A06_Specifications.pdf

Solicitation # 140P8522Q0018- Mules and Horses for Yosemite NP Page 1 of 2

Specifications Solicitation # 140P8522Q0018

Horses and Mules Yosemite National Park

Description: Yosemite National Park, Roads and Trails Branch has a requirement for mules and horses to be used in backcountry support by trails operations.

Quantity: The Roads and Trails branch would like to purchase 5 mules and 5 horses for a total of 10 animals.

Mules: Mules submitted for offer under this solicitation should be suited for walking within a pack-string of other mules laden with various supplies and lead by experienced animal packers in support of backcountry operations. Walking environment is in mountainous terrain from 3,000 feet to 12,000 feet in elevation, mostly on established trails with occasional off-trail travel in certain areas. Trails are open to the public and are often congested with visitors. Livestock may encounter wildlife such as squirrels, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, deer, and others.

Horses: Horses submitted for offer under this solicitation should be suited for riding and leading pack-strings of mules laden with various supplies by experienced animal packers in support of backcountry operations. Horses must also be suitable for mounted front and backcountry patrols by law enforcement rangers, employees, and volunteers with varying degrees of knowledge, skills and abilities of horsemanship. Riding environment is in mountainous terrain from 3,000 feet to 12,000 feet in elevation, mostly on established trails with occasional off-trail travel in certain areas. Trails areas are open to the public and are often congested with visitors. Livestock may encounter wildlife such as squirrels, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, deer, and others.

Requirement for Mules: Quantity = 5

1. Mules shall be any color except gray.

2. Sex will then be considered; males are preferred and must be gelded.

3. 14 hands, 2 inches and taller (15 to 16 hands preferred).

4. 900 Lbs. to 1,300 Lbs. in weight (1000 to 1200 preferred).

5. 5 to 10 years of age (5 to 8 preferred).

6. No abnormal deviation in the structure or function of the mule will be accepted.

7. Each mule must pass a veterinary examination for certification of soundness, general health and age.

8. Each mule will be well balanced, muscular, have good stamina, good carriage, a straight, short, well-muscled back and good feet.

9. Withers must be normal and not predominant.

10. Each mule must allow all feet to be handled in an easy manner.

11. Each mule must not be prone to fighting or injuring other animals in a corral environment.

12. Each mule capable of being safely shod.

13. Each mule capable of being safely loaded and unloaded from a trailer.

14. Each mule must be gentle and broke, able to lead pack strings off of and/or work in a pack string.

15. Each mule must be able to cross creeks and bridges.

Solicitation # 140P8522Q0018- Mules and Horses for Yosemite NP Page 2 of 2

16. Each mule must be gentle, free of vicious habits such as biting, kicking, or striking.

17. Each mule should not object to harnessing, saddling, or grooming; will not balk, rear, shy, or be hard to catch when turned out.

18. No fence jumpers.

19. Stamina adequate to cover 20 to 30 miles per day in rough, mountainous terrain.

20. Each mule must be pre-quarantined for 5 days with weed/seed-free hay (as required by Yosemite

National Park resources operations).

21. A contract stipulates a minimum of a 30-day satisfaction guarantee; prefer a 6-to-12-month replacement guarantee.

Requirement for Horses: Quantity = 5

1. Quality is given first consideration over breed or color, although Bay or Sorrel is preferred.

2. Sex will then be considered; males are preferred and must be gelded.

3. 14 Hands, 2 inches and taller (15 to 16 hands preferred).

4. 1000 Lbs. to 1,300 Lbs. in weight (1000 to 1200 preferred).

5. 4 to 10 years of age. (4 to 8 preferred).

6. No abnormal deviation in the structure or function of the horse will be accepted.

7. Each horse must pass a veterinary examination for certification of soundness, general health and age.

8. Eacj horse will be well balanced, muscular, have good stamina, good carriage, a straight, short, well-muscled back and good feet.

9. Withers must be normal and not predominant

10. Each horse must be able to be ridden with a bridle and saddle at a walk, trot and canter.

11. Each horse must allow all feet to be handled in an easy manner.

12. Each horse capable of being safely shoed.

13. Each horse capable of being safely loaded and unloaded from a trailer.

14. Each horse must stop and back up, turn left and right at the walk, trot, and canter.

15. Each horse must be able to cross creeks and bridges.

16. Each horse must be gentle, free of vicious habits such as biting, kicking, or striking.

17. Each horse should not object to harnessing, saddling, or grooming; will not balk, rear, shy, or be hard to catch when turned out.

18. No fence jumpers.

19. Stamina adequate to cover 20 to 30 miles per day in rough, mountainous terrain.

20. A contract stipulates a minimum of a 30-day satisfaction guarantee; prefer a 6-to-12-month replacement guarantee.

Delivery: Price to include delivery to Yosemite National Park or cost of pickup if overnight travel required. If delivered they will be delivered to Yosemite Valley NPS Corrals.

Note-Travel restrictions on Route 140. All vehicles are restricted to 45 feet total length on route 140 into the Park. Updated road conditions are available at the California Department of Transportation website. Permits for longer vehicles have been approved on case by case basis by Cal-Trans.