GRASS HAY SMALL BALES

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has a requirement feed in Ames, IA 50010. Grass hay must be Grade No.2 or upper Grade No. 3, according to standards of the Hay Market Task Force of America Forage and Grassland Council. Relative Feed Value Index (RFV) should be 70-100; Crude Protein should be 7-14% on dry matter basis; Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) should be less than 49% on a dry matter basis; and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) should be less than 65% on a dry matter basis. The hay must be from year 2020 or 2021 crop, and meet the specifications listed below. The composition of the hay is to be of no more than 50% composition of any one type of the following grasses: Orchard Grass, Brome (Smooth or Meadow), Timothy, Limestone Little Bluestem, Western Wheatgrass, Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, Prairie Cordgrass, Indian Grass, and side-oats grama. Hay must be greater than fifty per cent (50%) leaves and green; contain less than 2% foreign material; be free of mold, musty odor, dust, etc. No hay will be accepted that has been rained on, is moldy, weathered, weedy, wet, shows signs of insect damage or shows poor construction. This includes hay that shows signs of storage in direct contact with floor such as dirt, gravel, discoloration, moisture damage, and/or mold. All hay is to be harvested from fields that are not grazed and should be from fields located on one farm or close proximity. All hay delivered must be of consistent composition from first to last load. The purpose of this sources sought is to inquire if there are vendors available to provide the above. The NAICS Code is 111940. Solicitation number 2020-SS78 In response to this sources sought please submit information on your company's capabilities to provide this type of product. Please also provide information on whether your company is the manufacturer or a distributor and a small or large business in accordance with the NAICS code listed in this sources sought. The Government acknowledges that responses to this sources sought are not binding offers. The information obtained will assist in our market research and future solicitation processes. The purpose of this sources sought is solely to obtain information and sources for our future requirement. Please send responses to this Sources Sought are by, August 15th, 2020 at 10:00 AM CST