Presolicitation Notice for MINIDOKA BARLEY STRAW BALES
1. Point of Contact. Rebecca Fentzke, Contract Specialist, rebecca_fentzke@ibc.doi.gov, or Anglelina Clements angelina_clements@ibc.doi.gov
2. Set Asides. Total Small Business.
Codes for Services or Supplies.
NAICS 111940 Hay Farming Size-$2.5 million Environmental System Protection-Air Quality Support. PSC 8710 (Forage and Feed)
3. Project Summary
The Preserve Three Historic Structures (P3HS) project will restore and preserve three key structures at Minidoka National Historic Site (MIIN): the Root Cellar, Barrack, and Mess Hall. These buildings are among the few remaining resources directly associated with the WWII-era Minidoka War Relocation Center, and their preservation is essential for interpreting the site's history and supporting ongoing education and commemoration.
The Root Cellar's historic insulating and roofing assembly includes wood lath, barley straw bales, asphalt felt paper, and earth cover. The intention of this acquisition is to source the straw necessary to reconstruct the Root Cellar roof assembly. The replacement bales must match the original material, dimensions, and construction method. The straw bales are a character-defining feature and are visible from the interior of the structure.
I. MATERIALS
The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, and equipment to furnish and stack 2,500 wire-bound barley straw bales in a designated spot on NPS property. The Contractor shall meet the quantities, specifications, and requirements below:
A. Straw bales. Each bale is defined as 14" (tall) x 18" (wide) x 48" (long). Each bale shall be tied twice running the long 48" dimension, commonly referred to as a 2-string square bale. The straw bales shall be made from barley.
B. The Contractor shall furnish 2,500 usable barley straw bales. "Usable" means bales meeting the specifications in this Scope of Work and passing inspection under Section III.
C. Bales shall be bound with wire.
D. Preference for long straw from a conventional combine over short straw from a rotary combine.
E. Prior to stacking and the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, the Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) with a work plan that includes the source of the straw, species, and storage plan.
A review of available sources determined that only one vendor can meet this requirement. Due to SOLITAIRE 6, LLC is the business entity established by the local agricultural producer who currently leases and cultivates National Park Service agricultural land at Minidoka National Historic Site. The proposed contractor will grow the barley, acquire the specialized metal-baling equipment, produce the required wire-tied bales, and stack and store the completed material on-site.
The Government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract to SOLITAIRE 6, LLC to fulfill this requirement. A sole source determination has been completed for this acquisition in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901. The anticipated award date is October 19, 2026.
Questions regarding this acquisition should be directed to the Contracting Officer.
