Sol_140L0125R0001.pdf

Solicitation No. 140L0125R0001 Contract No. TBD upon award Set Aside: 100 % Small Business Commercial Service Acquisition

Wild Horse and Burro Program, Support Services Off Range Pastures in 14 states

Multiple-Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Headquarters 2025

Bureau of Land Management

SOLICITATION 140L0125R0001

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

WILD HORSE OFF-RANGE PASTURES

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Contents

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION A – SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM…………………………………… …….4

SECTION B – SCHEDULE OF SERVICES/PRICING

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

PART III – LIST of DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, and OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J– LIST OF ATTACHMENTS ……………………………………………………52

PART IV –REPRESENTATIONS and INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR

RESPONDENTS

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

LWA

Washington DC 20003 20 M Street SE

BLM ACQ & FA (WO855)

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

115210

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORLWA

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

01/10/2025 1700 MS

12/10/2024

6617337092William Simpkins (No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

140L0125R0001

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 148 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

Washington DC 20003 20 M Street SE

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$11

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

BLM ACQ & FA (WO855)

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) No.

140L0125R0001 for the procurement of Wild Horse and Burro Program Support Services for Off Range Pastures (ORP) in 14 states.

This acquisition is conducted in accordance with FAR Parts 12, 15, and 16. The Government anticipates making award(s) without discussions and may not seek clarifications or hold discussions. The award decision may be based on the offeror's initial proposal. Refer to

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

Cristina Hayden

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Standard Form 1449 block 8 for the due date for offers. For QUESTIONS REGARDING the SOLICITATION, see RFP Section L.

This RFP and resulting Indefinite Delivery

Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract awards are subject to the following stipulation: Delivery of horses on Task Orders SHALL NOT COMMENCE until the stipulation of successful completion of the

Environmental Assessment (EA), in accordance with the specifications, terms and conditions contained herein and within the solicitation.

The award is subject to termination if the EA is not approved.

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

148 2 of

WILD HORSE OFF-RANGE PASTURES

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SECTION B SCHEDULE OF SERVICES/PRICING

*Total Maximum price will be calculated as follows. Maximum Number of Horses multiplied by days in the period. The schedule below is prepared with the expectation of using a year period and then multiplied by the Unit Price.

** Years Three and Seven will have 366 days due to leap year.

YEAR ONE PRICING

JULY 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026

Description of Services

Maximum Number of Horses

Unit Price (Per Head/Per Day)

Estimated (Est) Total Maximum Price*

Animal Feed and Care – Long Term Services

YEAR TWO PRICING

JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027

Est. Total Maximum Price*

YEAR THREE PRICING

JULY 1, 2027 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028**

** Year Three will have 366 days due to leap year.

YEAR FOUR PRICING

JULY 1, 2028 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2029

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YEAR FIVE PRICING

JULY 1, 2029 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2030

YEAR SIX PRICING

JULY 1, 2030 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2031

YEAR SEVEN PRICING

JULY 1, 2031 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2032**

YEAR EIGHT PRICING

JULY 1, 2032 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2033

YEAR NINE PRICING

JULY 1, 2033 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2034

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YEAR TEN PRICING

JULY 1, 2034 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2035

Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Total Estimated Pricing

Ordering Period Month, Years Est. Total Max Price* One 07/01/2025-06/30/2026 Two 07/01/2026-06/30/2027

Three 07/01/2027-06/30/2028 Four 07/01/2028-06/30/2029 Five 07/01/2029-06/30/2030 Six 07/01/2030-06/30/2031

Seven 07/01/2031-06/30/2032 Eight 07/01/2032-06/30/2033 Nine 07/01/2033-06/30/2034 Ten 07/01/2034-06/30/2035

Total Estimated Contract Value (Cumulative Est. Total Max Price, Ordering Periods 1-5 or 1-10)

FAR Clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services will be incorporated into this solicitation and any resulting contracts. To determine the 6-month extension cost the government will take the Offerors final year pricing and divide it by 12 and then multiply it by six. This 6-month option pricing will be part of the evaluation process and will be considered part of the overall evaluated price.

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SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0 BACKGROUND

Wild horses and burros on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (USFS) are protected, managed, and controlled under the provisions of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of December 15, 1971, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1331- 1340). As resource conditions and other factors warrant, excess wild horses are removed from the public lands and made available to the public to be placed into private care through adoptions and sales programs. Wild horses that have not been adopted or purchased are cared for in off-range corrals (ORCs) and off-range pastures (ORPs). The BLM has initiated a management strategy that provides for the removal of more excess wild horses and burros than our nationwide off-range corrals and pastures can accommodate.

A. The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain off-range pasture space located in the following states: Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The area west of the Cascade Mt. Range in Oregon and Washington shall be excluded. Contractor shall have capacity to care for a minimum of 200 animals and shall propose their maximum facility capacity, not to exceed 10,000 wild horses in a pasture (grassland) setting on private land. Wild horses are to be maintained in pastures large enough to allow free-roaming behavior; provide adequate forage, water, and shelter necessary to sustain animals in good body condition.

B. Minimize the handling of animals by humans.

C. Provide regular, on the ground monitoring and inventory of the animals to ascertain their well-being and safety (PWS Sec. 7.2H).

D. Gather and prepare all animals in accordance with the Attachment No. 01 –

Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) section V.

E. Provide management by individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced about the behavior and nutritional requirements of equines and the management of land for the sustained production of grass and other desirable forage plants (PWS Sec. 5.1).

On December 8, 2004, Public Law 108-341; Section 142 amended the 1971 Wild and Free- Roaming Horses and Burros Act (Public Law 92-195) that requires the BLM to sell excess wild horses and burros which meet the following criteria:

Animals that are 11 years of age and older; or Animals that have been offered unsuccessfully at three adoption events.

This may require the BLM to remove animals that meet the above criteria or as otherwise determined by the authorized government personnel from contracted ORPs during the contract.

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2.0 ACRONYMNS & DEFINITIONS

TERM Acronym DEFINITIONS

Environmental Assessment

EA

Is a concise public document prepared by a federal agency to aid in its compliance with the ACT and support its determination of whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a finding of no significant impact. The EA is designed to address the potential environmental impact of developing or using federal lands or federal undertaking on non-federal lands.

Head =

The number of wild horses at the site. The Contractor will only be paid for the actual number of head times the number of feed day services performed. For calculating the daily unit rate per head, a lactating mare and her dependent foal will count as one unit until the foal is weaned at approximately 6 months of age.

Henneke Scale Body Condition Score

BCS

A consistent method of objective evaluation of a horse’s body condition based on visual and palpable fat cover over set points on a horse.

National Environmental Policy Act

NEPA

Please refer to; https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa;

and https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/what-informs-our-plans/nepa

Off-Range Pasture ORP

Contracted (private pasture) facilities that provide a natural free-roaming environment for hundreds of wild horses gathered from overpopulated public rangelands. ORP requirements do not train or place WHB up for adoptions.

3.0 REFERENCES, REGULATIONS, & POLICIES

Contractor must comply with all applicable Federal and State regulations relating to livestock.

4.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

The Contractor shall provide all necessary land, facilities, pastures, personnel and supplies to perform the to the standards in this contract, see Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 7 and assume primary responsibility for care of all wild horses located at the facility.

4.1 Area and Hours of Operation

The services are performed at the Contractor’s facilities. The Contractor shall be available to support the care, feeding, and safety of animals as identified in the PWS and accepted submittals.

4.2 Quality Control

The Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan (QCP) Submittal No. 02. It shall be reviewed and accepted by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified.

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The Government shall inspect services to verify compliance with the standards of the Terms and Conditions of the contract. The Contractor is responsible for providing quality control to assure that work complies with requirements of the contract. All work included in the contract PWS shall be subject to inspections by the Government at periodic intervals during the performance of this contract. Scheduled or unscheduled inspections are for the sole benefit of the Government and shall not release the Contractor of the responsibility of providing quality control measures to assure that the work strictly complies with the contract requirements. The Contractor shall submit a QCP, Submittal No. 02 to the COR for acceptance not later than fourteen calendar days from the IDIQ award. It shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

A. A description of the inspection system for monitoring animal Henneke Body Condition Score

(BCS), forage and water availability, and supplemental feed amounts and quality. The description shall specify the areas to be inspected on both a scheduled and random basis, the frequency of the inspections, and the title and organizational placement of the inspectors.

B. A description of the methods to be used for identifying, correcting, and preventing defects in the quality of service performed.

C. A description of the records to be kept to document inspections and corrective or preventive actions taken.

D. A description of the record management plan, including but not limited to, a description of the records created, location and media-type of records, record retention schedule, and availability of records for review.

E. A description of the methods to be used to safeguard and account for all animals.

F. A description of the methods to be used to ensure that all animals receive humane care and treatment.

4.3 Physical Security

Provide security for wild horses, and government equipment while at the facility as identified by the Task Order. The Contractor may leave their equipment and Government-furnished property at the Contractor’s facility and sites. However, the Contractor shall be responsible for the Contractor’s equipment and Government-furnished property if it should be lost, stolen, or damaged. The Contractor will address their physical security standard operating procedures in the Pasture Management Plan, as provided by Offeror in their proposal and accepted at award.

4.3 Other Information: Public, Publicity, Access to Job Site, etc.

The site is not intended to be a public viewing area. Therefore, the Contractor will prohibit access onto the site by the general public. The BLM may require access for the public and/or media tours hosted by BLM staff and the Contractor during the life of the contract. The

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Contractor shall notify the COR in writing within 24 hours of any request from humane, general public, media or wild horse interest groups, to observe the animals. This shall be submitted as Submittal No. 03. All request from BLM employees (other than the COR, Project Inspector (PI), or Contracting Officer (CO)), organizations and groups may be allowed to tour the site only under the approval and guidance of the COR. All requests to view the animals shall be directed to the COR. Contractor will contact the BLM COR if harassment activities are occurring within the pasture.

5.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

5.1 Key Personnel Qualifications

The pasture facility must have employees with training, skills, and experience necessary to assess animal health, provide adequate supplemental feed, maintain accurate inventories, humanely euthanize, and move and handle the animals at the facility. The facility must have personnel that can perform the work in accordance with the RFP and PWS such as properly maintain pasture fences, corral infrastructure, and water sources to provide for the well-being, movement, and handling of the animals. The Contractor shall provide key personnel that are familiar with the health requirements of equines.

There are two Key Personnel positions: Project Manager (PM) and Alternate Project Manager (APM). At the time of award, the individual designated as the PM shall have full authority to act in all matters of PWS administration (including payments and proposed modifications) on behalf of the Contractor and shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The proposed PM and APM should have similar magnitude of experience comparable to the PWS requirements, with minimums as follows:

minimum of 1-year supervising employees (excluding the APM);

minimum of 3-years managing the care, feeding, and handling of livestock, including horses;

minimum of 3-years managing livestock grazing for sustained forage production and water availability.

The Contractor’s PM or APM are responsible for performance of the work and animals seven (7) days a week in accordance with the contract.

The Key Personnel shall include their qualifications, resumes, references, whether they are full time, part-time, or on call, supervisory or non-supervisory, if supervisory then state the minimum and maximum number of employees, positions they supervise, and job duties.

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Key Personnel To Be Determined (TBD), (Individual names shall be included in the resultant contract at time of award)

Position Employee Name Phone and email

Project Manger (PM) TBD TBD

Alternate PM TBD

TBD

Due to the nature of the process of awarding contracts after NEPA approval is obtained the BLM understands that Key Personnel submitted with the Offeror's proposal may no longer be available for employment. The BLM will allow the Offeror to submit replacement Key Personnel for acceptance at the time of IDIQ award. Substitute Key Personnel must meet the qualification requirements of the PWS.

Any substitutions or additions to the key personnel listing, the Offeror shall provide a resume for each individual. These resumes shall include their experience as identified above.

Proposed substitutions should have comparable qualifications to those of the individuals being replaced.

The Offeror is to certify that the additional or substituted key personnel under this contract have not been convicted of, nor are currently under indictment or investigation for any charges related to animal cruelty or similar offenses.

During the first twelve (12) months of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, termination of employment, or otherwise approved by the CO. The Contractor shall notify the COR and copy furnished (cc) the CO within 5 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide a resume that meets the minimum requirements as listed above in Key Personnel. The COR will review and provide written acceptance, or rejection within five (5) days.

5.2 Contractor Personnel and Subcontractors

Key personnel must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. The personnel hired must be physically capable to work outside in varying climate conditions. Contract personnel shall have the knowledge, skills, and ability to safely handle wild horses. The Offeror is to certify that any personnel performing services under this contract have not been convicted of, nor are currently under indictment or investigation for any charges related to animal cruelty or similar offenses. The Contractor shall not employ persons for work on this contract if any such employees are considered by the COR to be a potential threat to the health, well-being, safety, or security of animals.

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Contractor

5.3 Contractor Security & Identification

All contract personnel are required to identify themselves as Contractors. Whether attending meetings, answering telephones, or working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties, they must make their status known to avoid creating an impression that they are Federal Government employees.

5.4 Personnel Training

BLM IM 2023-041, Wild Horse and Burro Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program Standards for Off-Range Pastures (ORPs) and Public Off-Range Pastures (PORPs) (Attachment No. 01), includes a requirement for annual training on these standards by all Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall submit certification that all employees have read and understand the CAWP policy. The BLM is currently developing CAWP training, and once available all Contractor personnel will be required to complete online training within thirty (30) days and annually thereafter. Training is anticipated to take an hour to complete. The Contractor shall have CAWP training certificates available at the request of the COR or BLM personnel.

5.5 Wages

The United States Department of Labor wage determination establishes the minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefit compensation that must be paid to employees performing Service Contract Act (SCA) covered work under the contract. However, the SCA does not preclude paying higher wages. Please refer to the RFP and Attachment No 06 SCA 2001-0244 Revision No. 49 dated December 6, 2024.

Wage determinations are located at SAM.gov | Wage Determinations via https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations. If Attachment No. 06 or a vendor’s state and counties Wage Determination does not include SCA classification codes that the vendor interprets as applicable to this requirement such as 91610 Livestock caretaker, 91810 Wrangler (occupational base), 91811 Wrangler I or 91812 Wrangler II as defined by the SCA directory of occupations fifth edition at https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/SCADirectVers5.pdf then vendors may request the codes to be added by submitting a request form (SF1444-Request for Authorization of additional Classification and Rate). The SF 1444 is located at https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/request-for-authorization-of-additional-classification-and-rate.

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5.6 Safety Plan

Contractor shall prepare Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and incorporate them into the Pasture Management Plan. The Safety SOP shall be available to all personnel and subcontractors working on the contract and subsequent task orders. The Safety Plan should cover at a minimum:

A. The plan should identify any known hazards with the potential to impact the well-being of horses or employees working at the pasture facility.

B. The plan should identify measures to mitigate these hazards.

C. The plan should include equipment/personnel necessary to respond to unforeseen emergencies (i.e. wildfire, weather extremes, escaped animals).

D. The plan should identify any personal protective equipment necessary to mitigate hazards.

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, INFORMATION, SERVICES

6.1 Government Actions

A. BLM will facilitate a Post Award Site Visit to inspect ORP facilities to assure they comply with minimum requirements identified in section 7 of the PWS prior to delivery of initial horses.

B. The BLM will award the IDIQ contract upon successful completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA)/that reaches a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and a decision record. The BLM will facilitate and complete the National Environmental Policy Act compliance including applicable surveys (i.e. cultural resources). The purpose of the EA is to verify/determine the property’s carrying capacity (an appropriate stocking level) and to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with the operation and maintenance of an ORP on the offered private and/or leased lands. BLM will complete the EA prior to issuing an IDIQ contract and subsequent task order for the placement of animals in the contractor’s facility. The BLM will not award an IDIQ contract to an apparent awardee if:

(a) resource issues are identified during the environmental analysis process which cannot be effectively incorporated into the project design features; (b) an agreement cannot be reached as to an appropriate stocking level for the offered property (based on in-depth analysis of the best available data); or (c) the Contractor is unable or unwilling to comply with any design features or additional management or monitoring requirements identified in the EA. Please see the NEPA Handbook.

The NEPA process takes on average from 6 to 24-months to complete.

C. Following NEPA completion, BLM will identify if the ORP will provide care for mare or gelding wild horses and relay this information to the Contractor. BLM will begin the coordination of shipping animals to the pasture only after the offered property meets the minimum requirements outlined in the contract specifications together with any mitigation or additional requirements identified in the BLM’s EA. Any necessary facility modifications to meet the contract specifications shall be completed within 120 days from receipt of IDIQ and shall be completed prior to issuance of a task order. Any necessary facility modifications to

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Shipment of animals to the pasture is anticipated to occur following a completed EA, signed Decision Record (DR) and award of the task order.

D. For each load of animals delivered to the facility, BLM will provide a Shipping Report identifying the animal’s freeze mark/microchip numbers, signalment key, physical description, and originating off-range corral facility; in addition to any applicable documentation for interstate transport of horses (i.e. Coggins test results, certificate of veterinary inspection). Individual animal health records documenting vaccination history will also be provided. See Sec. 7.2 for additional details.

E. BLM anticipates conducting at least three inspections throughout the year to assess animal BCS, forage/water conditions, and any animal health issues. At least one or more visits will include a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinarian who will also assess BCS and look for health problems. Inspection findings will be discussed with the Contractor. See Attachment No. 07 for an example BLM inspection report.

F. BLM and the Contractor will conduct at least one annual count to determine current inventory and assess overall animal health. BLM will document this count on Attachment No. 07, and a copy of this report will be provided to the Contractor. Adjustments to the inventory will be made based on this annual count.

G. If horses are relocated off the ORP at the conclusion of the contract performance period, or for convenience of the government, BLM will conduct all animal pre-conditioning (vaccinations, de-worming, blood testing) and preparation for shipment (brand inspection and health certificates) of horses from the Contractor. BLM will coordinate the shipping of animals from the pasture facility. BLM will provide a hydraulic squeeze chute for the purposes of preparing horses for shipment from the ORP.

H. BLM will notify the Contractor of any required dates and number of animals that need to be moved into Contractor’s corrals to facilitate relocation.

I. BLM will accept, conditionally accept, or reject specified submittal in accordance with the

PWS.

7.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED SERVICES, FACTILITES, MATERIALS, AND

SUPPLIES

7.1 General Tasks

The Contractor shall provide all necessary land, facilities, pastures, personnel, equipment (except for the hydraulic squeeze chute Sec. 6.1 G) and supplies to perform the following general tasks.

Specific requirements for each are set forth in the subsequent paragraphs of this PWS. The Contractor shall:

a. Provide land, forage, salt, minerals, water and fences necessary to properly care for and maintain a minimum of 200 up to a maximum of 10,000 wild horses (based on the

D11/V1 12.11.2024 (SAM.gov) Page 17 of 151 agreed upon appropriate stocking level). The Contractor must also provide supplemental feed as necessary to maintain the animals in good condition (i.e. during periods of drought, deep snow, ice storms, fire, during times when the forage is depleted of protein content or when other circumstances warrant). The animals should be grazed on grassland pastures that are capable of producing sufficient standing forage for a period of at least eight months or longer. It is anticipated that supplemental feeding will be required for a 120-day period. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to plan and budget for the amount of supplemental feed that will be necessary to maintain animals in good BCS. Funding for additional supplemental feed will only be provided in situations described in PWS Sec 7.2 E4 (below). The pastures should have sufficient rock and soil type to maintain proper hoof size and shape without trimming.

b. Maintain fences and keep animals on offered lands and prevent animals from escaping onto neighboring lands. Contractor shall make every effort to immediately return escaped animals back onto contracted lands. Contractor shall notify the COR if, within 48 hours, escaped horses cannot be returned to contracted lands. Should the escape of animals occur, all costs to catch, gather, remove and/or return any escaped horses to said facility shall be incurred by the Contractor. In the event the Contractor fails to return escaped horses within 30 days, BLM will attempt to retrieve said animals and charge the Contractor for all expenses incurred. If trespass penalties/violations are incurred, the Contractor shall be liable for all costs associated. Once the BLM has determined the total cost of retrieval of escaped animals, the Contractor will be notified in writing by the Contracting Officer, and the total cost will be deducted from the next invoice.

c. Provide corrals and adequate facilities to load and unload wild horses on an as needed basis.

d. Unload, sort and segregate animals as needed upon their arrival, when additional horses are transported to the facility.

e. Gather and move horses from pasture to pasture as needed, supervise their health and welfare, and maintain the facilities in a safe hazard free condition.

f. If directed by the COR, gather and hold in isolation horses up to a period of 90 days, until time for shipment, as directed by the COR.

g. Prior to the submission of the monthly invoice, the Contractor will conduct a complete inventory of all animals and deaths. The results of each inventory will be included in the monthly invoice. Maintain a record keeping system that documents the frequency and results of these observations.

h. Catalog and maintain the health records that accompany each animal delivered to the pasture (as discussed provided for in Sec. 6.1 D). Each death will be recorded by the freeze mark and/or description of the animal, date the animal was noted as dead and then submitted on each month’s invoice. The records shall be made available for

D11/V1 12.11.2024 (SAM.gov) Page 18 of 151 duplication within 5 days after a request is made by the COR. The monthly invoice, death records and receiving information will be due to the COR by the fifteenth (15th) of the month for the last month’s payment. See Attachment No. 08 for Example Invoice and Reports.

i. Dispose of the remains of dead animals according to their state and or local requirements for disposal of dead animals. The Contractor or their representative approved by the COR will be required to complete euthanasia training by firearm as required by BLM policy for reasons of acts of mercy, health and safety.

j. The Contractor agrees not to pasture any other horses wild or domestic other than those delivered by the BLM in the same pastured occupied by wild horses. In the event neighboring horses show up in a contracted pasture with BLM animals, the Contractor shall immediately remove domestic horses and notify the COR. Further, action to reduce trespass domestic horses will be handled on a case-by-case basis (i.e.

construction of a double fence).

k. Perform all animal handling, care and maintenance, and facility design in accordance with BLMs Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) Standards for Off-Range Pastures (Attachment No. 01). The CAWP standards are tied closely to the items in this PWS. The BLM is utilizing a CAWP assessment program to ensure that BLM employees and Contractors involved in the WH&B program are adhering to the CAWP requirements (WH&B website) at https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/comprehensive-animal-welfare-program. The CAWP assessment program will conduct CAWP assessments during the life of the contract. The BLM CAWP assessment report will be provided to the Contractors by the COR or CO upon completion as applicable. The COR will consider the findings of the CAWP assessment and may address any non-compliant standards via the Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR, see RFP E.4 and Attachment No. 09). The Contractor will have the opportunity to review and respond to the CAWP assessment prior to it being posted publicly. The BLM will make the CAWP assessment report publicly available on the above website.

Names of Contractors, contract numbers or other personal/proprietary information will not be included in the report or posted. The CAWP requires annual training for all personnel, including BLM staff and Contractors involved in off-range pastures. The free online training typically takes an hour to complete. Once the training is completed, the Contractor will provide the certificate of completion to the COR and cc the CO.

Instructions to access the training will be provided to the Contractor after contract award.

7.2 Specific Services

A. Handling and Gathering

1. When animals are transported to the pasture, they will normally arrive at the site in trailer loads of approximately 33-36 head per load. The Contractor will provide a telephone number where they can be reached anytime for scheduling shipments.

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BLM will attempt to schedule shipments for daytime arrival. Animals shall be unloaded immediately upon arrival. Contractor will provide written notification to the COR of any discrepancies (i.e. inaccurate numbers or genders) with shipped loads.

2. Gathering or movement of animals between pastures may be done by the Contractor for the purposes of range management practices, to facilitate an accurate inventory, or in response to emergencies. During pastures moves all handling of animals will be limited to the level necessary to accomplish the task.

3. Gathering for the purpose of removing animals will be conducted when it is deemed necessary and determined by the COR. A BLM designated representative (either the COR or the PI) will be on site during the gather. Animals will be maintained in a corral area or small acclimation pasture with sufficient feed and water to maintain proper body condition, until notified by the COR for shipment. Contractor will provide all feed and water, sufficient labor and facilities to move and sort animals prior to shipment.

4. A minimum of two weeks prior to gathering of the animals the Contractor will be notified in writing by the COR with a cc to the CO. The COR will notify the Contractor of the number of animals that need to be gathered, prepared and shipped.

5. When necessary, the Contractor is required to perform euthanasia for reasons related to acts of mercy, health and safety will be performed in a timely and humane manner in accordance with BLM PIM 2021-007 Euthanasia of Wild Horses and Burros Related to Acts of Mercy, Health or Safety (Attachment No. 02). This requirement applies to all horses on a pasture, regardless of age or other physical condition.

Horses that cannot maintain a BCS of 4 or above due to age or other physical conditions identified in this policy, shall be euthanized by the Contractor in accordance with this policy.

6. If the contract is terminated for default or partial default by BLM, the costs associated with relocating the animals will be the responsibility of the Contractor. Relocation costs may include, but not limited to; transportation, shipping, pre-conditioning (as determined by the COR) to include vaccinations, de-worming, Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) testing, brand inspections, health certificates, BLM staff time, including overtime and travel expenses. Once the BLM has determined the total cost of relocation of animals, the Contractor will be notified, and the total cost will be deducted from the next invoice.

B. Receiving Corral/Alleyways/Holding and Acclimation Pens (reference Attachment No.

01 CAWP Standards Sec. II B&C and Sec. III A for corral/acclimation pen requirements)

1. Corrals and alleys may be permanent or temporary (portable panels). It is anticipated that the corrals will be used to receive, hold, gather, ship and prepare horses. The

D11/V1 12.11.2024 (SAM.gov) Page 20 of 151 corrals must be at least 72 inches high and made of stoutly constructed material i.e.

pipe, steel, lumber, etc. No barbed wire will be allowed in the construction of corrals and any corral constructed of mesh wire (openings no larger than 2 by 4 inches) must be equipped with at least 3 wood sight boards (2 by 8 inches). The three sight boards shall be spaced no more than 12 inches apart. Corrals constructed of pipe or wood must have openings of not more than 12 inches between horizontal members.

Corrals, alleys and holding areas need to be free of protrusions, and hazards. Corral gates shall be constructed of wood or pipe the same height as the fences. Gates shall be visible to the horses either from the materials used in construction or by using materials such as plywood or plastic mesh placed on the gates. The Contractor will furnish a stable area (concrete or gravel) to place a hydraulic squeeze chute (provided by the BLM) as needed. Electricity (120 volts AC) must be available to run the hydraulic squeeze chute.

2. A minimum of three sorting corrals, each with a minimum of 2,500 square feet, which would be used for holding animals for short term (up to five days prior to shipment).

Additional pasture/trap/dry lot space shall be available for close upholding of 20% of the animals under contract.

3. Soil types in corrals/pens must be well drained and non-alkaline in nature. Slopes within the pens shall provide for adequate drainage.

4. At least two or more acclimation pastures (1-3 acres in size) to maintain approximately 100 wild horses prior to shipment (up to 90 days) will be necessary.

These pastures need to be accessible to the working corral and constructed to have fencing to hold foals if needed during the weaning process. Fencing must be constructed with the bottom wire no more than 12 inches off the ground to prevent a foal from going under the fence.

5. For small pastures/traps/dry lots, described under (4) above, water will always be available for animals being maintained therein.

6. All newly received animals will be held and fed in acclimation pastures for a minimum of two weeks before being turned out into larger pastures to acclimate the horses to the feed truck and the fences. If any newly arrived horse(s) are still wearing a neck rope, animals will need to be sorted off and neck ropes removed prior to turnout into larger pastures. COR shall be notified if any horses have neck ropes or unmarked upon arrival.

7. All foals born at the pasture must be gathered and made available upon BLM request.

Shipment of foals would occur within 12 months, but not before four months of age.

8. Adequately constructed gates and crowding alleys are required to facilitate gathering, preparing, and shipping animals. These components must meet the height and material requirements listed under B.1 above and Attachment 1 Sec. II and III.

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9. The runway must have solid sides, have at least three sliding gates, be solidly constructed of steel or lumber, be at least 36 feet in length, 28-32 inches wide, and at least 72 inches tall.

10. Unloading and Working Facility -The facility shall have a loading and unloading chute, sufficient to safely unload and load semi-trailer trucks and small stock trailers.

Chutes shall have solid sides which restrict the animal’s vision and will minimize the risk that animals may attempt to jump out of the chute. Where the loading chute meets the truck, no gaps or holes will be allowed. Contractor must be able to modify width of loading chute to prevent gaps larger than two inches between chute and trailer to accommodate straight deck trailers. If chute has brace bar(s) between the two sides, across the top, there must be a 72-inch minimum head clearance. Fences, in the working area shall be at a minimum of 72 inches high, stoutly constructed and made of lumber, pipe, or steel.

C. Pasture Fences

Pasture fences shall be at least four strands and a minimum of 48 inches in height and completely enclose the pasture and shall be of barbed wire. All division fences shall consist of four strands (minimum) of barbed wire or other acceptable fencing materials. If determined by the COR, it may be necessary for the Contractor to flag certain fences with a minimum of eight (8) inches of flagging attached to the top horizontal member of the fence every 20 feet to make the fences more visible to the horses (or native wildlife). In some areas, wildlife-friendly fences will need to be constructed (these may include raising the bottom wire from 16-18 inches off the ground; use of a white resin coated top wire, use of smooth (as compared to barbed wire) at key wildlife crossings; the use of extensive flagging or attaching a piece of white PVC pipe to the top wire to increase visibility; or the construction of gates or sections of let-down fence at key wildlife crossings and opening or letting down these sections when horses are not grazing in the pasture. The need for modification of any existing fences or the construction of any new fences to meet wildlife-friendly guidelines will be identified as mitigation during the BLM’s NEPA process. The one constant is that the height of the perimeter fencing will not be any lower than 48 inches. Gates, rather than cattle guards, should be used at all road crossings or fence openings to keep horses in pastures (gates across existing cattleguards are acceptable). Electric or “hot wire” fencing is not authorized for pasture or acclimatation pen fence construction.

D. Pastures

1. The pasture shall have sufficient land and forage to sustain a minimum of 200 animals up to a maximum of 10,000 animals (maximum quantity of animals is dependent on the agreed upon appropriate stocking level) year-round. The pastures must have sufficient rock and soil types to maintain proper hoof size and shape to

D11/V1 12.11.2024 (SAM.gov) Page 22 of 151 maintain animal’s hooves in good shape without the need for trimming. Pastures comprised of only sandy soil with no rock component will not be considered to meet this need.

a. Pastures or combination of pastures shall be of sufficient size to allow an animal’s freedom of movement and the ability to exercise for good health, natural hoof trimming and to continue their free roaming behavior. Preference will be given to pastures that are in a contiguous block. Non-contiguous pastures will be considered based on the following conditions: Pastures meet the objectives as outlined in this PWS, pastures can be no farther than a 30-mile radius from the center of operations, and pastures must be able to carry a minimum of 25% of the agreed upon stocking level.

b. Pastures shall be free of hazards such as unfenced graveled or paved public highways, junk, old spools of wire, oil/gas development sites or other stored fencing materials, old cars, machinery, etc.

2. Sufficient land and forage shall be made available for the maximum number of animals contracted. If the herd is reduced by BLM, pastures may be converted to domestic livestock use by the Contractor with written approval of the CO and COR.

Stocking domestic horses adjacent to or with the animals is not allowed or acceptable.

3. The available standing vegetation in pastures must be of sufficient nutritive quality and quantity to maintain the animals in good condition yearlong, with supplemental feeding. Good condition is described as follows: A Henneke BCS of four or better meaning only a faint outline of the ribs can be seen; the neck shoulders and withers are not obviously thin; the backbone is not easily seen; and the hip bones do not show (Attachment No. 10).

4. The stocking rate for the site may be reduced as necessary throughout the life of the contract to assure animals and pastures are maintained in good condition, as described above. Conditions that warrant adjustments in stocking rate include drought, wildfire, or other unforeseen events that reduce forage or water availability. Contractor to propose the revised stocking rate that may be adjusted after CO written acceptance.

BLM may also reduce the stocking rate during the contract period to maintain animals in good condition. BLM will provide the Contractor a minimum of 14 days written notification prior to any reductions in stocking rate.

5. Shelter from the natural elements shall be provided in each pasture by the topography (e.g., canyons, hills, etc.), other natural features such as trees, or manmade structures.

The offered lands cannot have a tree canopy cover that prevents desirable forage species from growing or a canopy cover which prevents the Contractor and the BLM from obtaining an accurate monthly inventory of animals at the facility.

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E. Supplemental Feed

1. Supplemental feed approved by the BLM shall be available at the site to feed animals when natural forage quantity or nutritional value are too low to maintain horses in acceptable BCS at all times (Henneke BCS>4). It is anticipated that supplemental feeding will be required for a 120-day period. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to plan and budget for the amount of supplemental feed that will be necessary to maintain animals in good BCS. Funding for additional supplemental feed will only be provided in situations described in PWS Sec 7.2 E 4 (below). When hay is used, animals shall be fed long stemmed alfalfa, grass, grass-alfalfa mix or other supplements appropriate for horses, with energy and protein sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the animals. Some types of grass hay may not have sufficient protein and energy to maintain or improve the body condition of thin animals.

Supplemental feeds traditionally used for animals are preferred. Manufactured range cubes are acceptable, however, byproduct feeds, ammoniated hay, urea, fermented feeds, haylage, silage and liquid supplements are not.

During the supplemental feeding period, feeding will be done at least every other day and more frequently if necessary. Hay used shall be leafy, green, well cured, and free of dust, mold, weeds, awns and foreign material. The amount of hay fed may need to be 2-3% of their body weight depending on wastage, the amount of pasture forage available and other supplemental feeds used as needed to maintain the animals in a good Henneke BCS of four or above. If animals begin to show poor body condition, specific feeding practices will be developed in consultation with the COR. Inclement weather will stress animals, requiring that the volume of feed be increased to maintain good body condition. Feed shall be provided to the animals in a clean, well-drained area free of mud or standing water and provided in a manner that all animals including those that are more timid or lower in the social order can readily eat at the same time. This means enough feeding space (i.e. 20%) needs to be provided so animals can re-sort themselves without animal-to-animal competition.

2. For animals maintained in corrals or small pastures access to water will be continuous, and checked or topped off twice each day, feed will be provided continuously or daily.

3. During times that natural forage will not maintain animals in good condition, typically during the dormant period, the Contractor will supplement animals depending on location and weather. The Contractor shall coordinate with the COR as to when supplementation during the dormant period occurs as well as during adverse acts of Mother Nature.

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4. During unforeseen environmental emergencies (i.e. drought, fire, blizzards, or floods) funding for supplemental feed beyond the required 120-day period may be provided by BLM under certain conditions. Funding for additional supplemental feed will only be provided to the Contractor after consultation (i.e.