A04_Pasture_SOW.pdf

RFQ #140P8524Q0013 - Pasture Services for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Page 1 of 2

STATEMENT OF WORK

Background

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) staff maintains hundreds of miles of trails in the parks, the majority in wilderness. For a six-month period, government owned horses and mules (stock) transport staff, supplies, food and tools to trail crews and other park staff in support of a variety of missions. A horse or mule will generally consume at least 20 pounds of hay per day to sustain a healthy weight for a working animal. During the off months that the stock is not in use, they are grazed within NPS’s park pastures. Due to fence damaged during a fire, SEKI has a need for temporary storage of this stock while the fence is repaired. SEKI has a need to lease Winter Pasture that will fill all requirements listed below to support approximately 70 head of stock.

Scope

1. Vendor shall supply provide all pasture and other feeds required to maintain NPS horses and mules in a normal and healthy condition considering the time of year.

2. The contractor must feed hay (Alfalfa or Oat) to supplement the pasture when conditions warrant the supplemental feeding. The contractor shall provide salt as necessary. Stock shall be kept in healthy condition and feed as required to prevent weight loss and/or sickness.

3. All loose barbwire and other hazards shall be cleared of the pasture to prevent injuries to stock.

4. Pasture fence shall be 5 wire and capable of holding stock and preventing animals from leaving designated pasture areas. Fences, gates and access roads shall provide safe access to loading and unloading areas and be able to be accessible by truck and trailer up to 50 long.

5. All pasture areas must contain a corral or catch pen for the purpose of releasing, processing and gathering stock. Corrals shall be hard sided or panels.

6. Each animal shall have a minimum of 1,200-lbs per month of air-dry forage. If pasture is depleted of natural forage supplement feed must be given to animals in the same portions per animal. The average amount of pasture required for this between 10-15 acres per animal depending on the type of pasture offered.

7. Clean fresh water from all sources whether springs, ponds or toughs must be clean from dirt and mud. Fresh water will be constantly available for the animals.

8. Winter Pasture must be within 200 miles from SEKI Ash Mountain corrals, so park staff can effectively monitor stock throughout the winter.

9. Contractor shall pick up all animals from the SEKI Ash Mountain corrals and transport them to the Contractor’s pasture. Transport must be accomplished using licensed and insured vehicles and equipment suitable for hauling stock.

10. Contractor shall perform visual herd observations every other day while stock is within their pasture. Any medical issues will be communicated to SEKI to coordinate the appropriate response.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

WINTER PASTURE

Facilities/Corrals

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

RFQ #140P8524Q0013 - Pasture Services for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Page 2 of 2

11. Contractor shall pick-up stock as quickly as possible after contract award and all livestock will have been transported to the pasture no later than 14 calendar days after award. Stock will be transported back to SEKI beginning April 1, 2024, and all stock shall be returned by April 12, 2024. Stock transfers will be coordinated with the SEKI Facility Manager.

NPS Responsibilities

1. The Facility Manager or acting will inspect and monitor animal health and conditions throughout the winter.

2. NPS will provide and administer vaccines and animal care.

Performance Period:

110 calendar days from contract award.

Billing and Invoicing:

Price will be billed by the head per month as to the actual number of stock on pasture each month. Partial months for an animal will be prorated. Sample of number of animals on pasture in 2024 is as follows:

Contract award-01/31 @ 70 head (with some prorated animals) 02/01-02/29 @ 70 head 03/01-03/31 @ 70 head 04/01-04/12 @ 70 head (with some prorated animals)

Actual number of head per month may vary due to weather conditions, workload, training and events requiring stock use.

Quality Assurance:

Physical inspection of proposed pasture area and the care of the stock will be performed by an NPS representatives during the performance of this contract to ensure all contract requirements are being satisfied.

NPS Contacts:

Nathaniel Aldrich, Facility Manager (559) 565-4360 Kris Thornbury, Budget Analyst (559) 565-4361 Rick Hall, Chief of Facilities (559) 565-3737

Background