Belvoir JA W91QV123D0011_Redacted.pdf

Control Number:

a. Background: The MICC-FB received a requirement from The Old Guard (TOG) to procure Equine facilities, reconditioning services, and draft horse finishing. During the acquisition process for this requirement, Equine Endeavors LLC Nova Equestrian Center (NEC) emerged as the only company that has the unique capabilities that can satisfy the Army’s minimum requirements of capacity, location, and specific facility functional capabilities. However, during the base year of the awarded contract (W91QV124D0011) for this requirement, TOG realized they underestimated the time needed to completely rehabilitate MWE under a separate short-period contract that was awarded to address an urgent need to address the failing health of several MWE. It was determined that it would benefit The Old Guard’s need for services to increase the ceiling amount to account for additional unpredicted services.

On 12 December 2023, the Requiring Activity sent a request for modification to change the number of MWEs from 35 to 47 for the life of the contract. The estimated cost of over $4 million for this requested increase in MWE would exceed the original ordering ceiling of $27.5 mil that was established when W91QV123D0011 was awarded. However, due to the current scope of the J & A (Control No. MICC 2023-59) that authorized other than full and open competition for the award of W91QV123D0011, no order can be placed that will exceed $27.5M.

Currently, contract W91QV1-24-D-0003 is an active contract awarded to Foxhall Equine, LLC that enables the contractor to provide a higher level of medical care services (Tier III) as addressed within the PWS for 25 MWEs. This contract expired 31 January 2024. While these MWEs at the Foxhall facilities no longer need Tier III medical care, they still require Tier II medical care (a lower degree of medical care). These MWEs now at the Foxhall facilities were not originally accounted for when the requirements were established for contract W91QV1-23-D-0011 awarded to the Equine Endeavors LLC Nova Equestrian Center (NEC). The Nova Equestrian Center (NEC) provides Tier II medical care and is the only company that can satisfy the Army’s minimum requirements of capacity, location proximity, and specific facility functional capabilities.

b. Alternatives: An alternative to increasing the contract ceiling is to issue each new requirement as separate contracts. The major disadvantage to this alternative is the increased procurement acquisition lead time for a sole source action versus the time it takes to issue a pre-priced task order. This alternative is high-risk and delays medical care for known MWE with health conditions that will impact the capacity of the remaining healthy MWE to perform the caisson mission once the TOG resumes this mission in June 2024.

c. Impact if not approved: If this justification request is not approved, it will delay the return of injured MWE to full mission capable condition and impact the TOG’s ability to accommodate the full slate of caisson requirements at ANC once the caisson mission is resumed in June 2024. The TOG could risk reinjuring MWE if they overload the remaining healthy MWE with the full caisson mission load. Additionally, the 3d Infantry Regiment’s ability to escort the President under all circumstances could be jeopardized.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: A Sources Sought Notice was posted on SAM.gov from 23 January 2024 to 24 January 2024. Research was conducted within the 100-mile radius of the Joint Base Fort Meyers/Henderson Hall of SAM registered vendors capable of performing services under NAICS 115210; no other vendors were identified.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: Over the next five (5) years, TOG will obtain more land from the Bureau of Land Management for pasture space and to build Army-owned horse facilities. This is expected to be complete by 2028. There will be no further contracts for this requirement unless the land and facilities will not be ready in 2028. In that case, there will be a competitive solicitation for a facility to provide reconditioning and boarding of TOG horses.

8. Market Research: Research was conducted within the 100-mile radius of the Joint Base Fort Meyers/Henderson Hall of SAM registered vendors capable of performing services under NAICS 115210; no other vendors were identified. A sources sought notice was posted to SAM.gov from 23 January 2024 to 24 January 2024. The notice received no responses.

9. Interested Sources: To date, no other sources have written to express interest in the acquisition.

10. Other: The caisson support to ANC was suspended for a 45-day period by the Department of the Army beginning 01 May 2023. After further analysis of the situation by the Military District of Washington (MDW), on 07June 2023, the U.S. Army extended its suspension of providing drawn caissons for military funeral honors at ANC through June 2024. The current contract provides boarding and comprehensive services through June 2028 to resume and sustain caisson support for ANC. The Old Guard caisson mission historically supports up to eight funeral services per day, in addition to numerous other duties which are extremely physically demanding for each MWE. Due to this extremely high operational tempo, each MWE requires rest periods with adequate pastures, boarding, and significant physical conditioning services. Within the last year, multiple MWEs have died due to poor care and inadequate facilities. Since the initial suspension of caisson support to ANC, the Army has directed all MWE requiring physical therapy receive that treatment. Currently, Equine Endeavors LLC provides these services under the current contract. It is critical that the Army have facilities and services available for injured MWE so that by June 2024, Caisson operations can resume at ANC with enough reserve capability, that Caisson operations will not be suspended again due to poor herd health.

a. Procurement history.

1) PIID: W91QV123P9003

Vendor: Joule Inc. dba Crooked Willow Farm, Ocala, FL Purpose: Rehabilitation and Boarding of 13 Horses Authority: FAR 6.302-2 Unusual and Compelling Urgency Remarks: A justification and approval allowed for the contractor to perform up to six (6) months under a firm fixed price level of effort.

2) PIID: W91QV123P9006

Vendor: Joule Inc. dba Crooked Willow Farm, Ocala, FL Purpose: Rehabilitation and Boarding of 13 Horses Authority: FAR 6.302-2 Unusual and Compelling Urgency Remarks: A justification and approval allowed for the contractor to perform up to six (6) months under a firm fixed price level of effort.

3) PIID: W91QV123D0011

Vendor: Equine Endeavors LLC Purpose: Equine Facilities and Services Authority: FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements Remarks: A justification and approval allowed the Government to procure services on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of Title 10 United States Code §3204(a)(1).

4) PIID: W91QV124D0003

Vendor: Foxhall Purpose: Veterinary Services Authority: FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items Remarks: A justification and approval permitted the Government to procure Veterinary Services of Military Working Equines on a sole source basis pursuant to the authority of the Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, Title 41 United States Code Section 1901 as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.5.

b. Other facts. The Equine Facility contract W91QV123D0011, provides equine transportation services between approved location, by licensed handlers and certified drivers, reducing stress to the equine and improving overall care of the herd.