A-S Unauthorized Livestock DRAFT SOW_8-26-23.docx

USDA Forest Service

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

for Forest Service – Region 3 – Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

This RFI is for information purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment or a promise of a contract by the Government. This is not a solicitation. This notice does not constitute a Request for Bid, Request for Quote or Request for Proposal, nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach.

Statement of Work

This project consists of the capture and removal of unauthorized livestock (horses and/or cattle) from national forest system lands on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Current estimates of unauthorized livestock to be removed from the Alpine, Clifton and Springerville Ranger Districts of the Apache National Forest are up to or greater than 400 head. Gather efforts will be conducted on the National Forests where we are experiencing issues with unauthorized livestock. The objective of this contract is to remove as many unauthorized livestock as funding allows. Gather efforts shall not start without approval from the contracting officer’s representative (COR). The COR will work closely with the contractor during implementation of the gather and share any new reports received regarding locations of unauthorized livestock.

Gathering must start within 60 days of contract award.

The work includes the gathering, handling/loading, holding, care, transportation, and facilitation of the sale of unauthorized livestock from the National Forests. The work also includes impounding and caring for branded, stray animals while public notice of unauthorized livestock is given. The health and well-being of the animals and personal safety of individuals involved with gather operations is high priority. The work will be accomplished in a safe and humane manner and be in accordance with appropriate State of Arizona laws (Arizona Department of Agriculture (az.gov)).

While the objective of this contract is to remove as many unauthorized livestock from Forest Service lands as funding allows, the contractor will only be authorized to invoice for the actual number of livestock gathered.

Modifications to this contract may be negotiated if determined within scope by the contracting officer.

Contractor Requirements Technical Requirements / Tasks

The Contractor will be required to gather and remove unauthorized livestock from national forest system lands. Passive trapping will be the primary method of capture; however, instances may arise that could require the need for other gather tools to include herding with horses, roping, leading, tie down, etc. Helicopter gathers for unauthorized horses will not be allowed.

Unauthorized livestock means any cattle, sheep, goat, hog, or equine not defined as a wild free-roaming horse or burro by § 222.20(b)(13), which is not authorized by permit to be upon the land on which the livestock is located and which is not related to use authorized by a grazing permit; provided, that noncommercial pack and saddle stock used by recreationists, travelers, other Forest visitors for occasional trips, as well as livestock to be trailed over an established driveway when there is no overnight stop on Forest Service administered land do not fall under this definition.

The Contractor will provide for feed, water, boarding, and basic care of the animals from the time of capture until transfer of ownership. All livestock must be held for a minimum of 5 days for claiming purposes.

The Contractor will be required to provide general care to sick or injured animals and restrain them if treatment is necessary.

The Contractor will be required to humanely euthanize livestock that are injured or sick. The COR will determine if injured animals must be dispatched and provide direction to the Contractor for disposal of such animals. See attached Euthanasia Guidelines.

The Contractor may be required to dispose of the carcasses as directed by the COR. Disposing of carcasses may include moving livestock off trails or from areas of high recreation use.

The Contractor will transport livestock from the temporary holding facility at capture site to their final destination within 24 hours of capture unless prior approval is granted by the COR. The Contractor is responsible for coordinating inspection from Arizona Livestock Officers if required by Arizona State Law.

The Contractor is responsible for providing permanent corrals and holding facilities off Forest. Facilities must be approved by the COR. General expectations for approval are adequacy of the facilities for safe holding of ungentled horses, are located within the state of Arizona, and they are no more than a one-way travel distance of 3 hours from Springerville, Arizona.

On occasion, branded livestock may be gathered. Under these circumstances, the Contractor is responsible for feeding or feed costs while livestock are impounded at a temporary facility identified by the COR (typically on site, or within 40 miles of capture site) for approximately 7 days while public notice of stray livestock is given. If branded livestock are not claimed within the designated period, the contractor will be responsible to transport the livestock to a final destination.

Sales

The Contractor will be responsible for facilitating the public sale of impounded livestock as requested by the Forest Service. Sale options provided by the contractor must include an online auction, in-person auctions, and delivery to a livestock sale barn. Sale barns would be located within 900 miles of Springerville, Arizona. All sale locations and types would be determined by the Forest Service in coordination with the Contractor as livestock are captured.

The Contractor will be responsible for care and holding of any animal that fails to sell at the time of public sale.

The Contractor will schedule shipments of animals to arrive at final destination in coordination with the COR. No shipments shall be scheduled to arrive at final destination on Sundays or on Federal holidays, unless prior approval has been obtained by the COR.

The Contractor will not allow livestock to remain standing on trucks while not in transit for a combined period of greater than six (6) hours.

All trigger and/or trip gate devices must be approved by the COR prior to capture of animals. Trigger and trip gate devices must be designed so that they do not injure livestock.

Government Furnished The Government may furnish handheld radios if needed for safety purposes.

Deliverables / Schedule The contractor will meet with the Forest regularly pre, post and during implementation.

The Contractor will submit a written schedule discussing gather plans to remove unauthorized livestock from Apache-Sitgreaves National Forestss located on the Alpine, Clifton and Springerville Ranger Districts along the Blue River and the west boundary areas within national forest system lands.

The Contractor will gather unauthorized livestock.

The Contractor will transport unbranded livestock from the temporary holding facility at capture site to an approved destination within 24 hours of capture and accommodate inspection from Arizona Livestock Officers when required.

The Contractor will provide feed and care for all gathered livestock until transfer of care has occurred though the sale or approved ownership claim of impounded livestock. Holding periods are not expected to be longer than three weeks but could persist for extended periods of time.

The Contractor will provide documentation (report with pictures) for any livestock that died from stress or livestock that was humanly euthanized due to injury or sickness.