A16_JOTFOC_2026_OLYM_Mule_Purchase_for_Intent_to_SS_Notice_0001.pdf

JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

for SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS OVER $15,000 AND UP TO $350,000.00 (OVER $2,000 for Construction, $2,500 for Services) (See FAR 13.1061)

Date: March 4, 2026 Purchase Request: 0044037563

1. Nature and/or description of the item/service being procured and its intended use (include the anticipated cost):

Non-competitive award to Fred Snook, who manages an annual mule and horse sale auction called “Salmon Select Horse & Mule Sale” in Salmon, ID, for an indefinite quantity of mules and/or horses, not to exceed $44,500.

2. Sole Source Justification rationale (Check one and explain below):

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) and FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

Urgent and compelling circumstances exist. Include critical delivery or performance dates and when you became aware of the requirement. Provide a specific statement of the impact on Government operations, financial or otherwise, if the required delivery or performance date are not met.

Other:

Explain:

The bulk of Olympic National Park’s (OLYM) trail maintenance operation is supported by materials, tools and equipment that are packed by mules. Mules pack food, tents and supplies for trail crew to work in remote locations where the majority of trail maintenance occurs. Packers usually work alone and travel more than 30 miles a day with strings of four to five mules and loads exceeding 140 pounds in the performance of pack support.

During the Salmon Select Sale auction April 10-11, 2026, NPS representatives will evaluate mule/horses offered for sale, considering price and evaluation factors other than price, which are as follows:

(1) Response. This is the mule/horse’s initial response to human interaction and handling.

Normal response is assessed by the mule or horse’s alertness, positive demeanor and calmness when approached by the park handlers. A dull calm response can be a sign of sound mental health, good training but may be an indicator for underlying health issues. Nervous and flighty responses show potential mental issues, can cause mental and physical stress and a sign that a mule/horse may be dangerous to the handler.

(2) Age. The age of the mule or horse is good indicator of remaining life and its condition.

Obviously, longer remaining life is better value for the government and condition is an indicator of short-term medical costs and usability. Maximum acceptable age for this procurement is 12 years old.

(3) Height. The size consists of several factors including height and breadth which indicates the carrying capacity of the mule or horse. OLYM’s working environment requires mule and horses to be taller in stature and build and are measured in hands. Minimal acceptable height is 14/2.

Optimal size is between 14/3 and 16/2 hands. A mule or horse less than 13 hands is undesirable for park operational needs.

$2,500 for Services) (See FAR 13.1061)

(4) Temperament/Attitude. Temperament and attitude are critical to the safety of the handler and mule or horse. A mule or horse that shows good temperament and responds well to human interaction has a higher value than one that shows signs of aggression or flighty responses. Good temperament and attitude is determined by the mule or horse’s response to touching and lifting of its feet and demeanor when around other equine or handlers. Mules and horses that show signs of aggression and flighty response to the above criteria can be dangerous to the handler and other mules and horses in the herd.

(5) Weight. The weight of the mule or horse directly correlates with health, agility, and durability of the animal. This is an extremely important trait in pack and saddle mules and horses who operate in backcountry mountainous terrain. Minimum acceptable weight is 1,000 pounds.

(6) Pack. This reflects the mule or horse’s overall temperament, training and experience. A mule or horse that has previous pack training in rugged mountainous terrain is desirable for park operations.

(7) Saddle. This reflects the mule or horse’s overall temperament, training and experience. A mule or horse that has previous saddle training in rugged mountainous terrain is desirable for park operations. In addition, a mule or horse with saddle experience tends to be more versatile in training and can be trained as a pack mule or horse.

(8) Coggins/ Vaccination Record. This reflects the overall health and wellness regime of the mule or horse. Annual wormer, three-way shots and Coggins testing are mandatory for each mule and horse, and safety of the herd.

(9) Hoof. Hoof and gait are directly correlated with mule/horse health and posture and anatomy.

Good hoof shape, size, symmetry, balance and condition are important characteristics for pack and saddle mule/horses operating in backcountry wilderness settings.

(10) Gait. A mule/horse with a good posture and gait shows athleticism of the mule/horse and overall durability. Steady stride and balance are signs of good bone and ligament healthy. Gait should be fluid and show signs of endurance, strength and agility.

OLYM intends to purchase five (5) mules total that are for sale by individual sellers/owners attending the auction, after a complete inspection of the animal in accordance with the evaluation factors above, that includes physical inspection, documentation of strengths or weaknesses for each evaluation factor, and verification of vaccination records. Award will be made by the Contracting Officer per recommended best value selections made during the sale auction.

3. Market Research.

Historical Market Research:

Prior to 2016, Olympic National Park purchased mules from individual breeders located in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho based on responses to a combined synopsis/solicitation. The solicitations were restricted to those states due to the impracticality and expense of procuring from a wider geographic area. Responses were minimal. The park trail crew was required to travel long distances for inspection, vendors were often unwilling or unable to register in SAM.gov, and competition yielded too few interested breeders to provide the number of mules needed. The process was extremely inefficient and wasteful of tax dollars. Unfortunately, vendors working in the horse and mule breeding industry appear to be reluctant to engage in

$2,500 for Services) (See FAR 13.1061) business with the federal government via the acquisition processes required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

In 2017, Sources Sought notice number P17PS00593was publicized at FedBizOpps on February 2 citing NAICS code 112920, Horse and Other Equine Production. The notice was published for the purpose of compiling a listing of interested small business entities with the capability of providing horses and mules for sale. No responses were received from either the small or large business community. Market research in the Dynamic Small Business online database using as search criteria NAICS 112920 and business locations in Washington and Oregon resulted in seven small businesses (only one of these companies sold mules, and they had mules for sale at the Salmon Select Sale auction). Market research in SAM.gov utilizing as search criteria NAICS 112920 and business locations of Washington and Oregon, large and small business sizes, resulted in seven entities, but only one of the companies sold mules. This vendor sold stock through the Salmon Select Sale.

In 2018, Sources Sought Notice 140P8318Q0034 was publicized at FedBizOpps on March 7 and cited NAICS code 112920, Horse and Other Equine Production. This notice was publicized for the purpose of compiling a list of interested small businesses and obtaining capabilities statements. No responses were received either from the large or small business communities.

Market research in the Dynamic Small Business online database utilizing NAICS 112920 and business locations in Washington and Oregon resulted in six small businesses. As in 2017, only one of these companies sold mules, and also had mules for sale at the Salmon Select Sale.

Market research in SAM.gov utilizing NAICS 112920 and business locations in Washington and Oregon, large and small business sizes, yielded nine businesses. Again, only one company sold mules, the same company found in the Dynamic Small Business Search database that sold mules at the Salmon Select Sale.

In 2019, the Dynamic Small Business Search online database and SAM.gov were utilized to research potentially interested and capable small businesses, using NAICS code 112920 and business locations in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The Dynamic Small Business search resulted in twelve small businesses. SAM.gov advanced search criteria of NAICS 212920 and business locations of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho and including both small and large business and active registrations only, resulting in fifteen businesses.

In 2022, sources sought notice no. 140P8322Q0008 was posted in SAM.gov utilizing NAICS code 112920, Horse and Other Equine Production, for the purpose of obtaining a listing of entities and responses received that would include capabilities statements, indicating mule/horses for sale and general interest in the procurement. No responses were received; therefore, the assumption is that there is no interest from the small or large business community at this time.

In 2024, sources sought notice DOIPFBO240016 was posted on January 30 in SAM.gov utilizing NAICS code 112920, Horse and Other Equine Production, for the purpose of obtaining a list of interested entities and their capability statements. No responses were received by the closing date of February 15, 2024.

$2,500 for Services) (See FAR 13.1061)

The Dynamic Small Business Search online database and SAM.gov were both used to search NAICS 112920 and locations of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. and resulted in twelve small businesses. The SAM.gov search resulted in fifteen businesses with active registrations, both small and large business. Ultimately three small businesses were discovered that sell horses and mules, however, only one of those small businesses was found to be responsive, defined as capable of providing a sufficient number of horses and mules to satisfy park requirements. Of the two that were found to be not responsible, one did not respond to multiple voicemails or emails, and the other did not have a sufficient amount of stock on hand to satisfy park requirements.

Current Market Research

Pre sources sought notice, a list of vendors with the potential to supply OLYM’s requirement was compiled and phone calls were made to ascertain their quality and quantity of stock, willingness and ability to bid, and location and willingness to deliver. Heidi Brill, Lead Animal Caretaker for Olympic National Park, and Nathan Forrest, Olympic National Park Trails Program Manager, made these calls.

Ultimately three self-identified small businesses (none were able to provide their SAM UEI over the phone) were discovered that sell horses and mules, however, none of these small businesses were found to be responsible (Ie – capable of providing a sufficient amount of horse and mule stock to satisfy park requirements). Two stated that they no longer sell pack mules and that they focus on riding mules, and the third did not have a sufficient amount of stock on hand to satisfy park requirements. All three were sent the link to the sources sought notice described below that was posted on sam.gov, with zero responses.

The Dynamic Small Business Search database and SAM.gov were both used to search NAICS 112920 and locations of OR, WA, and ID. The Dynamic Small Business Search resulted in 18 small businesses and the SAM.gov search resulted in 15 businesses with active registrations, both small and large business.

A sources sought notice (140P8326Q0015) was posted on February 19, 2026 in SAM.gov utilizing NAICS code 112920, Horse and Other Equine Production, for the purpose of obtaining a list of interested entities and their capability statements. No industry responses were received by the closing date of March 2, 2026.

Therefore, the program manager has determined that the best and most efficient business approach needed to provide an adequate number of stock animals at the best price is to select the mules and/or horses offered for sale at the annual Salmon Select Sale auction. A sole source award will be made to Fred Snook (sam.gov Unique Identity ID: E6CGUW9711Q4), owner and operator of the Salmon Select Sale auction.

$2,500 for Services) (See FAR 13.1061)

4. If this is a determination for sole source, the contracting officer certifies:

a. Only one source is available or urgent and compelling circumstances exist.

b. The anticipated price will be determined fair and reasonable using the price analysis techniques described in FAR Part 13.106-3(a).

(signature) XXXXX, Trails Supervisor, OLYM Date

Contract Specialist

(signature) XXXXX, Con Ops West Date

Contracting Officer

(signature) Michael Abner, CON OPS West Date