Attachment A Statement of Work.pdf

RFQ # 140P8320Q0096

Attachment A SOW North Cascades NP

STATEMENT OF WORK

EQUINE BOARDING FOR HORSES AND MULES

NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE COMPLEX (NOCA)

PURPOSE:

Winter is the time of year when stock need the most consistent and rigorous care, as wet and freezing conditions are hard on animals, pastures and facilities. In the past, NOCA has relied on a consortium of volunteers and part time employees, many of whom are gone for extended periods of time. Through this contract, NOCA will bring our stock program up to industry standards by soliciting reliable, twice-daily care from experienced handlers at an appropriate facility.

OVERVIEW OF WORK:

Boarding: The vendor will be required to provide adequate pasture, shelter and water for 8 to 11 equines for up to 5 months (153 days). Vendor will inspect each animal daily and, if an animal requires grooming or becomes injured or sick, will act in a timely manner to address the problem as described below.

Feeding: Vendor will distribute rations to each animal two times per day, in accordance with ongoing instructions from NOCA’s Animal Caretaker.

Note: If Vendor-provided hay option is selected, hay shall be clean and fresh, suitable for equines and contain no more than 50% alfalfa. Although continuous access to feed is not generally appropriate for this herd, high-quality Haylage or round bale forage may be fed occasionally, particularly during extreme cold weather. All packaging and netting shall be removed before animals are given access, and any round bale exposed to moisture shall be inspected daily for mold or anaerobic activity and removed if spoilage is evident.

FACILITIES:

• Minimum of 8 acres of pasture free of hazards and with no more than 1/2 acre sacrificed to mud.

Preference may be given to facilities with larger, drier pasture.

• Separate paddock or run, with shelter or stall, for temporary separation of injured or sick animal.

• Secure, non-electric perimeter fence. (Barbed wire permitted ONLY if hot wire is placed along, or inside of, top strand to discourage contact between animals and barbs.)

• 24/7access to clean, continuously unfrozen water.

• 24/7 access to shelter with dry footing (minimum of three 12’ X 16’ loafing sheds, or adequately sized and partitioned open bay). Preference may be given to facilities with more shelter availability.

• Dry storage for up to 10 tons of hay.

REQUIRED TASKS:

• Feed rations and inspect water twice daily.

• Perform basic grooming as necessary to prevent coat or skin disorders. This includes, at a minimum, brushing topline of each animal from ears to tail weekly to remove filth and keep coats smooth for shedding water.

RFQ # 140P8320Q0096

Attachment A SOW North Cascades NP

• Inspect animals daily and notify Animal Caretaker and/or a veterinarian of NOCA’s choosing if an individual becomes sick or injured.

• Provide basic nursing care, including bandaging, soaking, and administering of meds if needed.

• Allow access to herd only by NOCA staff or Vendor’s helpers. Only individuals pre-approved by

Animal Caretaker will ride animals (VIP form required if not covered under Vendor’s insurance.)

NOCA’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Transport animals to and from Vendor’s facility.

• Purchase and arrange delivery of all supplemental feed, and of all hay if not provided by vendor as per contract.

• Provide payment directly to veterinarian, farrier or other equine professionals as needed.

• At Vendor’s request, remove injured or sick animals requiring advanced care such as IV injections or management of infectious disease. Vendor will forfeit individual’s daily rate for duration of removal.

• Provide brushes, shampoos, vet supplies, medications, halters, tack, buckets or feed pans, mineral supplements and all other grooming and caretaking supplies as needed.

• Water troughs and electric tank de-icers will be provided at no charge upon request.