Corn Silage Chopping

Statement of Work (SOW) Project: 2026 Harvesting of Corn for Silage GENERAL INFORMATION 1.0 Scope of Work: Vendor to chop and bag corn from fields as corn silage at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) to fill four (3) to six (6) 200' long silage storage bags not to exceed 1200 total tons of corn silage. Bag diameter to be 8 foot, 9 foot (Preferred), or 10 foot and must be approved by ARU Farm Manager. Vendor will be required to supervise all areas of the operation in which they are responsible. 2.0 Background: The mission of the USDA - National Animal Disease Center (NADC) - Animal Resources Unit (ARU) in Ames, Iowa is to provide animal care and support services for internal users that rely on animals and animal products for research, testing, and training. The NADC - ARU has a requirement for chopping corn on Government owned land for corn silage. NADC has corn plots on-site from which the contractor will chop to supply no more than 1200 tons of corn silage. The corn silage is an integral part of the NADC feeding program for our Dairy herd. NOTE: Weather or other circumstances may result in less corn available to supply the noted 1200 ton of silage. In addition, NADC may request a specific cutting height on corn be maintained with regards to all or specific fields. CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS 3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks: Vendor responsibilities to include: - supply the chopper, trucks, wagons, tractors to pull wagons, silage bagger, silage table to load bagger, tractor power to operate required equipment, silage bags, fuel and labor for all the vendor supplied equipment - chop corn from fields as designated by ARU Farm Manager. The silage chopper to have a minimum of a 3-row head or equivalent cutting capacity and be equipped with a kernel processor. - delivery of silage from the fields to NADC area as designated by ARU Farm Manager and transfer loads to bagger - assure consistent particle size of ¾ inch - monitor/maintain moisture content of silage between 62-70% - document accurate record of loads and tonnage hauled by each vehicle/wagon - document accurate record of tonnage harvested from each field - assure silage is adequately packed in bags to eliminate air pockets that could result in poor quality silage. -- 1 of 4 -- 2 - assure airtight seal on packed silage bags - provide and apply silage inoculant (“PIONEER”BRAND 11A44 or equivalent) at the chopper -provide input on crop maturity and recommendation for harvest timeframe to meet specifications. A minimum of 1 out of every four (4) loads will be weighed by the vendor at an approved and licensed scale. An average weight will be determined and multiplied by the number of loads. If trucks or wagons, used to haul the silage, vary in size, the “fourth” load of each different vehicle will be weighed. All original weigh tickets and number of loads will be left with the Government Representative, at the conclusion of each day. NOTE: If vendor supplies weigh scale or trucks/wagons have weigh scales, then each truck/wagon will only need one load weighed. If scales are certified accurate by a governmental agency and proof of certification is supplied to NADC then weights will be accepted without secondary verification. The vendor will be responsible for documenting accurate count of number of loads and tonnage hauled by each vehicle. In addition, vendor will document tonnage taken off each field. Vendor shall be responsible for supervising all operations under their responsibility. This would include the maintenance and safety of all vendor owned equipment and supplies in addition to personnel safety. Contractor must provide evidence of previous direct experience providing equivalent service. Any sub-contractor involved in planting activities must also have documented evidence of ability and equipment to perform required service to meet the requirements of this solicitation based on the specifications outlined. Documented evidence must be included in the quote submitted for consideration. SPECIAL NOTE: BAGS WILL BE FILLED ON A LEVEL ROCK CHIP, GRAVEL OR CONCRETE BASE. 4.0 Government Furnished: The NADC will furnish if needed the following in conjunction with and throughout the duration of the above operation: one tractor (or skid loader) for cleaning silage spills from transfer of silage from wagons/trucks at bagging location, fuel for the NADC tractor/skid loader and sufficient labor to operate the tractor/skid loader. -- 2 of 4 -- 3 5.0 Deliverables / Schedule: Required Services (Tasks) Performance Standards Acceptable Quality Levels Methods of Surveillance *Chop at optimum Dry Matter (DM) *Assure consistent chopped particle size *Assure silage is tightly packed to eliminate air pockets *Track, record, and provide verified weight (tons) of silage harvested by truck/wagon load *Track, record, and provide verified weight (tons) of silage harvested per field Safety – personnel and government property 63-68% DM Particle size of ¾” No evidence large quantity of air or air pockets. Track accurate weight of silage hauled by each truck or wagon used. Track accurate weight of silage harvest by field. No personnel safety issues or damage to government property and/or equipment 62-70% 85% or greater at the ¾” size with none larger than 1 ½” size No evidence large quantity of air or air pockets. Records legible and easy to understand Records legible and easy to understand No reported safety issues Forage Moisture Test and/or forage probe Visual evaluation of chopped silage prior to bagging Visual evaluation of bag tension and construction (i.e. bulges, wrinkles, etc.) Certified weight scale Review of weight/load documents during harvest. Observation and safety reports 6.0 Travel: N/A 7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel: N/A -- 3 of 4 -- 4 8.0 Security Requirements: N/A 9.0 Data Rights: N/A 10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards: N/A 11.0 Place of Performance: 1920 Dayton Ave, Ames IA 50010 12.0 P…