Attachment_7_Q___A_revised_10-18-2023_Amd_0005_140P8323Q0087_0005.pdf

Solicitation no. 140P8323Q0087, Amendment 0004 Equine Boarding

Attachment 7 Questions & Answers (rev. 10/18/2023) North Cascades National Park

The following are questions/answers to supplement the Statement of Work in the solicitation, and in some cases may provide some different information than what is stated in the Statement of

Work. Where there are differences, quoters shall make pen and ink changes in those sections in the Statement of Work with the information provided in this Q and A.

QUESTION 1: Your solicitation mentions 8-12 equines, can you be more specific as to what type of horses these are? For example, are they small ponies, working police horses, feral mustangs, draught horses?

ANSWER: These are full-sized riding horses and pack mules.

QUESTION 2: Are these horses broken? If not, are they well handled? (used to haltering, hoof picking, bandaging, blanketing etc.)

ANSWER: These animals in general are very tame and easy to catch and handle. Most of them will stand quietly at liberty out in the pasture for grooming. A few of them will need to be caught and tied up if more thorough inspections or vetting are required. There occasionally will be exceptions to this as we acquire new or young animals but there are no outstanding behavioral issues with any of our current animals. They are used to being handled as a herd, so if one needs to be separated from the herd for some reason, it is advised to bring along a buddy to keep them calm.

QUESTION 3: Will they be expected to be blanketed while turned out? (And if so will blankets be provided)

ANSWER: The animals are unaccustomed to being blanketed and should not be unless health concerns or other issues mandate it. The NPS can provide blankets for all animals at the vendor’s request, but if provided the vendor will be responsible for maintaining blankets in a clean, well-maintained condition. If a blanket is used, it must be removed every 48 hours and the animal fully inspected.

QUESTION 4: NPS provided quote with provided hay…what does that actually mean?

ANSWER: Please see Attachment 2 Forms to Return with Quote. In the Price

Schedule, there is a column for price per animal per day with Vendor provided hay and also a column for price per animal for NPS provided hay. You will fill in your price if the Government (NPS – National Park

Service) provides the hay, and also, as the vendor, the price if you provide the hay.

QUESTION 5: Are there two quotes we have to provide: NPS and Vendor?

ANSWER: See above answer for Question 4.

Attachment 7 Questions & Answers (rev. 10/18/2023) North Cascades National Park

QUESTION 6: Does this contract have a preferred budget for this project?

ANSWER: The contract is firm, fixed price, not cost reimbursement. The vendor will be paid no greater than the award price for boarding services as described in the solicitation.

QUESTION 7: I have stalls with runs available, however, my pastures are closed to horses during the winter months. Does this automatically disclude my facility?

ANSWER: Please review the Statement of Work, Boarding section regarding pasture.

Additionally, please see the evaluation factors in the solicitation document on pages 13, 14, and 15. If you have an alternative to a requirement, be specific about what you have to offer.

QUESTION 8: Could you please confirm whether the contract prioritizes pasture boarding, stall boarding, or if it allows for both options?

ANSWER: This contract is for pasture boarding. Depending on their size and configuration, stalls may be acceptable as shelter but animals shall have continuous free run of a pasture that meets all requirements in the

Statement of Work.

QUESTION 9: If both options are available, are there any specific guidelines or criteria for determining when pasture boarding should be preferred over stall boarding, and vice versa?

ANSWER: N/A

QUESTION 10: Regarding the requirement for a minimum of 6 acres of pasture dedicated to the NOCA herd, should these 6 acres be designated solely for the NOCA herd, or is this space needed regardless of other equine presence within the facility?

ANSWER: The NOCA herd may be moved between multiple pastures as long as each location meets the requirements of the Statement of Work and no outside

(non-NOCA) animals are allowed in any of the enclosures simultaneously with the NOCA herd.

QUESTION 11: As far as the first aid kit supplies are concerned, will it be included or at the contractor expense?

ANSWER: NOCA will supply a first aid kit fully stocked to accommodate minor injuries, pain management, hoof abscesses, etc..

Attachment 7 Questions & Answers (rev. 10/18/2023) North Cascades National Park

QUESTION 12: Are the horses currently in good condition (healthy and free of ailments/injuries/illnesses, weight currently within standard measures) and up to date on vaccines and worming?

ANSWER: All NOCA animals are fit and in good working condition. They are up to date on vaccines (5-Way + E and W Nile), de-worming, dentals, and farrier work. We currently have no lameness, injury, or illness in the herd.

QUESTION 13: Would “mule fencing” be acceptable? That is where the upper strands of the fence are barbed wire but the lower strands are barbless.

ANSWER: The mule fencing as mentioned above would be acceptable.

QUESTION 14: Is there a daily or weekly requirement with checking on the animals?

ANSWER: Please refer to the Statement of Work which notes that they need to be inspected daily.

QUESTION 15: Will any preference be given to vendors with facilities that are the closest in proximity to Marblemount, WA?

ANSWER: Please refer to the Solicitation Terms, Clauses, and Provisions document, pages 13-15 for evaluation information.

QUESTION 16: The horses will likely need worming every other month, will the labor and materials for this be the responsibility of the vendor?

ANSWER: We worm just prior to sending out to board, and again when we bring the herd home. There will be no need to worm during the boarding season.

QUESTION 17: Will the vendor need to manage shoeing/shoeing schedules or will

NOCA staff manage it?

ANSWER: Please refer to the Statement of Work, “NOCA’s Responsibilities.”

QUESTION 18: Is there currently an incumbent fulfilling this requirement? If not, how/where was the herd cared for during past winter seasons?

ANSWER: This is a solicitation for a new contract; the question is not applicable to this solicitation.