Corn Silage Chopping

Statement of Work (SOW)

To procure services for chopping and bagging corn from fields as corn silage at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) to fill four to six 200' long silage storage bags, not to exceed 1200 total tons.

• Vendor to chop and bag corn from designated fields as corn silage.

• Fill four to six 200' long silage storage bags with a diameter of 8, 9, or 10 feet (preferred).

• Supervise all areas of operation for which the vendor is responsible.

• Deliver silage from fields to the NADC area and transfer loads to the bagger.

• Supply chopper, trucks, wagons, tractors, silage bagger, silage table, tractor power, silage bags, fuel, and labor.

• Silage chopper must have a minimum 3-row head or equivalent cutting capacity and a kernel processor.

• Assure consistent particle size of ½ inch.

• Monitor and maintain moisture content of silage between 62-70%.

• Document accurate records of loads, tonnage hauled, and tonnage harvested per field.

• Assure silage is adequately packed in bags to eliminate air pockets.

• Provide and apply silage inoculant (PIONEER BRAND 11A44 or equivalent).

• Provide input on crop maturity and recommend harvest timeframe.

• Weigh a minimum of 1 out of every four loads at an approved and licensed scale.

• Provide evidence of previous direct experience providing equivalent service.

• Period: August 1 to October 30, based on corn maturity and weather. Harvest must commence within 4 business days of request.

• Place: 1920 Dayton Ave, Ames IA 50010

• One tractor or skid loader for cleaning silage spills.

• Fuel for the NADC tractor/skid loader.

• Sufficient labor to operate the tractor/skid loader.

• Technical acceptability, delivery, price.

• Stephen Sterle (Stephen.sterle@usda.gov)

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for the Harvesting NCAH Corn Silage contract. It outlines the Government's methods for ensuring the contractor performs services in accordance with contract requirements and performance metrics. The QASP is used to ensure the Government receives the quality of services specified and only pays for acceptable levels of service.

• Purpose: To ensure systematic quality assurance methods are used in administering the Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC).
• Scope: To provide Government surveillance oversight of the Contractor's quality control efforts.
• Government Resources: Defines roles for the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Responsibilities: Outlines duties of the CO and COR in contract administration and surveillance.
• Methods of QA Surveillance: Includes Customer Feedback, Periodic Inspection, and 100% Inspection (Forage Test Analysis).
• Identified QA Surveillance Items: Details specific services (tasks), performance standards, acceptable quality levels, and methods of surveillance for:
  • Chopping at optimum Dry Matter (DM)
  • Consistent chopped particle size
  • Tightly packed silage to eliminate air pockets
  • Accurate tracking and provision of verified weight of silage harvested
  • Safety of personnel and government property
• Documentation: Requirements for maintaining a complete Quality Assurance file.

This QASP details how the Government will monitor and evaluate the contractor's performance. Bidders should review the performance standards, acceptable quality levels, and surveillance methods to understand the specific quality expectations and how their performance will be assessed. This information is crucial for developing a compliant and competitive proposal and for understanding post-award performance requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for "Corn Silage Chopping" services. The USDA ARS Acquisition and Property Department is seeking quotes for this service.

• The primary service required is Corn Silage Chopping.

• The period of performance is from 06/01/2026 to 11/30/2026.

• Delivery is required by 11/30/2026.

• The service is to be performed at the MWA National Animal Disease Center in Ames, IA.

• Award Type: Firm-fixed price contract.

• The government intends to make one award.

• Quotes are due by close of business on 05/29/2026 at 1600 CT.

• Quotes must be submitted via email to james.porter@usda.gov with the subject line "Quote for 1232SA26Q0457."

• The period for acceptance of quotes is 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of quotes.

• Evaluation will be based on Price and Technical Acceptability.

• Price evaluation includes total quoted amount, discounts, shipping, and any other quoted pricing.

• Technical Acceptability will be rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the quoter's ability to meet requirements.

• Past Performance will also be evaluated.

• The government will evaluate quotations based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria.

• Questions should be submitted via email to james.porter@usda.gov by 05/22/2026 at 4:00 PM Central Time.

• The document does not explicitly state any small business set-aside requirements, but includes various clauses related to small business concerns.

• This solicitation incorporates numerous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses and provisions by reference.

• Attachment 1 – Statement of Work, Attachment 2 – Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), and Attachment 3 – Wage Determinations are referenced for complete requirements.

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

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued under the Service Contract Act, establishing minimum wage and fringe benefit rates for various occupations in Story County, Iowa. It serves as a reference for contractors to ensure compliance with labor laws on federal contracts.

• Lists numerous occupations categorized by field (e.g., Administrative Support, Automotive Service, Health Occupations).
• Specifies the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare rates and provisions for paid sick leave (EO 13706) and minimum wage (EO 13658).
• Includes notes on specific requirements such as night pay, Sunday pay, hazardous pay differentials, and uniform allowances.
• Outlines the process for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates (SF-1444) if an occupation is not listed.

Bidders must use this document to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services on a federal contract in Story County, Iowa. It is crucial for accurate cost estimation and proposal development to ensure compliance with federal labor regulations.