Baling Contract for Hay and Cornstalks

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) seeks bids for a "Baling Contract for Hay and Cornstalks." The government is procuring services related to the baling of hay and cornstalks.

• The primary deliverable is a "Baling Contract for Hay and Cornstalks."

• The period of performance is from April 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

• Delivery is required by December 31, 2026.

• Contract Type: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be a firm-fixed-price contract based on the "Lowest Price Technically Acceptable" evaluation method.

• Period of Performance: April 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

• Estimated Value: Not stated.

• Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026, by 1600 CT.

• Submission Method: Email to james.porter@usda.gov.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Offers will be evaluated based on price, starting from the lowest, and then assessed for technical acceptability. Offers not meeting technical requirements will be disqualified, and the next lowest priced offer will be evaluated.

• Technical Acceptability: Defined as meeting all solicitation requirements, including submitting all required documents and acknowledging amendments. Past performance will be rated as acceptable or unacceptable.

• The document does not explicitly state any small business set-aside requirements. However, numerous FAR clauses related to small business concerns are incorporated by reference.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR clauses incorporated by reference and by full text, covering various aspects of contracting, including representations and certifications, labor standards, and trade agreements.

• Offerors must have an active UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) and be registered in SAM.gov.

• Invoices must be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To perform hay (mixed grass and alfalfa) and cornstalk baling for the USDA-ARS Midwest Area (MWA) National Animal Disease Center (NADC) Animal Resources Unit facility in Ames, Iowa.

• Baling of mixed grass hay (approx. 70 acres), alfalfa hay (approx. 10 acres), and cornstalks (approx. 80 acres).

• Total estimated acres to be baled range from a minimum of 20 acres up to a maximum of 310 acres.

• Contractor will cut, condition, ted, rake, and bale forage and cornstalks.

• Hay to be baled in round bales (option for large square bales) or small square bales, with moisture content between 15-18%.

• Cornstalks to be baled in round bales.

• Acid preservative (Propionic Acid and propionic-acetic acid) may be used with prior approval.

• Contractor is responsible for supplying all equipment (tractors, balers, rakes, mowers, wagons, fuel, labor) and supervising operations.

• Contractor must maintain records of bale type, quantity, and average weight per field.

• Contractor is responsible for hauling bales to NADC location and stacking small squares as designated.

• Round bales: 4.5' to 6' diameter, approx. 5' wide, 1400-1800 lbs (cornstalk bales 1100-1400 lbs).

• Large Square bales: 3'X3'X8', 3'X4'X8', or 4'X4'X8' with rot-proof twine.

• Small Square bales: 50-70 lbs, not ragged, 36"-48" long, with rot-proof twine.

• Bales must not contain foreign material injurious to livestock.

• Bales must not be ragged or have twine/wrap of unequal tension.

• Hay baling moisture content: 15-18%.

• Bales must not be heating or molding from excessive moisture.

• Location: 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010.

• Hay baling period: May 1, 2026 - October 15, 2026.

• Cornstalk baling period: August 15, 2026 - December 15, 2026.

• Overall contract period: May 1, 2026 - December 15, 2026.

• Baling to commence within 4 business days after receipt of order and be completed within 5 business days.

• Admission to property rules apply (restricted access, identification required, visitor badges).

• Technical Point of Contact: Stephen Sterle (515-337-7248, stephen.sterle@usda.gov).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) issued on January 1, 2025. It outlines the procedures and guidelines the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) Procurement and Animal Resources Unit will use to monitor contractor performance against required standards and service levels as defined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Purpose of QASP: To describe systematic methods for monitoring performance, identifying documentation needs, and ensuring payment is made only for services received.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Defines the roles of the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Performance Monitoring Methodologies: Includes surveillance techniques (e.g., random monitoring), customer feedback mechanisms, and acceptable quality levels (AQLs).
• Quality Assurance Documentation: Details the performance management feedback loop and monitoring forms.
• Analysis of Quality Assurance Assessment: Outlines how performance will be determined, reported, and reviewed.
• Attachments: Includes a "Performance Requirements Summary" (Attachment 1) detailing specific services, standards, AQLs, and surveillance methods, and a "Sample Quality Assurance Monitoring Form" (Attachment 2).

This QASP template provides insight into how the government intends to monitor and evaluate contractor performance. Bidders should review the "Performance Requirements Summary" (Attachment 1) to understand the specific performance standards, acceptable quality levels, and surveillance methods that will be used to assess their work. This will help in developing a robust quality control plan and understanding potential impacts on contractor payments based on performance.