Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Prison Ranch anticipates purchasing a minimum of 3,500 tons of alfalfa hay in large bales for this solicitation. Department of Corrections reserves the right to make opportunity buys if in the best interest of the State. Delivery will commence immediately following Notification of Award. Vendors are required to submit their available tonnage of both large and small bales of horse hay. A maximum of 500 tons of small bales will be allowed. 1.1 HORSE HAY SPECIFICATIONS: 1.1.1 Shall Be: 1.1.1.1 2023 or 2024 crop; first or second cutting; 1.1.1.2 Domestically grown; 1.1.1.3 Alfalfa hay should be harvested in a manor to maximize nutritional value; 1.1.1.4 No rain damage, moldy, weedy or over-mature hay is acceptable; 1.1.1.5 Free of any Russian thistle or prickly herb, “Cheat” grass, noxious weeds, bearded grain, any forage plant containing long spikelets, and any other weed or grass not considered healthy forage for horses; and 1.2 BALE REQUIREMENTS: 1.2.1 Shall 2.2.1.1 Large Bales: Acceptable sizes are 4’x4’x8’, 4’x3’x8’, 3’x3’x8’ 1.2.2 Shall Not Be: 1.2.2.1 Baled in “round bales” (round bales will be rejected); 1.2.2.2 Ragged, having varying lengths, have wires or twine of unequal tension, or be broken; 1.2.2.3 Consist of bales that are on top or bottom of uncovered stacks stored outside; and 1.2.2.4 Rain damaged or moldy...