B08_Attach_1_PWS.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

PWS Page 1

PROJECT TITLE:

RIDGECREST REGIONAL WILD HORSE AND BURRO FACILITY

TRIMMING SERVICES CONTRACT

Contents PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s) PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

EXHIBIT X: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

PWS Page 2

PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

The Ridgecrest Regional wild horse & burro facility has a 1000 head holding capacity and receives animals removed from federal lands as need arises. After animals are gathered and shipped to the corrals and prepped for adoption or sale, they may also need to be trimmed. If the animals stay at the corrals for very long, they will need to be placed on a trimming schedule. The contractor will work with the facility staff on what animals are needing to be trimmed. Example there is a load leaving in a week and need to be trimmed first. That load moves to the top of the list.

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work

Under this contract, the contractor will independently provide farrier trimming services to the Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burros corrals. The contractor is responsible for the trimming of all the wild horses and burros at the Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burro Facility. Currently there are 600 animals, but the corrals generally range between 300 and 800 head of animals (burros and horses) but can be as high as 1000. Numbers will vary. Price will be per head.

Contractors must provide or shall be a certified farrier with an accredited farrier school who understands common hoof problems, how to fix them, and be able to work with BLM staff and/or a veterinarian to correct issues.

Contractors must be able to perform their work in a variety of extreme weather (heat, wind, cold). Contractors will need to be physically fit to trim horses while standing, crouching, etc., for hours at a time on untrained animals that may make it quite difficult to trim. The animals will be restrained in the chute, but the work can still be very physically demanding.

Contractor must realize these are untrained horses and burros and often untouched and they will demonstrate different characteristics than domestic horses and burros in some situations. A good understanding of untrained animals’ characteristics is a must as well as the ability to always work with an untrained animal in a humane manner. Any inhumane treatment is grounds for termination of the contract by the CO.

Contractors shall provide emergency contact info for the lead farrier and any helpers involved. The contractor shall accomplish work is the trimming of all wild horses and burros at the Ridgecrest Facility in a tip over chute provided by BLM.

PWS Page 3

Place of Performance:

The trimming will be performed at the Ridgcrest Regional corrals at 3647-A Randsburg Wash Rd Ridgecrest CA 93555

Period of Performance:

April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2027

The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Year of 12 months and four (4) 12-month option years. The Period of Performance reads as follows:

Base Year 04-01-2022 to 03-31-2023 Option Year I 04-01-2023 to 03-31-2024 Option Year II 04-01-2024 to 03-31-2025 Option Year Ill 04-01-2025 to 03-31-2026 Option Year IV 04-01-2026 to 03-31-2027

PWS Page 4

PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this work is the trimming of all wild horses and burros at the Ridgecrest Facility in a tip over chute provided by BLM.

PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

Contractor shall provide 1 certified farrier and 1 assistant/apprentice to ensure the safe and humane handling of animals in the alley way, tip-over chute and during trimming.

The farrier and assistant shall be able to safely move animals into the tip-over chute and shall be experienced in the handling of untrained horses and burros. Animals' legs shall be humanly restrained, and there will be no trimming of unrestrained feet.

Contractor must keep an accurate list of all animals trimmed and tum it in weekly to the facility staff. They will be provided a sheet to keep the numbers on.

Task 1: All animals will be trimmed to industry standards

Task 2: Keep an accurate record of animals that are trimmed and turn it in once a week to the facility staff.

Task 3: Ensure all animals are always treated humanely. If an animal becomes injured contact the facility manager or COR immediately.

Task 4: Maintain a safe and clean workspace around the chute area. All trimmings need to be cleaned up after the animals are trimmed. A dumpster or trash can will be provided.

The BLM reserves the right for government employees to perform trimming activities in the event of emergency or special occasions (adoptions, health issues, training events, etc.). BLM can and will go over and demonstrate safe operations of the hydraulic chute provided for their use for a few days after the award of contract.

BLM staff can assist in the learning of operations of the hydraulic tilt chute.

PWS Page 5

PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

Contractor shall need to provide the number of head projected to be trimmed 24 hours in advance to the BLM Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burro staff so that the correct number of animals can be sorted and prepared for trimming. Contractor shall perform trimmings during regular business hours when the corrals are staffed and available; Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. The BLM is closed on weekends and all federal holidays.

Contractor can set up days with the facility to trim on the weekends if needed to keep up on the animals needing to be trimmed. The BLM staff occasionally goes out of town to adoptions and gathers during regular business hours. All travel, assistant fees and administration fees shall be figured into the price per head.

The horses and burros will be checked every 12 weeks by BLM staff and will notify Contractor if trimming will be necessary. All horses and burros will be trimmed at least every 6 months, according to the Information Memorandum (IM) for Animal Care and Welfare, and BLM reserves the right to have certain animals trimmed more frequently if needed. Currently there are 600 animals, but the corrals generally range between 300 and 800 head of animals (burros and horses) but can be as high as 1000. Numbers will vary so price will be per head.

A copy of the Animal Humane Care and Welfare IM will be provided to the contractor.

Contractor and COR or facility manager will establish a weekly schedule to ensure that all animals are trimmed every 6 months.

For example, if contractor was to trim 30 head a week for a 6-month period that would have 720 animals completed after six months. If numbers increase at the corral, contractor will need to dedicate more time to trim the excess numbers.

The BLM will inform the contractor if any unexpected increases are coming. A good line of communication will be needed between BLM and contractor to avoid unexpected increases and achieve the end goal within a 6-month period. Monthly inventories can be provided to the contractor if requested.

The trims will be to the expected industry standard. The Project Inspector will inspect work and will communicate if the work isn't being done properly by written warning from the CO. If three written and/or email warnings are issued, the BLM reserves the right to terminate the contract due to failure to comply with industry standards and/or humane treatment of the animals.

PWS Page 6

PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government furnished. Contractor shall provide all tools for trimming at the Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burro. The contractor shall provide all their own nippers, grinders, wheels, knives, etc. All tools need to be up to industry standard. If grinders are to be used, the contractor shall provide and use OSHA approved safety equipment; face shield, gloves, and guards while using the grinder.

Materials:

The Government shall furnish foot ropes and flags to assist the Contractor in meeting the requirement of this contract, but all other trimming tools are the contractors responsibility, except for those items specified as government furnished property and services.

Equipment:

The Government shall furnish the below equipment to assist the Contractor in meeting the requirement of this contract, including [any specific EQUIPMENT for this work], except for those items specified as government furnished property and services.

Services: The Government will provide log sheets, putting animals in soak pens if needed.

Facilities: The Government will provide a shaded tip over chute for the trimming duties to be performed in at the corrals.

Utilities: The Government will provide power and water as needed to perform the trimming.

The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish the work.

Applicable Publications (Current Editions) Animal inventory and any guidelines the Bureau of Land Management has in place at the time of the contract.

PWS Page 7

PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

The contractor and at least one of their crew will be issued a gate combo and remote gate opener. They will sign a DI 105 to receive these items and get the DI 105 back when they are returned.

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted during regular working hours between 7:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. If the Contractor desires to carry on work outside regular hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays, a request must be submitted to the Contracting Officer in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made for access to the work site.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR.

PWS Page 8

PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

Standard Definitions:

Physical Condition The Physical appearance of Federal equipment or facilities that considers cracks, chips, dents, abrasions, rust, corrosion, general cleanliness, vibration, operating temperature, and discoloration and other items as identified by the COR...

Physical condition may be determined by visual as well as diagnostic means.

Contracting Officer (CO) The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance (QA) Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below) The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Quality Control Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they meet the requirements of the performance work statement.

PWS Page 9

Technical Definitions:

Trimming: removing excess hoof from animal

Tip over Chute: A hydraulic chute used to restrain ungentle animals and it also lays over to allow hoof trimming.

PWS Page 10

Technical Exhibits:

Exhibit 1: Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

PWS Page 11

EXHIBIT X: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

(How will you determine that success has been achieved? This QASP summarizes in one table what the Government's expectations are, how deliverables or services will be monitored and evaluated, and applicable consequences and [dis]incentives that encourage the contractor to fully perform to the appropriate standards.)

Work Tasks to be Performed

Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance Consequences, Remedies, and/or Deduction(s)

Task(s) 1-3 Review Monitoring Plans and Assessment Strategies.

No more than 1 unsatisfactory inspection result per week.

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the facilities in-will inspect the animals and insure they are properly trimmed to industry standards.

For 1 unsatisfactory inspection, the COR will document this and inform the Contractor what must be improved.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, an email and or a letter will be sent to the CO For 3 unsatisfactory inspections,, an email and or a letter will be sent to the CO

Task(s) X, Y, Z Animals must be trimmed to industry standards

The COR or another Government Representative will inspect the animals and insure they are properly trimmed to industry standards

Animals must be trimmed to industry standards