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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12561520Q0014 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2020-04. This solicitation will be a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 115113, Crop Harvesting, Primarily by Machine, with a small business size standard of $7,500,00 in income and the PSC is F099.

This acquisition is for the following item as identified in the Contract Line Item Number (CUN):

001) Alfalfa Chopping and Harvesting Services.

Scope of Work:  

The USDA-Dairy Forage Research Farm at Prairie du Sac, WI seeks alfalfa mowing, chopping, merging, and storage services for four separate cuttings on 372 acres.

Background:  

Alfalfa is grown at the farm for silage. The cutting, chopping and storing of the alfalfa is labor intensive and requires specific farm equipment. The vendor needs to have experience with previous alfalfa harvesting to ensure that the fields and crops are not damaged. The farm has traditionally paid vendors for this service as we don’t have the personnel or large-scale equipment to perform the work ourselves. The vendor will need to coordinate specific days for the work with Paul Davis (608-640-7752) who is a University of Wisconsin employee. Paul will assess the field conditions to determine the best days for harvesting.

Technical Requirements/Tasks: 

Alfalfa chopping services for 4 cuttings. 1st crop 372 acres, 2nd crop 283 acres, 3rd crop 283 acres, 4th crop 283 acres. Operations needed for each cutting include discbine mowing, merging of windrows, 3 forage trucks, packing tractor, bagger for 4th crop and a self-propelled chopper for harvest. The vendor must supply their own diesel fuel for their equipment.

• Need Item 1st cut:  1st crop alfalfa 372 acres. For 1st crop, 310.8 acres will be stored in an upright forage bunk, and 61.4 acres will be stored in a 12’ ag bag.  Mowing, chopping, merging and one large packing tractor needed for two days. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed for two days.  Estimated date to cut is May 15th-May 20th 2020.
• Need Item 2nd cut:  2nd crop alfalfa 283 acres will be stored in two upright forage bunks. Mowing, chopping, merging and one large packing tractor needed for two days. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed for two days.  Estimated date to cut will be June 15th-17th 2020.
• Need Item 3rd cut:  3rd crop alfalfa 283 acres will be stored in two upright forage bunks. Mowing, chopping, merging and one large packing tractor needed for two days. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed for two days.  Estimated date to cut will be July 13th-14th 2020.
• Need Item 4th cut:  4th crop 283 acres alfalfa will be stored in an ag bag along south driveway. Mowing, chopping, merging and self-powered 12’ forage bagger will be needed. 3 forage trucks or wagons will be needed.  Estimated date to cut will be August 10th-11th 2020.

Government Furnished:

The work will take place on 372 acres of USDA-ARS land within the Badger property in Prairie du Sac.  The US Dairy Forage Farm will provide and install oxygen-limiting plastics used to line the concrete forage bunkers prior to feed storage, and provide and install bunker covers. Farm will also provide silage bag for 4th crop.

Deliverables / Schedule:

The specific schedule will be contingent on the weather and crop and field conditions. All loads of chopped alfalfa must be weighed on the farm weigh scale to determine the total amount of forage harvested.  Weight recording sheets will be provided.  Automatic digital weigh wagons can be used by the vendor to record weights.                                  

Key Deliverables

1. 1st Harvest

• Description: Mow, chop and merge alfalfa off 372 acres. Store 310.8 acres in upright forage bunker and 61.4 acres in a 12’ ag bag.
• Approximate Timeframe: May 15th-20th.
• Equipment needed: Discbine mower, self-propelled chopper, packing tractor, merger attachment, 3 forage trucks or wagons for two days.
• Due By: One week after Paul Davis indicates field conditions are ready.

2. 2nd Harvest

• Description: Mow, chop and merge alfalfa off 283 acres. Store in two upright forage bunkers. 
• Approximate Timeframe: June 15th-17th
• Equipment needed: Discbine mower, self-propelled chopper, packing tractor, merger attachment, 3 forage trucks or wagons for two days.
• Due By: One week after Paul Davis indicates field conditions are ready.

3. 3rd Harvest

• Description: Mow, chop and merge alfalfa off 283 acres. Store in two upright forage bunkers.  
• Approximate Timeframe: July 13th-14th
• Equipment needed: Discbine mower, self-propelled chopper, packing tractor, merger attachment, 3 forage trucks or wagons for two days.
• Due By: One week after Paul Davis indicates field conditions are ready.

4. 4th Harvest

• Description: Mow, chop and merge alfalfa off 283 acres. Store in 12-foot agricultural bag along south driveway
• Approximate Timeframe: August 10th-11th 2020
• Equipment needed: Discbine mower, self-propelled chopper, packing tractor, merger attachment, 3 forage trucks or wagons for two days. Self-powered 12-foot forage bagger.
• Due By: One week after Paul Davis indicates field conditions are ready.

Travel:  

Then vendor will need to travel to the USDA Dairy Forage Research Farm for the days it will take to harvest the alfalfa. The vendor must provide own diesel fuel to power their equipment.

Contractor’s Key Personnel:

The vendor’s personnel who perform the harvesting must have previous experience harvesting alfalfa and must be trained and certified to use the farm equipment.

Security Requirements:  

The vendor does not require a security clearance to complete the work. The vendor must check in and out each day with Paul Davis.

Submission of Quote:

Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF-18 (see attached). Include in quote the DUNs number and any/all charges/fees in the quoted price.

Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please email all quotes in writing to [email protected].   

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their DUNS# on their quote. 

Quotes must be received in writing by no later than March 24, 2020 at 1:00 PM Central Standard Time.

Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation are due no later than 1:00 PM CST on Friday, March 20, 2020. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.