Attachment_9_-_Questions_with_answers_0001.xlsx

Questions Template

It could take several months or longer, depending on mortality attrition rate. When animals are transported to the pasture, they normally arrive at the site in semi-trailer loads of approx. 32-36 head per load. BLM does not ship partial truck loads of animals to pasture locations.

2 SOL_140L0121R0001 3 General Overview 6 What requirements are there for replacing a horse? (Ex: how many horses need to die to justify transportation costs for replacement horses) The facility would need to have adequate inventory space per the locations determined carrying capacity in order not to exceed their maximum amount of animals. It could take several months or longer, depending on mortality attrition rate. When animals are transported to the pasture, they normally arrive at the site in semi-trailer loads of approx.

32-36 head per load. BLM does not ship partial truck loads of animals to pasture locations.

3 SOL_140L0121R0001 3 General Overview 6 Does the contractor have to cover any replacement horse costs?

There are no replacement cost to the contractor for animals that die.

4 SOL_140L0121R0001 4.a.5 9 Why will BLM need to gather horses from long term holding pastures held by the contractor? 1) On December 8, 2004, Public Law 108-341; Section 142, amended the 1971 Wild and Free-roaming Horses and Burros Act (Public Law 92-195) and requires the BLM to sell excess wild horses and burros which meet the following criteria:

➢ Animals that are 11 years of age and older; or

➢ Animals that have been offered unsuccessfully at three or more adoptions.

This may require BLM to remove animals that meet the above criteria from the contracted pasture during the course of the contract. All animals that are in poor health will be evaluated consistent with BLM policy for euthanasia due to acts of mercy, health, and safety. All wild horses that do not meet the above criteria wil remain in a free-roaming environment.

2) At some determined pasture locations, older pregnant mares can be shipped and foal at the pasture locations. Once the foals become old enough to wean, the animals must be gathered and placed in a working facility area so the foals can be weaned from their dams.

3) Relocation of animals dure to environmental issues (i.e., fire, drought, over stocking rate).

4) Contractor default of terms and conditions.

5 SOL_140L0121R0001 4.a.6 10 If the BLM terminates the contract for reasons of default on BLMs part, wouldn’t the responsibility to relocate horses rest on BLM?

If BLM terminates the contract for BLM's default of contract, BLM would cover the cost of relocating the horses.

6 SOL_140L0121R0001 4.b.2 10 Is the percentage of space needed for holding negotiable if the contractor is proposing enough land to accommodate all 10,000 Mustang? Assuming this RFP was built around a standard number delivered is under 2,000 horses usually? Can an equitable balance be sought? The BLM may award the contract just prior to or after the completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA). The purpose of the EA is to determine the property’s carrying capacity (an appropriate stocking level) and to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with the operation and maintenance of an ORP on the offered private and/or leased lands. The BLM can terminate the contract for convenience if:

(a) resource issues are identified during the environmental analysis process which cannot be effectively mitigated;

(b) an agreement cannot be reached as to an appropriate stocking level for the offered property (based on in-depth analysis of the best available data); or

(c) the contractor is unable or unwilling to comply with any mitigation or additional management or monitoring requirements identified in the EA.

The RFP was not built around a standard number of delivery of animals. It depends on the EA what the appropriate stocking level would be.

7 SOL_140L0121R0001 4.d.1.a 11 What is defined as "proof of control"?

Land Ownership Deed, Long-term Agreement (signed), or Land Purchase contract.

8 SOL_140L0121R0001 General 1-62. At what point will both BLM and Contractor be provided the opportunity to negotiate and better granulate the expectations and deliverables of the contract?

Please provide your best pricing in your proposal. If your proposal is in the competitive range and an apparent awardee, we may request to negotiate pricing.

9 SOL_140L0121R0001 3.e 47 In the RFP there is a reference to attachment #8 "Team and Key Personnel" however there was no "Attachment #8" on the Sam.gov portal provided documents. Is this document missing from the RFP documents? If not, can you please send me the document BLM is desirous of for reference?

The Cover Page indicates the proposal must be valid for at least 365 days. The proposal is due on 7/19/21. Thus, it must be valid until at least 7/19/22. However, the period of performance does not begin until 1/1/2023. Does that mean BLM intends to award the contracts before 7/19/22, but not deliver horses until Jan 2023 at the earliest?

If the rancher plans on converting from cattle to horses, but normally has winter cattle until April of each spring, will BLM hold off on delivering the initial set of horses until April 2023 - or does the ranch have to be ready for horses on Jan 2023, if a contract is awarded to the ranch?

Will there be a virtual Q&A for this solicitation

After getting a contract, if you realize you bid them to cheap, can you raise the price the second year?

The bid documents says that it will be 1/1/23 before the successful bidder will receive any horses, is that correct?

b. references Standard Form (SF)30 do we need to complete that, if so where is it located

The Past Performance is only if we've had a federal grant program within the last 3 years?

The Contractor's Experience information, does that have to be with a federal program too? Can it be with an individual?

I didn't see anything in the document I examined about when the BLM's contract would start and how much lead time a contractor would have to prepare for the arrival of the horses. Obviously I'm tied up for the next 21 months. Feel free to apply in the future, or take a chance now and by the time we get it approved (NEPA) it may be ready.

Those dates are amended in this amendment. However, after receipt of proposals, it could take up to 24 months before award and delivery of animals. Due to uncertainty of actual award dates because of NEPA, BLM will work with the offeror during the award phase for each parties' best timing to receive horses.