full semi and or pup trailer loads/load stackers at Coram that are the normal delivery means. The Spotted Bear Ranger Station is located approximately 55 miles south of Martin City, MT, near the confluence of Spotted Bear River and the South Fork of the Flathead River. The Coram Work Center Hay Shed is located approximately 2 miles east of the Hungry Horse Ranger Station out of Coram, MT, at the Forest Service pasture on Spotted Bear Road. Coordination is required in advance to assure access thru the locked gate. Hay Certification The Contractor shall provide a "Transportation Certificate" stating that the hay is certified free of noxious weeds and seeds as described in the "Montana Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Act and Administrative Rules" Title 80, Chapter 7, Part 9, from the Montana Department of Agriculture, Helena, MT. The "Transportation Certificate" shall be signed by the Agent for Montana Department of Agriculture, Helena, MT, whose jurisdiction the field(s) are within. Each delivered load of hay to Spotted Bear Ranger Station shall be identified by one of two options, 1) each bale is tagged with tags purchased from the Department of Agriculture in Helena, MT, or 2) each bale is marked with colored hay twine purchased from the Department of Agriculture in Helena, MT. Contact phone numbers are: Department of Agriculture: Kim Antonick +1 (555) 000-0000, or Dave Burch +1 (555) 000-0000. The following weed species shall not be present in the field(s) and in the hay: 1) All Priorities 1, 2, and 3 noxious weeds covered in the Montana Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Act and Administrative Rules. 2) Other weeds not listed in Priorities 1, 2 or 3 as follows per the Forest Service: Musk Thistle Scotch Thistle Burdock Cypress Spurge Cheat grass Poison Hemlock Common Mullein All other noxious weeds listed in the certification act must be verified but may or may not disqualify the crop. Disqualification is a judgment made by the Forest Service following the Montana Department of Agriculture's recommendation after the field inspection takes place. The Forest Service reserves the right to inspect and approve the field or fields prior to the cutting of the hay. Hay Mixture The hay mixture shall not include more than 75 percent alfalfa or other legumes. Hay Quality The hay shall be of high quality, as defined below, and consist of alfalfa and grass mixed hay; but hay that meets or exceeds the following standard is preferred. Due to unstable weather conditions, the Forest Service will consider all quality standards. The alfalfa content of the hay shall be equal to or greater than the following: 1. Crude protein should be equal to or greater than 14 percent while the acid detergent fiber (ADF) shall be equal to or less than 40 percent. 2. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) shall be equal to or less than 55 percent. 3. The relative feed value shall be equal to or greater than 105. The relative feed value (RFV) is from both the digestible dry matter (DDM) and dry matter intake (DMI) contents. The grass content of the hay shall correspond or exceed the following: 1. Crude protein greater than 11 percent while the total digestible nutrients (TDN) shall be greater than 40 percent. The quality standards outlined above is to inform the Contractor of the quality of hay the Forest Service shall consider. Quality Test of Hay The Forest Service requires the producer to have the hay quality tested. Samples of hay should be gathered at the time of baling for quality assessment. The Contractor shall submit a copy of the testing results once the testing is completed, prior to delivery. The testing cannot occur until the hay is cut. Only hay cut in fiscal year 2014 and 2015 (respectively for the contract period) will be accepted. If hay producers are unaware of testing services that provide the hay quality measurements identified above, please contact Bill Workman at the Spotted Bear Ranger Station, +1 (555) 000-0000/+1 (555) 000-0000. Moisture The hay shall be of high quality with no mold, and with the percent of moisture not exceeding 15 percent. After cutting, the hay shall not be subject to long durations of rain without being covered with tarps or other means of weather protection. Chemicals The hay shall be free of Pro-Prolactic Acid or similar type chemicals. The use of drying agents or mold inhibitors is not desirable for our use as it can lead to hay that does not meet the 15% maximum moisture content. Size of Square Bales Square Bale Specification: Weight: 75-95 pounds Width: 14-16 inches Height: 18 inches Length: 38-42 inches Delivery Locations, Dates and Time The delivery schedule for Spotted Bear Ranger Station and the Coram Work Center must be arranged two days in advance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Bill Workman at Spotted Bear Ranger Station +1 (555) 000-0000. Delivery to Spotted Bear Ranger Station and Coram Work Center. The delivery date can be negotiated with prior notice by contacting Bill Workman at Spotted Bear Ranger Station. The hay can be delivered in different scheduled loads. The hay shall be delivered between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Any deviations from this time frame must be approved at least two days in advance by the COR, Bill Workman. At the time of delivery, the Contractor shall give all certification papers to the COR or Inspector. The weight receipts displaying loaded and unloaded weights from a state certified scale must be received by the COR no later than five workings days after the delivery. Delivery Date and Location BASE PERIOD Delivery Date Quantity/Unit Ranger District Square Bales 6/30/14 - No later 115- 125 Tons Spotted Bear Ranger Station than 9/5/14 Square Bales 7/30/14 - No later 7 - 10 Tons Coram Hay Shed than 9/5/14 OPTION PERIOD ONE Delivery Date Quantity/Unit Ranger District Square Bales 6/30/2015 - No later 115- 125 Tons Spotted Bear Ranger Station than 9/6/2015 Square Bales 7/30/2015 - No later 7-10 Tons Coram Hay Shed than 9/7/2015