A05_Attachment_1-_Performance_Work_Statement.pdf

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

C.1 VETERINARY SERVICES

1. Background: The contractor shall provide routine veterinary services on an as needed basis at the Elm Creek

Holding Facility, Elm Creek, Nebraska. The facility is located approximately 4 miles north of Elm Creek, Nebraska, on Highway #183. The workload will vary seasonally with the peak occurring between January through

September. At times services could be required seven days a week. Workload can be expected to vary depending on shipping activity and the health of the population at the facility. The veterinarian, or back-up, must be available at the site within 6 hours of notification. The name address and telephone number of a back-up veterinarian must be provided. The duties require a veterinarian licensed in the State of Nebraska, USDA accredited for issuing interstate health certificates, and skilled in handling and treating un-gentled large animals, specifically horses and burros. Approximately 30% of the estimated workload may include:

De-worming

Vaccination

Drawing Blood Samples for equine infectious anemia (EIA) and preparing the documentation for submission to the appropriate laboratory.

The performance of all services shall be at the discretion of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

However, Bureau of Land Management (BLM personnel reserve the right to complete any of the above tasks, except drawing blood for EIA testing. The spirit of team cooperation is essential between the veterinarian and BLM personnel in order to accomplish these tasks.

The remaining 70% of the workload from veterinarian services includes, but is not limited to, the treatment categories identified in the schedule in Section B. BLM personnel assists the Contractor by furnishing supplies, (identified on attachment 1, and by performing services to restrain animals for the veterinarian by mutually agreed to procedures, considering BLM policies, as identified by BLM, in order to protect the health and welfare of all associated personnel and the wild equine being treated. BLM may perform services in the care and treatment of equine, under the guidance of the veterinarian, at the COR's discretion. For example, after veterinarian examination, BLM may administer penicillin and/or vaccines.

Government Provided Property and Supplies

BLM will provide certain supplies, materials, and equipment necessary for the performance of veterinary services under this contract. The Contractor shall use Government-provided property only for the purposes authorized under this contract and shall be responsible for proper handling and use of all Government-provided items.

BLM-provided supplies may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Blood tubes for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) collection and testing and other blood tests prescribed by the Contract Veterinarian;

• Penicillin for the treatment of infections;

• Vaccinations, needles, and de-worming products for wild horses and burros;

• Equipment used to restrain wild horses and burros for the administration of medications, treatments, and surgical procedures; and

• Medical waste and sharps disposal containers.

The Government Provided supplies will be available at the time when veterinary services are performed. The

Government will maintain inventory of these supplies and equipment continuously so veterinary services can be conducted. The Government will acquire supplies using micro-purchase acquisition procedures.

2. General veterinary services to be performed are as follows:

a. Contractor shall dispose of all infectious waste materials in BLM provided containers according to

Buffalo County District Health and OSHA (1910.1030) regulations, (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030).

b. When the use of needles is required (e.g. vaccinating, drawing blood) a sterile needle shall be used for each animal. Disposal of all sharps and syringes in BLM provided containers will in accordance with

Buffalo County District Health and OSHA “Bloodborne Pathogens” (1910.1030) regulations

(https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030).

3. Specific veterinary services to be performed are as follows:

a. Inspect all equines upon their arrival to Elm Creek Facility within the timeframe determined by the COR.

The veterinarian and COR will discuss any necessary health care required as a result of the inspection. The

COR and Veterinarian will work closely in deciding health care actions after arrival.

b. Draw, prepare, and ship blood samples to the designated laboratory for testing of EIA. Lab fees are not the responsibility of the Contractor. Blood is to be handled in accordance with Buffalo County District

Health and OSHA “Bloodborne Pathogens” (1910.1030) regulations, (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030) . The document preparation involves the USDA

Approved Official EIA Test Form using Global Vet Link Attachement 1. The written test results shall be given to the COR.

c. Control internal parasites. De-worming products are to be administered by the contract veterinarian and/or Elm Creek personnel under advice of the contract Veterinarian.

d. Treat sick and injured horses and burros and advise BLM personnel in the administration of continued treatment (e.g., administration of penicillin).

e. Diagnose sick horses and burros for treatments that can be administered by BLM personnel.

f. At a time specified by the COR, the veterinarian shall review the treatment and sickness history of animals on the facility to provide information on any trends of disease or conditions that may or may not exist. The veterinarian shall also review at the direction of the COR death records on the facility.

g. Issue and prepare health certificates for interstate shipment of horses and burros. This includes a veterinarian’s presence on adoption days, for issuance of health certificates. Veterinarian prescence on adoption days will be scheduled as a normal work day using hourly rate and health preparation charges.

Potentially 1-5 days a year services may be needed.

h. Provide in writing on the BLM provided form entitled "Death Report", the probable cause of death of horses or burros that die in route to the facility or on the facility. This form shall be provided by the COR for its completion.

i. Humanely euthanize wild horses and burros when necessary, and provide a written report to the COR on the reason. In non-emergency situations, a decision to euthanize will be made jointly by the COR and veterinarian. In emergency situations, BLM personnel, in accordance with BLM policy (PIM 2021-007, “Euthanasia of Wild Horses or Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health, or Safety”), have the authority to euthanize wild horses and burros, (https://www.blm.gov/policy/pim-2021-007).

j. Collect tissue samples from postmortem examinations as directed by the COR.

k. Geld stallions by the accepted method prescribed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners

(AAEP) and in accordance with BLM policy (IM 2023-028), “Animal Health, Vaccinations, Gelding, and

Microchipping of Wild Horses and Burros”) (https://www.blm.gov/policy/im-2023-028) . Veterinarian shall furnish scalpel, emasculator, other necessary instruments, analgesic and restraint drugs, as needed.

The address and phone number of the AAEP is 4075 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511; (606)233-

0147.

l. The veterinarian shall advise BLM and present to the COR, throughout the life of this contract, a proactive health care plan for the approach to be used in maintaining good health and containing and preventing the spread of disease in equines.

n. The veterinarian shall perform miscellaneous surgeries on an as needed basis. The Contractor's proposal shall specify the types of surgeries that shall be covered for the fixed unit price stated in the schedule. Miscellaneous surgeries will be defined as repair of injuries using staples, stitches, or bandages and may require minor uses of anasthesia, such as cut repairs, punctures or wounds of this nature.

m. The veterinarian shall be fluent and trained in the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program as defined in BLM policy, PIM 2026-004 Wild Horse and Burro Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program

(https://www.blm.gov/policy/pim2026-004).

4. Veterinary Technician Services

a. Veterinary technician will be provided to assist contract Veterinarian and BLM personnel in restraining wild horses and burros in performance of medical procedures such as but not limited to castration, miscellaneous surgeries, hernia repair etc.

b. Veterinary technician will be provided to assist BLM personnel in trimming wild horses and burros.

c. The veterinary technician shall be fluent and trained in the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program as defined in PIM 2026-004 Wild Horse and Burro Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program

(https://www.blm.gov/policy/pim2026-004 ).

Variation in Quantity

(a) A variation in the quantity of any item called for by this contract will not be accepted unless the variation has been caused by conditions of loading, shipping, or packing, or allowances in manufacturing processes, and then only to the extent, if any, specified in paragraph (b) of this clause.

(b) The permissible variation shall be limited to:

20% Percent increase

20% Percent decrease

This increase or decrease shall apply to each quantity specified in the delivery schedule;

https://www.blm.gov/policy/pim2026-004

Attachment 1