DRAFT Farrier PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT - original.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Caisson Platoon – Farrier Services

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a service contract to provide quality Farrier service for the U.S. Army Caisson Horses to include all equine hoof care, placing of shoes on horse feet, and specializing in the anatomy of lower limbs in horses.

1.1 Description of Supplies/Introduction: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items necessary to perform Farrier services as required at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBMHH) and Nova Equestrian Center (NEC). The Contractor shall provide services that are to the standards set forth in this contract.

1.2 Background: The U.S. Army Caisson Platoon conducts memorial affairs operations in support of all Joint Services in Arlington National Cemetery to honor our Nation’s fallen service members and their families. On order, the Caisson Platoon provides assets in support of State Funeral missions and key strategic engagement ceremonies in and beyond the National Capitol Region. Farrier service is required to maintain the health and safety of the 37 horses in the current Caisson herd used for funeral ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. The U.S. Army Caisson Platoon’s horses are mainly Draft cross breeds and vary in age and size. The herd will be expanded to as many as 80 horses over in the next 5 years.

1.3 Objectives: Each horse will be routinely trimmed/shod every four to six weeks and provided care to maintain optimum hoof and anatomical health.

1.4 Scope: All Farrier services vendor proposes to the U.S. Army shall meet specific physical and certification requirements as their mission in Arlington National Cemetery is extremely sensitive.

1.5 General Information

1.5.1 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services being delivered are in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of service that does not meet the standards. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which they assure that their product complies with the requirement of the contract. The QCP will be delivered no later than 30 days after contract award. Three copies of a comprehensive written QCP shall be submitted to the KO and COR within 5 working days when changes are made thereafter. After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.

1.5.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate/inspect the contractor’s shoeing under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

This plan is primarily focused on what the Government shall do to ensure that the contractor has delivered services in accordance with the noted standards for shoeing. It defines how the standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s). If work is not to standard, the contractor has 3 days to reshoe horses that meet the Platoon’s requirements. Continued rejection could lead to contract termination for default.

1.5.3 Recognized Holidays: The Contractor will not be expected to deliver on US, National, and Religious Holidays (listed below). Exceptions will be limited to State funerals or unforeseen circumstances.

New Year’s Day

Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

Columbus Day

President’s Day

Veteran’s Day

Memorial Day

Thanksgiving Day

Juneteenth

Christmas Day

Independence Day

1.5.4 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 5:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

1.5.5 Place of Performance: Services performed under this contract will be at JBMHH and NEC with possible expansions to other areas in Northern Virginia and Maryland.

1.5.6 Security Requirements: None.

1.5.7 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.5.8 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified and designated.

by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. If the Contracting Officer designates a contracting officer's representative (COR), the Contractor will receive a copy of the written designation. It will specify the extent of the COR's authority to act on behalf of the contracting officer. The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or changes that will affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or any other term or condition of the contract.

1.5.9 Key Personnel: “The Contractor shall provide a Contract Manager who shall be responsible for the delivery of quality shoeing. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The Contract Manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to deliveries of quality on this contract.

The Contract Manager or alternate shall be available between 5:00 a.m. to 6:00p.m., Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.5.10. Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contract personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials.

1.5.11. Contractor Travel: Travel to JBMHH and NEC is included in the firm fixed price of the farrier services.

1.5.12. Contractor Requirements: Contractors shall fully demonstrate (i.e. provide proof/documentation) of the following in response to the solicitation in order to be considered technically acceptable for award.

1.5.12.1: The Contractor shall be an American Farrier’s Association Certified Farrier, Certified Tradesman Farrier or Certified Journeyman Farrier; or possess a Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association (BWFA) Journeyman I, Journeyman II, or Master Farrier Certification, or an equivalent apprenticeship with a qualified Farrier.

1.5.12.2: Minimum of 5 years (prefer 10+ years) professional experience (with references) in Farriery, shoeing Draft breeds and driving horses, and with corrective shoeing.

1.5.12.4: The ability to read and interpret x-rays and an effective working relationship with a qualified veterinary team. Provide a detailed description of what seeing the angle of a coffin bone might do to support Caisson’s needs.

1.5.12.5: Experience with therapeutic shoeing and trimming. Contractor shall provide a detailed description of how you would treat long and low angles.

1.5.12.6: Working access to a consultant for supporting the needs of horses working on blacktop/concrete. Contact information for the consultant and describe how you would adapt their techniques.

1.5.12.7: Experience working with equine sedation.

1.5.12.8: A minimum of one farrier partner to assist and meet job expectations.

1.5.12.9: Experience working with horses of all temperaments to minimize sedation dependency.

Part 2

Expectations

1. New shoes shall be applied for every shoeing session or as determined by herd manager. The farrier will maintain a tracker of all work done to the horses that will be shared with the COR.

2. Hot Shoeing with the use of shoes with clips and as otherwise determined beneficial.

3. No fewer than 6 nails evenly driven 1/4-1/3 of the way up the hoof wall be used with each foot and clinched to trade standard unless otherwise medically determined.

4. Nails shall be the appropriate standard size for the shoes utilized

5. Capability to produce a flat and properly balanced foot with a solidly attached shoe that will remain in place for 6-7 weeks

6. The hoof should be trimmed to a standard angle of foot as determined by the slope of pastern, unless otherwise medically determined.

7. Capability to service up to 10 horses per day

8. Maintain shoeing records for all Military Working Equines (MWE), to include:

- Biographic data,

- Date service performed,

- Type of service performed (shoeing, trimming, etc),

- Notes (corrective shoeing, injuries, etc).

These records will be turned over to the Program manager at each shoeing session and at the end of the contract or at time of request from the Contracting Officer Representative.

Recommended hardware but not limited to

1. St. Croix Brand Named Horseshoe(s) or equivalent Aluminum/Steel Shoes (flat & wedge).

2. Capewell brand named nails and/or ice nails or equivalent.

Hoof Trimming Services Order

Contractor shall provide all hoof trimming services’ labor, tools (rasp, hoof tester, farrier knife, hoof nippers, shoe pullers, wedge, anvil, forge, nailing hammer, nail clincher, clinching block, hoof stand, hoof gauge, over the counter medications) and any other hoof trimming supplies needed to perform hoof trimming services. Trimming services required for entire herd (40-80 horses as Caisson expands over the years), every 4-6 weeks as directed by Herd Manager. Invoicing shall be per head of horse.

Horse Shoeing Services Order

Contractor shall provide all horse shoeing services’ labor, tools (rasp, hoof tester, farrier knife, hoof nippers, shoe pullers, wedge, anvil, forge, nailing hammer, nail clincher, clinching block, hoof stand, hoof gauge) and supplies needed (steel shoes, aluminum shoes, nails, borium or Ice nails, emergency hoof care supplies as needed, and over the counter medications) to perform horse shoeing services.. Shoeing services required for entire herd, every 4-6 weeks as directed by Herd Manager. Horseshoes and shoeing nails should be chosen to best support MWE activities and be appropriate to foot size, so that nails are driven 1/4-1/3 of the way up the hoof wall. The appropriate and acceptable shoes/configuration will be determined by the farrier, herd manager, and the veterinarian.

Invoicing shall be per head of horse.

Corrective Trimming & Shoeing Order

Corrective trimming is the process of restoring proper hoof form and function and may include but is not limited to: addressing hoof wall fractures, balance and gait inconsistencies, therapeutic shoeing for ligament and soft tissue injuries, medical complications such as abscesses, laminitis, etc. Contractor will provide all corrective trimming & shoeing services’ labor, tools (rasp, hoof tester, farrier knife, hoof nippers, shoe pullers, wedge, anvil, forge, nailing hammer, nail clincher, clinching block, hoof stand, hoof gauge) and supplies needed (steel shoes, aluminum shoes, nails, borium or Ice nails, any other corrective hoof care supplies as needed such as wedges, pads, specialty shoes, etc.

and, over the counter medications)to perform corrective trimming and shoeing. Corrective Trimming & Shoeing services required for the entire herd as requested by the Herd Manager.

Emergency Hoof Repair Order

Contractor shall provide all emergency hoof repair services’ labor, tools (Example: rasp, hoof tester, farrier knife, hoof nippers, shoe pullers, wedge, anvil, forge, nailing hammer, nail clincher, clinching block, hoof stand, hoof gauge) and supplies needed (Example: steel shoes, aluminum shoes, nails, borium or Ice nails, emergency hoof care supplies) Contractor shall provide, over the counter medications, bonding epoxy, and bonding agents)to provide emergency Hoof Repair.. Emergency Hoof Repair Services required for up to 80 horses as requested by Herd Manager. Horseshoes and shoeing nails should be chosen to best support MWE activities and be appropriate to foot size, so that nails are driven 1/4-1/3 of the way up the hoof wall Response shall be within 24 hours of determined Emergency Hoof repair need. Invoicing shall be per head of horse except in the case of a loose or lost shoe prior to regularly scheduled farriery, in which case such services are included in the firm fixed price of the farrier services.

Additional Shoe and Hoof Specifications:

• Each individual hoof should have three nails on the inside and when feasible. Nails should be roughly 25-33% up the hoof wall from the sole to the coronet band and aligned with each other, completely flush with the hoof wall upon completion.

• Unless otherwise directed tungsten studs will be applied to the heel of the shoe, with additional studs as needed per animal for traction issues. This will be directed.

• The hoof will be trimmed at a specific automatically corrected angleunless otherwise directed.

• Trim foot to fully exfoliate to the healthy live/shiny sole so that the frog or sole shows no excessive chalk.

• Upon completion of shoeing, the horseshoe should be completely flush with the shape of the hoof, with no overhang, and the shoe should be entirely flush with the hoof wall with zero light retracting through.