Sol_140L0620R0043_Amd_0003.pdf

(x)

140L0620R0043 x x copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

DENVER CO 80225

LNI

POB 25047

BLDG. 50

DENVER FEDERAL CENTER

BLM OC NOC INFRASTR SEC (OC662)

07/26/20200003

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

07/01/2020

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

This solicitation is being issued for a Multiple Award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite

Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Drive Trapping of animals. Offeror's proposal must be in accordance with all requirements of this solicitation package.

By submission of proposal/offer, the Offeror certifies that their proposal/offer is valid for a minimum of 120 days after the solicitation closing date.

Legacy Doc #: BLM

Continued ...

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Theresa Coffenberry

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 29

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140L0620R0043/0003

1. The purpose of this amendment is to add text to the following paragraphs in Section 3, Statement of Work:

a. Paragraph 1.i.: BLM reserves the right to place Government and/or Contractor game cameras or other video equipment in the operational area

(trap site, holding facility, equipment, etc.) to document animal activity and response, capture techniques and procedures, and humane care during trapping. This does not apply to the general public, media, or other interested public wishing to video or photograph operations. No cameras, including video cameras, will be placed on the

Contractor's motorized drive trapping equipment by the BLM. All pictures obtained using game cameras or other video equipment during gather operations shall not be shared with public.

b. Paragraph h.5): Under no circumstances will the public, media, or media equipment be allowed in or on Contractor's capture equipment to include panels, gates, trucks, trailers, motorized drive trapping equipment, etc. The public, media, and their video/photography/recording and telephonic equipment must be at least 500 feet away from the trap during the trapping operation.

2. Incorporate the revised Statement of Work dated July 26, 2020. See below for the revised

Statement of Work with incorporated revisions as addressed above.

3. Offerors must include the signed SF 1449 and

SF 30s (Amendment 0001, 0002, and 0003) with their proposal submission.

4. All other terms and conditions remain the same.

Period of Performance: 09/01/2020 to 08/31/2025

The following attachments are invoked into this solicitation package, the Offeror is responsible for the reading and understanding of said attachments. Any questions must be submitted in accordance with the requirements in the

Instructions.

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 29

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140L0620R0043/0003

Attachment 1 - BLM Instruction Memorandum

2015-151, Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program for Wild Horse and Burro Gathers

Attachment 2 - United States Department of Labor

Wage Determinations (The contractor is responsible for reviewing each wage determination to ensure compliance with appropriate wages and health and welfare benefits. The contractor can access wage determinations on the Department of

Labor website at https://beta.sam.gov/).

Attachment 3 - Past Performance References

The following is the BLM Point of Contact for this Solicitation

Theresa Coffenberry

Contracting Officer

National Operations Center

Acquisitions Branch tcoffenberry@blm.gov

303-236-5437

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

SECTION 3 - STATEMENT OF WORK

WILD HORSE AND BURRO PROGRAM

DRIVE TRAPPING

July 26, 2020

1. General – Animal Drive Trapping

a. The work consists of the capture, handling, care, feeding, watering, and transportation of animals from the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming in accordance with applicable Federal state and local laws;

regulations; and policies.

b. The majority of performance under resulting contracts will be in support of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) operations, but task orders maybe issued to support other agency requirements, i.e. Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense.

These task orders must be coordinated through the Wild Horse & Burro (WHB) Program Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO). Only a warranted BLM CO is authorized to place task orders and the COR can only be a BLM certified COR. No other agency has the authority to place a task order against this contract.

c. The method of capture will be with the use of drive trapping in accordance with the standards identified in the most current version of the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) for Wild Horse and Burro Gathers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Instruction Memorandum 2015-151 which is incorporated into this solicitation and any resulting contract (Attachment 1). If sections of the Statement of Work (SOW) deviate from the CAWP, the SOW takes precedence over the CAWP. Extended animal care and handling for population growth suppression treatments or research activities may be required. This includes but not limited to restraint, transportation and releasing of animals back to the Herd Management Area (HMA), Wild Horse and Burro Territory (WHBT), Joint Management Area (JMA) or Complex.

d. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supplies, transportation, and equipment necessary to accomplish the individual task order requirements with the exception of a Government-provided restraint fly chute, as needed for population growth suppression, aging of animals, etc. The work shall be accomplished in a safe and humane manner and be in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 4700, policies and handbooks approved by the WHB Program in effect until they are rescinded, superseded or replaced a subsequent policy, the CAWP, the specifications and provisions included in this SOW, and any subsequent SOW documents issued with individual task orders.

e. The BLM and its Contractors are committed to the well-being, safety, and humane and responsible care of animals. The BLM and its Contractors shall ensure humane care and treatment for animals during all phases of the pre-gather, gather, and post-gather process. At all times, the care and treatment provided by the BLM and its Contractors shall be characterized by compassion and concern for the animal’s well-being and welfare. The BLM and its Contractors shall, to the maximum extent practicable, prevent or minimize fear, pain, distress, suffering, risk of injury, and death while carrying out activities authorized under applicable laws, regulations, policies (including but not limited to the attached CAWP), this contract, and associated Task Orders/SOWs.

f. The nature of the work to be performed under this contract may involve inherently hazardous situations. Further requirements are specified in the Task Order Statement of Work.

g. If required in an individual task order, prior to starting gather operations, the Contractor shall clean and remove all mud, dirt and plant material on all equipment and vehicles to remove any seeds and/or plant parts of noxious weeds and invasive non-native species. Cleaning shall include the thorough washing of vehicles and equipment including undercarriages.

h. If required, feeding of weed-free hay (grass and/or alfalfa) will be identified at the task order level. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing certifications to the COR and/or CO upon request.

i. BLM reserves the right to place Government and/or Contractor game cameras or other video equipment in the operational area (trap site, holding facility, equipment, etc.) to document animal activity and response, capture techniques and procedures, and humane care during trapping. This does not apply to the general public, media, or other interested public wishing to video or photograph operations. No cameras, including video cameras will be placed on the Contractor’s drive trapping equipment by the BLM. All pictures obtained using game cameras or other video equipment during gather operations shall not be shared with public.

j. Training requirements. In accordance with the standards identified in the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) for Wild Horse and Burro Gathers, BLM Instruction Memorandum 2015-151 (Attachment 1), all Contractors and their employees MUST complete BLM’s mandatory CAWP training annually. This training is accessible via the Department of Interior (DOI) Talent, seminar number 4700-13. DOI Talent is accessible at the following website, https://doitalent.ibc.doi.gov/. Contractors or its employees that do not have a DOI Talent account, will request an account and the Training (4700-13 WHB CAWP) through DOI Talent for non DOI Learners at the following website:

https://www.doi.gov/doitalent/nondoi_learners. Annual training certifications shall be provided to the base IDIQ COR and CO before execution of each option period, as well as, any new employees during the performance year. All personnel working on a task order must have completed the required training prior to performance.

k. The following internet links are applicable to the performance of this SOW for reference material, policy and regulation questions, education materials, gather updates and schedules, etc.:

BLM Homepage for Wild Horse and Burro Program

43 CFR 4700 – Protection, Management, and Control of Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros https://doitalent.ibc.doi.gov/ https://www.doi.gov/doitalent/nondoi_learners https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2011-title43-vol2/CFR-2011-title43-vol2-part4700 https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2011-title43-vol2/CFR-2011-title43-vol2-part4700

2. Information Specific to Each Project Area

a. Specific historical information concerning each Herd Area (HA), Herd Management Area (HMA), United States Forest Service Wild Horse and Burro Territory (WHBT), and/or Joint Management Area (JMA) will be provided with specific task order SOW. It should be noted that certain HA/HMA/WHBT/JMA may have a history of removals, population inventories, research activities and limited access areas. In addition, information regarding animals in declining or compromised condition, which may require special treatment, should be included as specified in individual task orders. Information regarding anticipated handling for research purposes should also be provided with the specific task order SOW.

b. Gather activities would be on the HA/HMA/WHBT/JMA/Complex or outside areas specified in the task order. However, trapping could be required on adjacent land, federal, state, tribal, military, or private property.

Per task order direction animals that are in a complex may be quoted by complex and not broken out per HA/HMA/WHBT/JMA due to movement of the animals in a complex.

c. As identified in the Task Order SOW the primary gather area may include up to 10 miles outside the HA/HMA/WHBT/JMA/Complex. Areas greater than 10 miles outside the primary gather area will be paid for as a separate line item in the task order. Any WHB complex task order could require quoting as a single gather area.

d. If trapping operations include work on military restricted areas, the BLM will assist in coordinating necessary clearances, such as background checks, equipment, and personnel access as well as air space clearances. The Contractor shall be required to finalize all required air space clearances, including providing aircraft and personal information upon request. These clearances and requirements will be provided at no additional cost to the Government. Any necessary clearances for access to other state, federal and tribal lands will be coordinated by the BLM and provided to the Contractor.

e. The permissions to use private lands and/or other private resources during task order performance will be coordinated between the Contractor and landowner and approved by the BLM. The need for these permissions will be identified in the Task Order SOW and will be obtained in writing. Permissions will allow for the Government and potential public access to the private properties.

f. Site Clearances: Prior to setting up a trap or temporary holding facility, BLM will conduct all necessary resource clearances (archaeology, wildlife, weeds, etc.). All proposed site(s) must be inspected by the appropriate government specialists. Once clearances have been obtained, the trap or temporary holding facility may be set up. Said clearances shall be coordinated and aged for by the COR/ PI.

3. The following sections are in accordance with the CAWP and subsequent BLM policy and guidance:

a. Facility Design (Temporary Holding Facility Area)

1) All trap and temporary holding facility areas and locations must be approved by the COR and/or the Project Inspector (PI) prior to construction and/or operation. The Contractor may also be required to change or move trap locations as determined by the COR/PI. All traps and temporary holding facilities not located on public land must have prior written approval of the landowner or other management agency.

2) Facility design to include traps, wings, alleys, handling pens, gates, and temporary holding facilities, etc. shall be constructed, maintained and operated to handle the animals in a safe and humane manner in accordance with the standards identified in the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) for Wild Horse and Burro Gathers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Instruction Memorandum 2015-151 (Attachment 1).

3) Unless otherwise specified in the specific task orders the majority of gather operations will require the construction of an off-site temporary holding facility(s) including a fly chute and load out chute for purposes of holding management activities, such as sorting and aging, providing medical care research, population growth suppression treatments, shipping, loading semi-trailers etc.

4) When moving the animals from one pasture/allotment to another pasture/allotment, the fencing wire will be let down for a distance that is approved by the COR on either side of the gate or crossing and additional flagging will be placed on either side of the opening as directed by the COR. No modification of existing fences will be made without authorization from the COR/PI and/or the landowner. The Contractor shall be responsible for restoring any fences that are modified back to the original condition.

5) Temporary holding and sorting pens shall be of sufficient size to prevent injury due to fighting and trampling. These pens shall also allow for captured animals to move freely and each animal will have access to water and feed simultaneously. Adequate pen space and feed distribution must be provided such that all animals in a pen can eat at the same time.

6) All pens will be capable of expansion when requested by the COR/PI.

7) Separate water troughs shall be provided for each pen where animals are being held.

Water troughs shall be constructed of such material (e.g., rubber, plastic, fiberglass, galvanized metal with rolled edges, and rubber over metal) to avoid injury to the animals. Pens designed holding more than 30 animals must have more than one water trough located at opposite ends of the pen. Trough size and placement must be approved by the COR.

8) Management practices may require the capture of a large percentage of the total population within the project area for purposes of selective removals based on predetermined criteria; sterilization or treating mares/jennies with fertility control drugs; gelding of stallions/jacks; or other treatments as specified in the Task Order SOW. Treated animals may need to be held until they can be released back into the HA/HMA/WHBT/JMA/Complex in such a manner as to not interfere with the gather operation. Holding treated animals may necessitate the need for additional holding pens built by the Contractor at the direction of the COR.

9) All traps, wings, and holding facilities shall be constructed, maintained, and operated to handle the animals in a safe and humane manner and be in accordance with the following:

a) If jute (or burlap) is hung on the fence posts of an existing wire fence in the trap wing, the wire should either be rolled up or let down for the entire length of the jute in such a way that minimizes the possibility of entanglement by animals unless otherwise approved by the COR/PI. No modification of existing fences will be made without authorization from the COR/PI. The Contractor shall be responsible for restoration of any fence modification which they have made back to its original condition.

b) The Contractor may be required to build a trail using personnel or domestic horses to create a trail through a fence line, crossing or gate, to avoid herded animals striking a fence and encourage movement through the site.

c) The trap site and temporary holding facility must be constructed of stout materials and must be maintained in proper working condition. Traps and holding facilities shall be constructed of portable panels, the top of which shall not be less than 6 feet high for horses and 5 feet for burros, and the bottom rail of which shall not be more than 12 inches from ground level. Height standards shall be maintained throughout the entire gather operation, even in soils that may cause panels to sink.

All traps and holding facilities shall be oval or round in design with rounded corners.

d) All portable loading chute sides shall be a minimum of 6 feet high and shall be fully covered on the sides with plywood, or metal without holes.

e) All alleyways that lead to the fly chute or sorting area shall be a minimum of 30 feet long and a minimum of 6 feet high for horses, and 5 feet high for burros and the bottom rail must not be more than 12 inches from ground level.

f) All gates and panels in the animal holding and handling pens and alleys of the trap site must be covered with plywood, burlap, plastic snow fence or like material approximately 4 feet in height to provide a visual barrier for the animals.

All materials shall be secured in place. The following guidelines apply:

(1) For exterior fences, material covering panels and gates must extend 48 inches from the top of the panel or gate toward the ground.

(2) For alleys and small internal handling pens, material covering panels and gates shall extend from no more than 12 inches below the top of the panel or gate toward the ground to facilitate visibility of animals and the use of flags and paddles during sorting.

(3) The initial capture pen may be left uncovered as necessary to encourage animals to enter the first pen of the trap.

g) Padding must be installed on the overhead bars of all gates and chutes (loading and fly) used in single file alleys.

h) An appropriate chute designed for restraining animals must be available and used for necessary procedures at the temporary holding facility. The government furnished portable fly chute to restrain, age, or provide additional care for the animals shall be placed in the alleyway in a manner as instructed by or in concurrence with the COR/PI.

i) There should be no holes, broken welds, gaps or openings, protruding surfaces, or sharp edges present in fence panels, latches, or other structures that may cause escape or possible injury. Panels or gates with broken welds may not be used.

j) Properly functioning hinged, self-latching gates must be used in all pens and alleys except for entry gates into the trap, which may be secured with tie ropes or chains. Self-latching function must be functional at all times. When latches are ajar due to animals shifting the gates, all efforts must be made by the Contractor to fix the gate in an expedited manner.

k) When dusty conditions occur within or adjacent to the trap or holding facility, the Contractor shall be required to wet down the ground with water. The Contractor and the COR will work together to identify available water sources. If a private water source is selected, the Contractor shall receive/coordinate with the owner and obtain written approval from the private owner and provide to the COR.

l) Under normal conditions, all animals gathered shall be sorted into holding pens as to age, size, temperament, sex, condition, ownership and whether animals are identified for removal as excess or retained in the HA/HMA/WHBT/JMA/Complex. These holding pens shall be of sufficient size to minimize, to the extent possible, injury due to fighting and trampling as well as to allow animals to move easily and have adequate access to water and feed. All pens will be capable of expansion should the COR/PI determine a need to adjust pen sizes. Alternate pens within the holding facility shall be furnished by the Contractor to separate mares or jennies with small, dependent foals, sick and injured animals, and private animals from the other animals.

m) Animals may be restrained to conduct procedures such as veterinary or fertility control treatment, freeze marking, microchipping, sterilization, drawing blood, collection of hair samples for genetic testing, testing for equine diseases, application of GPS collars and radio tags or other procedures described in the SOW. A portable fly chute will be provided by the government and the Contractor must have it available for use at the discretion of the COR. Alternate pens shall be furnished by the Contractor to hold animals if the specific gather requires that animals be released back into specified capture area(s) following selective removal and/or population growth suppression treatments. Either segregation or temporary marking and later segregation will be at the discretion of the COR/PI. The COR will determine if the corral size needs to be expanded due to animals staying longer, large number of foals captured, or other circumstances that would warrant a larger pen.

b. Drive Trapping, Roping, Animal Care, and Handling

1) The Contractor shall provide a minimum of two saddle horses and personnel experienced in roping of animals. Roping will be utilized only as directed by the

COR/PI.

2) Capture of animals by chemical immobilization is not authorized under this contract.

3) Capture of animals by fixed wing aircraft is not authorized in accordance with the Wild

Horse and Burro Act as amended.

4) No barbed wire material shall be used in the construction of any traps or holding facilities.

5) Dependent foals or weak/debilitated animals must be separated from other animals at the trap site, in a separate pen, to avoid injuries during transportation to the temporary holding facility. Separation of dependent foals from mares must not exceed four hours unless the COR/PI authorizes a longer time, or a decision is made to wean the foals.

The Contractor will notate the mare before foals are separated so that pairs can be re-established.

6) The Contractor’s personnel shall report any injuries/deaths and pre-existing animal health conditions observed during trapping operations to the COR/PI.

7) The COR/PI may utilize Contractor constructed temporary holding facilities when necessary in the performance of individual task orders for such management actions as population growth suppression treatments, research, and/or selecting animals to return to the range.

8) In performance of individual task orders, the Contractor may be directed by the COR to transport and release animals back to the range.

9) At the discretion of the COR/PI the Contractor may be required to delay shipment of animals until the COR/PI inspects the animals at the trap site and/or the temporary holding facility prior to transporting them to the designated facility.

10) The following willful acts of abuse, are prohibited:

a) Hitting, kicking, striking, or beating any animal in an abusive or harsh or unnecessary manner.

b) Dragging a recumbent animal across the ground without a sled, slide board, or slip sheet. Ropes used for moving the recumbent animal must be attached to the sled, slide board or slip sheet unless being loaded.

c) Deliberate driving of animals into other animals, closed gates, panels, or other equipment.

d) Deliberate slamming of gates and doors on animals.

e) Excessive noise (e.g., constant yelling) or sudden activity causing animals to become unnecessarily flighty, disturbed or agitated.

f) Excessive or improper use of electric prods.

c. Wild Horse and Burro Care and Biosecurity

1) On-call or on-site veterinary support may be provided for all drive trapping gathers, as deemed necessary by BLM. Veterinary support will be under the direction of the COR/PI. The onsite and/or on-call veterinarian will consult on matters related to animal health, handling, welfare, and euthanasia at the request of the COR/PI. All decisions regarding medical treatment or euthanasia will be made by the COR/PI.

2) Health records for all saddle and pilot horses used on gathers shall be provided to the COR, upon request including:

a) Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificate, within 30 days of starting each gather. A shorter time may be required for horses entering the state if required by state regulations at the time).

b) Proof of:

(1) A negative test for equine infectious anemia (Coggins or EIA ELISA test) within 6 or 12 months, depending on state regulations.

(2) Vaccination for tetanus, eastern and western equine encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, equine herpes virus, influenza, Streptococcus equi, and rabies within 12 months.

3) Saddle horses and pilot horses must not be removed from the gather operation (such as for an equestrian event) and allowed to return unless they have been observed to be free from signs of infectious disease for a period of at least three weeks and a new Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is obtained after three weeks and prior to returning to the gather.

4) Horses not involved with gather operations should remain at least 300 yards from any animals, saddle horses, and pilot horses being actively used on a gather.

5) Any animals, saddle horses, and pilot horses showing signs of infectious disease must be examined by the on-site/on-call veterinarian.

a) Any saddle or pilot horses showing signs of infectious disease (e.g. fever, nasal discharge or illness) must be removed from service and isolated from other animals on the gather until such time as the horse is free from signs of infectious disease and approved by the on-site/on-call veterinarian to return to the gather.

b) Any animals showing signs of infectious disease will normally not be mixed with groups of healthy animals at the temporary holding facility, or during transport.

d. Transportation and Animal Care

1) The Contractor, per the direction of the COR and facility manager, shall schedule shipments of animals to arrive during the normal operating hours of the designated facility. Shipments scheduled to arrive after hours, weekends or federal holidays require prior facility manager approval coordinated by the COR.

2) The COR in consultation with the Contractor shall consider the condition and size of the animals, weather conditions, distance to be transported, or other factors when planning for the transport of captured animals. The final decision to transport animals will be made by the COR.

3) The BLM will coordinate any brand and/or veterinary inspection services required for captured animals. Prior to shipping across state lines, the BLM or its veterinary advisor will be responsible for coordinating with the receiving state veterinarian to transport the animals without a health certificate or Coggins test if approved. Under some circumstances as specified in the SOW holding animals at trap or temporary holding facility locations may be necessary to allow for testing for equine infectious anemia if required by state or federal animal health officials.

4) Fueling operations shall not take place within 1,000 feet of animals, non-Contractor personnel, designated parking or public observation areas or equipment other than the refueling truck related equipment, and Contractor personnel.

5) Transportation may involve moving the gathered animals to a designated preparation facility from either the trap site or temporary holding facility as identified in the specific Task Order/Statement of Work (SOW). Transportation time must not exceed 10 hours under normal driving conditions. Transportation will be done in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) for Wild Horse and Burro Gathers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Instruction Memorandum 2015-151 (Attachment 1).

e. Euthanasia or Death

1) The COR/PI will determine if an animal must be euthanized and may direct the Contractor to destroy the animal in accordance with the or current policy (Attachment

1) and dispose of the carcasses in accordance with state and local laws. Any Contractor personnel performing this task shall be trained as described in the above Instruction Memorandum.

2) The Contractor may be directed by the COR/PI to assist the on-site or on-call vet in moving a dead or euthanized animal for purposes of conducting a necropsy. A necropsy/vet box will be provided to the Contractor by BLM to be made available at any assigned gather operation.

3) Euthanasia Procedure during Gather Operations

a) An authorized, properly trained, and experienced person must be available at all times during gather operations. In addition, as a firearm appropriate to carry out euthanasia must be available at the trap and holding facilities.

b) Euthanasia must be performed according to American Veterinary Medical Association euthanasia guidelines (2013) using the method of a gunshot.

c) The decision to euthanize and method of euthanasia must be directed by the

COR/PI who must be on site and may consult with the on-site/on-call veterinarian. In event and rare circumstance that the COR/PI is not available, the Contractor if properly trained may euthanize an animal.

d) All carcasses will be disposed of by the Contractor and/or BLM in accordance with state and local laws and as directed by the COR/PI.

e) At the direction of the COR, any carcasses left on the range should not be placed in washes or riparian areas where future runoff may carry debris into ponds or waterways. Trenches or holes for buried animals should be dug so the bottom of the hole is at least six feet above the water table and four to six feet of level earth covers the top of the carcass with additional dirt mounded on top where possible.

Trenches or holes used for carcass disposal must be appropriately flagged and identified for safety purposes and may not be dug in advance and allowed to remain open before or after the disposal of a carcass.

f. Safety and Security

1) The nature of work performed under this contract may involve inherently hazardous situations.

2) The primary concern of the Contractor shall be the safety of all personnel involved and the humane handling of all animals. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to provide appropriate safety and security measures to prevent loss, injury, or death of captured animals until delivery to the final destination. This responsibility will not be used to exclude, or limit public and media observation as long as current BLM policies are followed.

3) The Contractor will assume all responsibility and liability for all Contractor personnel, invited guests, family members or other individuals the Contractor allows within the gather working areas. The BLM will assume all responsibility and liability for all BLM personnel and BLM invited guests.

4) The BLM reserves the right to remove from service immediately any Contractor personnel or Contractor-furnished equipment which, in the opinion of the COR and/or CO, violates contract rules, are unsafe, or otherwise unsatisfactory. In this event, BLM will notify the Contractor to furnish replacement personnel or equipment within 24 hours of notification. All such replacement must be approved in advance by the COR and/or CO.

5) Contractor personnel who utilize firearms for purposes of euthanasia will be required to possess proof of completing a State or National Rifle Association firearm safety certification or equivalent (conceal carry, hunter safety, etc.). Contractor shall provide certification to the COR or CO upon request. In accordance with IM 2015-070 personnel performing euthanasia must be property trained in euthanasia techniques by a licensed veterinarian.

6) All accidents and injuries, involving animals or people, that occur during the performance of any task order shall be immediately reported to the COR/PI.

7) The Contractor must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

g. Communications

1) The Contractor shall have the means to communicate with the COR/PI and all

Contractor personnel engaged in the capture of animals utilizing a VHF/FM Transceiver or VHF/FM portable Two-Way radio. The Contractor shall obtain the necessary FCC licenses for the radio system.

2) The Contractor shall be responsible for furnishing all communication equipment for

Contractor use. BLM will provide the frequency for radio communications.

3) The Contractor shall provide daily gather activity report information to the COR/PI upon request of the COR/PI. if they were not present during any aspect of gather operations.

h. Public and Media

1) Due to heightened public interest in animal gathers, the BLM expects an increasing number of requests from the public and media to view the operations. All requests received by the Contractor to view gather operation shall be forwarded to the BLM, who will provide a person with the expertise necessary to escort the public and media.

The safety of the animals, BLM employees, Contractor crew, Contractor’s private animals, and the media and public will be the first priority in determining whether a viewing opportunity will be provided, and if so, the time, location, and conditions associated with the viewing opportunity.

2) When providing a viewing area for the media and the public, the Contractor will establish this in accordance with instructions from the COR/PI and current wild horse and burro program policy and guidance. BLM’s observation policy will be discussed with the Contractor during the pre-work conference.

3) Member(s) of the viewing public or media whose conduct interferes with the gather operation in a way that threatens the safety of the animals, BLM employees, Contractor crew (including animals), the media, or the public will be warned once to terminate the conduct. If the conduct persists, the offending individual(s) will be asked to leave the viewing area and the gather operation. The COR/PI may direct the Contractor to temporarily shut down the gather operation until the situation is resolved.

4) If a drone or other aircraft is observed in the immediate area of the gather or holding facilities, the COR/PI will direct the Contractor to temporarily shut down the operations until the situation is deemed safe.

5) Under no circumstances will the public, media, or media equipment be allowed in or on Contractor’s capture equipment to include panels, gates, trucks, trailers, motorized drive trapping equipment, etc. The public, media, and their video/photography/recording and telephonic equipment must be at least 500 feet away from the trap during the trapping operation.

6) The public and media may be escorted closer than 500 feet to the trap site if approved by the COR and in consultation with the Contractor before or after the gather operation. Public and media observation at the holding facility will be staged at such a distance that does not disturb the animals or interfere with holding facility operations.

At the conclusion of the daily gather operations, including the feeding and care of the animals, the Contractor and COR may provide a tour around the perimeter of the holding facility.

7) During gather operations the Contractor and/or their crew members shall not post any information or images to social media networks or release any information to the news media or the public regarding the activities being conducted under this contract. All communications regarding BLM management, including but not limited to media, public and local stakeholders, are to come from the BLM unless the Contractor is expressly authorized to give interviews, etc.

4. Additional Information:

a. Government Furnished Property/Material/Supplies

1) The Government is not obligated to furnish any real or personal property or data under this contract, unless otherwise specified herein or in the individual task order requirements. The Contractor does not have the authority to acquire any real or personal property or data at the Government's expense under this contract unless specifically stated otherwise in this contract.

2) The Government shall provide a Government furnished fly chute, slip sheet or sled for loading recumbent animals, when necessary. If additional Government furnished equipment is required, such as boats for transporting burros, it will be addressed in individual task order SOWs.

3) The Contractor shall be responsible for the security and care of all Government

Furnished Property until returned to the BLM as applicable.

b. Contractor Furnished Property/Material/Supplies

1) As specified herein, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to provide all necessary capture equipment, vehicles (semi and pickup trucks with associated trailers), hay, water, troughs, panels, gates, loading chute, etc., and any other item(s) needed for the performance of this contract/task orders. The proper operation, service and maintenance of all Contractor furnished property is the responsibility of the Contractor.

2) If inclement weather or poor road conditions occur during trapping operations, the

Contractor will need the necessary equipment to safely transport animals to the designated facility.

3) The Contractor shall provide a radio transceiver to ensure communications are maintained with the BLM COR/PI when driving or transporting the animals. The Contractor needs to ensure communications can be made with the BLM and be capable of operating in the 150 MHz to 174 MHz frequency band, frequency synthesized, CTCSS 32 sub-audible tone capable, operator programmable, 5kHz channel increment, minimum 5 watts carrier power.

4) The Contractor shall be required to have a firearm adequate for euthanizing animals in accordance with the BLM Animal Health, Maintenance, Evaluation, and Response Instruction Memorandum, 2015-070 (Attachment 1) or current BLM policy.

c. Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this SOW. The plan shall address the Contractor's processes to ensure quality control during performance of services. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor’s quality control program is the means to assure work complies with the SOW and terms and conditions in the contract. The Contractor shall provide their Quality Control Plan no later than 30 days after contract award. Throughout the life of this contract any proposed changes will be provided to the CO for written approval.

d. Definitions/Acronyms

Animals – Wild Equines protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, along with trespass or feral livestock.

Base Daily Rate - The Base Daily Rate (BDR) includes financial compensation to cover the Contractor’s daily expenses plus a reasonable profit as identified in Section B- Supplies or Services and Price/Costs table. BDR expenses will include total Contractor costs pertaining to the gather for a day including salaries, insurance, equipment, maintenance, flight costs, etc. The COR will determine whether the Contractor will receive either the BDR or the Per Head Unit Drive Trap payment. If BLM asks the Contractor to stop gather operations for a day or more due to circumstances that were of no fault of the Contractor, the BDR will apply.

The following will not authorize the use of a BDR:

1. Weather suspension.

2. Equipment maintenance and/or repairs.

3. Moving the trap to another location.

4. Not working on Sundays or holidays

It is at the discretion of the COR to authorize a BDR for the upcoming gather day(s).

The Contractor may be requested to perform additional animal handling tasks that are separate from routine capture and care, in order to complete necessary management actions, for which a BDR may apply. These additional handling tasks may include but not be limited to aging, sorting, holding, restraint for fertility control treatments, sterilization, freezemarking, blood draw, collection of hair samples for genetic testing, testing for equine diseases, application of GPS collars and radio tags, hauling and releasing animals back to the range, etc.

Some gathered animals may be in poor health and require special treatment. This may result in smaller numbers gathered over a longer period of time before management objectives are attained. Under these circumstances, the BDR could be used. This will need to be addressed in the Task Order/SOW and during the pre-work conference.

There may be days when circumstances allow only a few animals to be gathered. These circumstances may include but are not limited to difficult to capture animals, few animals located in large areas, and total removal, etc. The COR may use his/her discretion to authorize the BDR.

Complex - Management area made of multiple HMAs under similar management for administration generally shared common boundaries.

Herd Area (HA) – Geographic areas identified as habitat used by wild horses and burros at the time the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 was enacted.

Herd Management Area (HMA) – Geographic areas established in those HAs within which wild horses and burros can be managed for the long term.

Joint Management Area (JMA) – Shared management area including HMA(s) and WHBT(s) where BLM and USFS jointly manage the animals together.

Population Growth Suppression - Methods that can be used to decrease the average per-capita population growth rates, including but not limited to fertility control vaccines, intrauterine devices, and humane sterilization.

Project Inspector (PI) – Project Inspectors (PI) can be identified in specific task order SOWs.

Project Inspectors shall assist task order CORs in examining and inspecting the Contractors’ equipment and services to ensure they conform to contract requirements.

Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros – All unbranded and unclaimed horses and burros that use public lands within 10 contiguous Western States as all or part of their habitat, or that have been removed from these lands by the authorized officer, or have been born of wild horses or burros in authorized BLM facilities, but have not lost their status under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.

Wild Horse and Burro Territory (WHBT) - Lands of the National Forest System which are identified by the Forest Service Chief as lands which were territorial habitat of wild free-roaming horses and/or burros at the time of the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971

United States Forest Service (USFS) – Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands.

5. Contract Administration

a. Responsibilities:

1) Contracting Officer (CO) - Government representative with authority to approve and bind federal expenditures. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this contract, the CO shall be the only individual authorized to:

a) Issue task orders,

b) Accept nonconforming work,

c) Waive any requirement of this contract, or

d) Modify any term or condition of this contract.

e) Any revisions to the contract or task order statement of work and terms and conditions must be formalized by a proper contractual document executed by the

CO.

f) Designate a COR. Upon designation the CO will notify the Contractor in writing of names, duties, and limitations of appointed CORs.

2) Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

IDIQ Contract COR – The basic contract will have a COR designated by the CO.

The IDIQ Contract COR is an individual within the On-Range Branch of the National Wild Horse and Burro Program located in the BLM Nevada State Office (Reno), will be appointed by the CO at time the contract(s) are awarded. The Contract COR will be responsible for coordinating drive trapping between the BLM Field Offices, the National Wild Horse and Program, and the National Operation Center (NOC). If there are technical problems and/or questions between the Task Order COR and the Contractor, one or both will contact the Contract COR.

Task Order COR - Additional On-Site/Task Order CORs will be appointed by the CO upon issuance of each specific task order.

Any reference to COR in this SOW is inclusive of the IDIQ Contract COR and Task Order COR.

COR/TO COR and PI, when necessary, responsibilities can include the following, but are not all-inclusive:

a) Schedule and facilitate the pre-work and close-out conferences with the Contractor and associated gather crew.

b) Assures trapping operations are conducted in compliance with this Drive Trapping

IDIQ SOW, CAWP, policy and individual task order requirements.

c) In emergency situations, will provide procedures to stabilize compromised animals such as rationed feeding and watering at the trap and/or temporary holding facility area.

d) Prior to setting up a trap and/or temporary holding facility area on public land, the

BLM will conduct all necessary resource clearances (archaeological, weeds, threaten and endangered species, etc.) for the site location selected. Once all necessary clearances are obtained, the trap or temporary holding facility may be constructed.

e) Examines, inspects the Contractors’ equipment and services to ensure they conform to contract requirements and accepts services.

f) Through coordination with the CO, ensures that corrective action is taken prior to continuance of operations in the case of any Contractor exhibiting unsafe or inhumane behavior toward the animals.

g) At the conclusion of the task order initiate evaluation of Contractor through the

Contractor Performance Assessment Reports System (CPARS). A CPARS will be required at the conclusion of each task order performance.

h) Manages all technical aspects of gather operations. Provides technical instruction and guidance. Technical direction is defined to include:

(1) Directions to the Contractor which redirect the contract effort, shifts work emphasis between work areas or tasks, requires pursuit of certain lines of inquiry, fills in details or otherwise serves to accomplish the contractual Statement of Work.

(2) Providing written/verbal information to the Contractor which assists in the interpretation of drawings, specifications,…