Horse Feed Pellets

Overview South Australia Police (SAPOL) invites responses from suitably qualified suppliers for the provision of concentrate feed for horses within the Mounted Operations Unit (MOU), including the ongoing supply and delivery of feed that meets SAPOL's nutritional and operational requirements. Purpose The procurement aims to ensure the health, wellbeing and performance of the MOU's 32 horses through the supply of a high-quality, fibre-based feed that supports digestive health, provides appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation, and complies with specified equine nutritional standards. Scope SAPOL seeks the supply and delivery (or supplier collection arrangement where mutually agreed) of horse feed pellets for the Mounted Operations Unit. The scope includes: Feed pellets suitable for operational horses Ongoing supply throughout the contract term Nutritional analysis and supporting documentation Product information sheets and ingredient declarations Delivery in nominated packaging formats Functional Requirements The horse feed pellets must: Support the nutritional demands of operational working horses Assist in maintaining condition, energy levels and overall wellbeing Support gastrointestinal health and feed efficiency Be readily integrated into SAPOL's existing feeding program Nutritional Requirements Grain free and sugar free, to support horses affected by, or susceptible to, Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM) Support for both gastric and hindgut health, including ingredients that promote gastrointestinal stability, reduce the risk of acidosis, reduce the risk of ulceration and support digestive function; inclusion of prebiotics, postbiotics or equivalent digestive support products is preferred Appropriate levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and iodine, with inclusion of chromium viewed favourably Primarily derived from digestible fibre sources with controlled starch levels to minimise hindgut disruption A validated mycotoxin sequestration system, such as aluminosilicates or equivalent technology Packaging Requirements Feed must be supplied in one of the following formats: Bulk bags of approximately 500 kg Individual bags not exceeding 15 kg Indicative Consumption Approximately 32 horses, with an average weight of 700 kg Contractor Requirements Nutritional Analysis Provide independent nutritional analysis Provide feed formulation details Demonstrate assessment using FeedXL or equivalent recognised equine nutrition software Provide evidence that the proposed feed can satisfy recognised equine dietary requirements and be incorporated into SAPOL's feeding program Supply Requirements Maintain an ongoing and uninterrupted supply of feed Provide at least 60 days written notice of any formulation changes and provide revised nutritional analysis for SAPOL approval prior to supplying the amended product Maintain contingency arrangements for supply disruptions Provide lead times for ordering and delivery Quality Requirements Maintain quality assurance processes covering consistent product formulation, ingredient traceability and batch quality controls Comply with applicable Australian feed manufacturing requirements SAPOL reserves the right to undertake product sampling, feed trials and product assessment as part of the evaluation process. Workplace Health and Safety Maintain WH&S controls covering manufacturing, storage, handling, transport and delivery activities Suppliers may be requested to provide supporting WH&S documentation. SAPOL Requirements Agree that personnel may be required to undergo SAPOL security screening and police checks where applicable Agree that personnel may be required to complete Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest declarations Contract Terms and Conditions This procurement is intended to establish a single supplier arrangement for an initial one-year term, with two extension options of two years each at SAPOL's discretion.