B08_Solicitation-Statement_of_Work.pdf

Valles Caldera National Preserve

39201 New Mexico State Route 4

Jemez Springs, NM 87025

Trespass Cattle Wrangling Services

Performance Work Statement

Date: 03/26/26

Amendment 0001:

1.0 General:

The National Park Service is seeking, horse-mounted, trespass cattle wrangling services at Valles Caldera

National Preserve (herein referred to as the “park”) in north-central New Mexico, for a minimum of one day per week or two days every other week within the period of performance to round up between ninety and ninety-five percent of trespass cattle that are loose within the park boundary, herd them into designated corrals within the park, and to notify park law enforcement the instant trespass cattle are corralled and secured. The Government estimates approximately thirty cows would be wrangled, herded, and secured in corrals on any given day that services are rendered. The number will vary from day-to-day and week-to-week due to the unpredictable nature of the animals. The cows being wrangled, herded, and secured in corrals are branded and most have ear tags. In general, the animals are accustomed to being rounded up by wranglers on horseback. The San Antonio Corral that will be used to corral and secure the trespass cattle is on the northwest side of the park and includes seven individual holding pens with a capacity estimated to hold up to approximately three-hundred animals. A typical wrangling service shall focus on the northern portion of the park, specifically Valle Toledo and Valle San Antonio as identified on the map. Additionally, a typical wrangling service may cover approximately five miles or less from herd location to a corral, and twenty miles in a day if herds are found in multiple locations. Park staff occasionally observe cattle in other locations, and if reports of cattle are received from other parts of the park, the contractor will be notified and will be required to round up and herd those trespass cattle to the San Antonio Corral or Tack Shed Corral, as indicated on the map, whichever is closest. In 2024, a survey of trespass cattle indicated a total of approximately 422 cows trespassed onto park property between May and November. Wrangling Services will occur between May-November each year.

The park consists of approximately 89,000 acres of high-elevation pine, fir, and spruce forests on volcanic domes interspersed with lower elevation grasslands and wetlands. The park is surrounded by the Santa Fe

National Forest, Santa Clara Pueblo, and Bandelier National Monument. The park boundary is defined by a barbed-wire fence along grazing allotments on the Santa Fe National Forest. Damage from wildfires, fallen trees, and vandalism has created gaps in the fence thereby allowing cattle from the Santa Fe National Forest and private lands to enter the park. Cattle routinely trespass onto park lands, moving from the uplands along the park boundary downslope to open grasslands and stream riparian areas. The Government estimates most of the trespass cattle are coming from the northern boundary of the park, however, trespass cattle also enter from the western boundary and to a lesser extent, from the southern boundary. Cell phone service is spotty within the park; therefore, contractors shall factor in their own communications equipment that will meet the communication needs of the park. The contractor will communicate with the COR/POC as needed while performing wrangler services duties.

2.0 Purpose:

It is the intent of the Government to award one firm fixed-price contract to a single qualified and responsible contractor to provide trespass cattle wrangling services. The purpose of this requirement is to uphold the mission requirements of the National Park Service, specifically to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Habitat for threatened and endangered species, specifically the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, Mexican spotted owl, and Jemez Mountains salamander, is being trampled and impacted by trespass cattle. Additionally, stream quality is being impacted as riparian buffers are being denuded by trespass cattle; sensitive vegetation is also being trampled. Further, safety is paramount at the park, and by rounding up, herding, and securing trespass cattle in corrals, it will reduce the number of times park visitors and park staff have encounters with trespass cattle on roadways and trails; it will also enhance visitor experience of the park’s fundamental resources and values.

For this requirement safety, communications, and teamwork is critical.

3.0 Location:

Valles Caldera National Preserve

39201 New Mexico State Route 4

Jemez Springs, NM 87025

4.0 Period of Performance:

• The period of performance for this requirement is: Base Year - 05/15/2026 – 05/14/2026.

• Option Year 1 – 5/15/2027-05/14/2028

• Option year 2 – 5/15/28-5/14/2029

• Option Year 3 – 5/15/2029-5/14/2030

5.0 Hours of Operation:

Services shall be conducted for a minimum of eight (8) hours per working day between sunrise to sunset, for a minimum of one day per week up to two consecutive days per week on a day(s) selected by the contractor.

Alternatively, services may be conducted two consecutive days every other week as selected by the contractor. Services will not be rendered on the same one day per week, or the same two consecutive days every other week. Days of the week services are rendered will switch as to not have set schedule. Instances where the park is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar

Government-directed closings, no services shall be rendered. Work outside of the day and time specified shall only occur with written approval from the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and/or

Government Point of Contact (POC) at no additional cost to the Government.

6.0 Tasks:

The Contractor Shall:

6.0.1 Provide all labor, supervision, materials, tools, supplies, transportation, trailers, animals, tack, license, certificates, permits, personal protection equipment, signs, and equipment incidental to and necessary to perform services to wrangle, herd, corral, and notify park staff the instant trespass cattle are secured in the corral(s) at the park.

6.0.2 Coordinate and schedule all services with the COR/POC prior to commencement of weekly services.

Services must be scheduled in advance so that proper access to areas can be provided, if needed, therefore it is imperative that the contractor work with the COR/POC to create, update, and maintain an accurate service schedule.

6.0.3 Execute all wrangling services via mounted wranglers only during the window of operating hours specified in Section 5.0 and in compliance with the contractor’s written Operation Plan, Quality

Control Plan, and Safety Plan identified in Section 9.0.1 and Section 12.0. All visible trespass cattle that are within the red perimeter identified on the attached map are required and expected to be wrangled, herded, and put into corrals on the day(s) of service. All horses used in this requirement shall, at a minimum of twenty-four hours before entering the park and while on park property, be fed only weed-free certified hay or pellets. The contractor is responsible for providing all feed for its horses.

6.0.4 A minimum of two horse-mounted wranglers shall work together during wrangling services.

6.0.5 The contractor shall not use drones, helicopters, sedation, lethal techniques, passive traps (e.g., water and salt), or all-terrain vehicles for any reason under this contract.

6.0.6 The contractor shall not assist owners of trespass cattle with wrangling trespass cattle nor deviate from wrangling the cattle and securing them in a corral. If any encounter with an owner of trespass cattle occurs, the contractor shall notify the COR/POC immediately. The COR/POC will assume responsibility for communicating with the owner of trespass cattle. The COR/POC will contact the owners via phone, call or text.

6.0.7 The contractor shall sort trespass cattle by brand into individual holding pens at the end of each day’s service or on the subsequent day after completing services as identified in 6.0.

6.0.8 Include the following information in the written report identified in Section 7.0.5 – The number of cattle that share the same brand and in which holding pen they were placed. (e.g., Ten cows were wrangled. Of those ten cows, three were branded Q and seven were branded M, and placed in holding pen A and B, respectively.)

The Contractor may:

6.0.9 Use herding dog(s) to accomplish the task sufficiently and effectively. The dog(s) used shall be specifically trained to herd cattle. A dog that is not trained to herd cattle is considered a pet and is not permitted on park property.

6.1 Optional Will Call (Up to four times during performance period)

6.1.1 The contractor SHALL report for services within 48 hours of notification, call and email.

6.1.2 Upon notification and request by the POC, the contractor will render services off schedule.

6.1.3 Include the following information in the written report identified in Section 7.0.5 – The number of cattle that share the same brand and in which holding pen they were placed. (e.g., Ten cows were wrangled. Of those ten cows, three were branded Q and seven were branded M, and placed in holding pen A and B, respectively.)

7.0 Additional Contractor Requirements:

The contractor shall be responsible for:

7.0.1 Developing a written Safety Plan that will be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the Government within 14-Days after award.

7.0.2 Developing a written Quality Control Plan that will be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the

Government within 14-Days after award.

7.0.3 Ensuring that proper safety and health precautions are in place to protect the work, the workers, the public, and the property of others at all times in performance of this contract.

7.0.4 Any trash or waste generated by the contractor. All trash and waste shall be removed from the park after services are rendered and disposed of in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

7.0.5 The contractor shall provide via email to the COR/POC and Cc the CO, a written report within twenty-four hours of a day’s conclusion of trespass cattle wrangling services. That report shall indicate hours worked each day, the number of trespass cattle secured in the corral at the end of the day, where the trespass cattle were located, a wide-angle photograph of the trespass cattle prior to herding, GPS coordinates of the location the cattle were found and of the route used to herd the cattle to the corral, an estimate of the distance traveled from the location of the animal(s) to the corral, and

GPS coordinates and photograph of the location of any trespass cattle that were located but could not be wrangled, herded, and corralled.

7.0.6 Any damages caused by the contractor during services to existing vegetation or Government property or injuries or deaths of trespass cattle shall be reported in writing to the COR/POC within twenty-four hours of occurrence. The written report shall document a minimum of time and date of occurrence, type of loss or damage, names and phone numbers of individuals involved, impact to park operation or assets effected by the incident, and any details leading up to and after the incident.

The contractor shall take immediate actions necessary to prevent further damage or harm. The contractor is responsible for the repair or replacement of all damaged Government property caused by his/her operations. The Government understands that riding horses, herding and corralling trespass cattle will result in minor resource damage due to the nature of the services, however, damages to vegetation that are outside riding horses, herding, and corralling trespass cattle will be the responsibility of the contractor to remediate at no additional cost to the Government.

7.0.7 The Government, at its sole direction, may elect to repair and/or replace the damaged property.

8.0 Government Furnished Property and Information:

For this requirement the Government will provide:

8.0.1 San Antonio Corral (refer to map) with seven holding pens capable of holding up to approximately

300 animals.

8.0.2 Tack Shed Corral (refer to map) capable of holding up to approximately 30 animals.

8.0.3 Recommendations as to the location services may be focused for the day based on staff and visitor sightings and reports.

8.0.4 Superintendent’s Compendium in which the specific rules and policies that govern and that are unique only to the park apply. No smoking and/or vaping is permitted.

8.0.5 The Government can provide access to potable water for animals and human consumption by request. Animals are permitted to drink from creeks or other bodies of water provided they are under physical control when doing so. Watering directly from any spring and grazing on plant life while within the park are prohibited. Human consumption of water from creeks or other bodies of water is permitted but at the sole risk to the contractor.

8.0.6 Responsibility for the care of cattle (e.g., providing food and water) once they are corralled.

https://www.nps.gov/vall/learn/management/compendium.htm

8.0.7 Responsibility for handling trespass cattle that are injured or perish during wrangling services. The contractor shall notify the COR/POC immediately and the Government will address the incident. The contractor shall include a report of any injury or death of trespass cattle pursuant to IAW Section

7.0.6.

For this requirement the Government may provide at the request of the contractor:

8.1.0 A Special Use Permit for primitive dry camping at Banco Bonito, as shown on the map, and/or backcountry dispersed tent camping at no cost to the contractor. Should the contractor elect to apply for a Special Use Permit for this requirement, they shall agree to abide by the additional terms and conditions set forth in the permit. Please refer to the attached Trespass Cattle Wrangling Services

Camping Permit Terms and Conditions. It is the responsibility of the contractor to apply for and obtain a Special Use Permit specific to this requirement.

9.0 Required Written Plans:

9.0.1 Operations Plan – A preliminary Operations Plan shall be submitted with the contractor’s quote. This plan shall include a chronological outline, which lays out the step-by-step process that the contractor shall follow each day wrangling, herding, and securing trespass cattle services are rendered. It shall start with the preparations the contractor will do to meet the requirement prior to the day of service and arrival at the park and end with the contractor’s exit from the park. THIS PLAN MUST BE

DETAILED. This plan may be finetuned with input from the park at a kick-off meeting shortly after award and shall be resubmitted to the Government within 7-days for review and acceptance.

9.0.2 Safety Plan – Refer Sections 7.0.1 and 12.0.

9.0.3 Quality Control Plan – Refer to Sections 7.0.2 and 12.0.

10.0 Contractor Employee Conduct:

10.0.1 Professionalism: The Contractor’s employees including subcontractors, if used, SHALL, at all times while on the job site, whether on or off duty, conduct themselves in a professional, orderly, and safe manner. Rudeness, fighting, being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs or bringing and/or consuming alcohol and/or drugs, gambling, soliciting, stealing, and any immoral or otherwise undesirable conduct shall not be permitted on the job site and shall result in immediate and permanent removal from the job site of any employee engaging in such conduct.

10.0.2 A contractor’s employee SHALL be subject to removal from the premises upon determination by the

Contracting Officer that such action is in the best interests of the Government. Such removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises SHALL not relieve the Contractor of the requirement to provide sufficient personnel to perform the service as specified.

10.0.3 All areas used by the Contractor within park boundaries SHALL be kept neat and organized. All equipment, including horses and dogs, MUST be properly maintained, secured, and removed from the park at the end of each day. The contractor SHALL not leave any tools, parts and/or supplies unattended at any time while performing services.

10.0.4 Contractor employees shall not loiter in any working or patron area. Upon completion of their assigned work, employees shall promptly depart from the public areas.

10.0.5 The contractor SHALL permit park staff to accompany wranglers during the performance of services at any time during this requirement at the written direction of the POC. The contractor will not be responsible for providing transportation for said park staff.

10.0.6 Photographs, social media posts, online content, or any form of communication is strictly prohibited regarding all aspects of this requirement unless authorized in writing by the POC.

10.0.7 All inquiries from the public or press SHALL be immediately directed to the POC who will then direct it to the Public Information Officer who will facilitate the park’s response.

12.0 Definitions:

Contracting Officer (CO): The person executing this contract on behalf of the Government, including any duly appointed successor and authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of his/her authority.

Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): The on-site contract administrator for the Contracting

Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the Contracting Officer’s Representatives will be defined in a letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer that will be provided to the contractor.

Performance Work Statement (PWS): Government’s description and expectations of the services that shall be performed.

Point of Contact (POC): A POC will be used if an official COR cannot be designated at the time of award.

The POC will not be designated in writing yet will assist the CO in the day-to-day on-site administration of the contract requirements

Quality Control (QC): Actions taken by a contractor to carry out a written Quality Control Plan to ensure the performance of contracted services meet the PWS requirements.

Quality Control Plan: A written document created by the contractor outlining the specific actions the contractor will take to ensure the performance of contracted services meet the requirements contained within the PWS.

Trespass Cattle: Cattle that leave their authorized grazing allotment and enter the park.

Safety Plan: A written document that takes into consideration the risk assessment of the requirement and develops reasonable concepts, behaviors, and disciplines to mitigate the assessed risk. It also includes the actions in chronological order the contractor will respond to an emergency with. This will include emergency contact list, the location and route to the nearest hospital or medical facilities, and the NPS emergency dispatch center number 928-608-6301. It shall also list any medical certifications that the onsite contractor staff has specific to first-aid, CPR, EMT, or similar credentials.

Quality Assurance: Actions taken by the Government to assure contracted services meet PWS requirements.

Will Call: Contractor SHALL report for services within 48 hours of notification, call and email.

13.0 Personal Service:

The Government has determined that use of an Agreement to satisfy this requirement is in the best interest of the government, economic and other factors considered, and this Contract is not being used to procure personal services prohibited by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 37.104 titled “Personal

Services Contract”.

To counter the circumstances that infer personal services and to preserve the non-personal nature of the

Agreement, the contractor shall adhere to the following guidelines in the performance of the Contract:

• Contractor provides for direct supervision of all contract employees assigned to the task.

• Refrain from discussing the issues such as skill levels and hours, salaries, cost and funding data, or administrative and personnel matters affecting contractor employees with the client.

• Ensure close communication/coordination with the CO and POC, reporting problems to the POC and

CO as they occur.

• Do not permit Government officials to interview potential contractor employees, discuss individual performance, approve leave, or work scheduling of contractor employees, terminate contractor employees, assist contractor employees in doing their jobs or obtain assistance from the contractor in doing Government job.

• Do not assign contractor personnel to work under direct Government supervision.

• Maintain a professional distance from Government employees.

• Provide contractor employees with badges, if appropriate, identifying them as contractors.

• Ensure proper communications with the Government (technical discussion and government surveillance is okay, but the Government cannot tell the contractor how to do the job).

The Government has the right to reject the finished product or result, and this does not constitute personal services.

14.0 Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) & Point of Contact (POC):

Contracting Officer: The Contracting Officer (CO) has the overall responsibility for the administration of this contract. The CO/PA, is authorized to amend, modify, or deviate from the contract.

Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): The COR will be designated in writing at the time of award to assist the CO in the day-to-day on-site administration of the contract requirements. The responsibilities of the

COR will be specified in the appointment memo that shall be provided to the contractor.

Point-of-Contact (POC) The POC will be used if an official COR cannot be designated at the time of award.

The POC will not be designated in writing and will assist the CO/COR in the day-to-day on-site administration of the contract requirements.