Synopsis_1.pdf

WILD HORSE AND BURRO OFF-RANGE PASTURES 5 OR 10 YEARS IN THE STATES OF CO, ID, KS, MT, NE, NV, ND, OK, OR, SD, UT, WA, AND WY FOR 200 TO 10,000 ANIMALS.

This announcement serves as a synopsis for the Wild Horse and Burro Program.

The solicitation, 140l0121R0001, will be issued on or about June 02, 2021, with a proposal due date on or about July 19, 2021.

This solicitation will not be set aside for small businesses. This solicitation is a full and open competition.

Once awarded, an established capacity for a facility will be determined. During the period of performance this total capacity can only fluctuate 10% over the established capacity set forth in the contract. In the event of unforeseen circumstances and/or emergencies an adjustment may be implemented, after consultation with the Contracting

Officer Representative (COR) and approved by the Contracting Officer (CO). Reaching the established capacity set forth in the contract may not be achieved within the first 24 months of the contract.

** A feed day is defined as: "The price to feed one animal for one full day, except mare pairs, which count as one animal feed day." Contractor shall complete by multiplying the number of animals they propose to care for by

365 (for evaluation purposes only)

NOTE: The Contractor will be paid based on the actual number of feed days per month, using the unit price per feed day, as offered by the Contractor.

DRAFT DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

1. BACKGROUND

a. Wild horse and burros on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S.

Forest Service are protected, managed, and controlled under the provisions of the Wild and Free Roaming

Horses and Burro Act of December 15, 1971, as amended (16 U.S.C. 13311340). 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 corrals and pastures.

b. The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain off-range pasture (ORP) space located in the following states:

Colorado, Idaho, 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. The objective for each off-range pasture is to care for a minimum of 200 animals and up to a maximum of 10,000 animals. The intent is to provide a pasture (grassland) setting for these animals while they are cared for on private land.

c. 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) and 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 or more adoptions.

This may require BLM to remove animals that meet the above criteria from the contracted pasture during the course of the contract. All animals that are in poor health will be evaluated consistent with BLM policy for euthanasia due to acts of mercy, health, and safety. All wild horses that do not meet the above criteria will remain in a free-roaming environment.

d. Each pasture considered for contract award must have the capacity to maintain a minimum of 200 animals up to a maximum of 10,000 animals throughout the initial, base year of the contract with either four or nine one-year option periods.

e. The BLM will advise offerors if they are in the competitive range, if they are not, and if they are no longer in the competitive range. The BLM may award the contract just prior to the completion of an Environmental

Assessment (EA). The purpose of the EA is to 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. The BLM will not award or can terminate the contract for convenience if: (a) resource issues are identified during the environmental analysis process which cannot be effectively mitigated; (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 mitigation or additional management or monitoring requirements identified in the EA.

f. The NEPA process is a minimum of six months. The process could take up to 18-24 months. ORPs formerly used or currently used by the BLM for which the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA) have been met will be awarded upon the completion of a Determination of NEPA Adequacy

(DNA).

g. BLM will also inspect the offered property to assure it complies with the minimum requirements identified in the contract specifications. If the contractor is unable or unwilling to comply with the contract specifications, the BLM will not award a contract or will terminate for default.

h. The 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. Shipment of animals to the pasture is anticipated to occur following a completed EA, signed Decision Record (DR), and award of the contract. No payments shall be made until after animals are received at the pastures and have resided at the pasture for one month.

The Contractor will be reimbursed on a per animal feed day basis for the previous month of service. No advance payments are authorized.

2. OBJECTIVES

a. Protecting animal welfare by ensuring appropriate care handling and humane treatment of all wild horses under BLM management is a primary consideration for all Wild Horse and Burro Program activities.

b. To maintain excess wild horses in pastures large enough to allow free roaming behavior and can provide adequate forage, water, and shelter necessary to sustain the animals in good condition. To provide pastures that can supply adequate forage, water, and shelter necessary to sustain a minimum of 200 horses in good condition. Good condition is described as follows: A Henneke score 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.

c. To gather and prepare all animals in a humane manner that falls under the criterion of saleable or adoptable animals.

d. To minimize the handling of animals by humans.

e. To provide regular, on the ground monitoring and inventory of the animals to ascertain their well-being and safety.

f. 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.

3. GENERAL SERVICES

The contractor shall provide all necessary land, facilities, pastures, personnel and supplies to perform the following general tasks. Specific requirements for each are set forth in the subsequent paragraphs of the

Description/Specifications/Work Statement.

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 offeror’s proposal). 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. Supplemental feeding may be necessary for a period of four months or longer. The pastures should have sufficient rock and soil type to maintain proper hoof size and shape without trimming.

b. Maintain fences and to keep animals on offered lands and prevent animals from escaping onto neighboring 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 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.

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. Gather and hold in isolation horses that fall under the criterion of adoptable or saleable wild horses for a minimum of 30 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 health records that accompany each animal at the pasture and its overall condition.

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 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 first week of the month for the last month’s payment.

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 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).

4 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 32-36 head per load. The contractor will provide a telephone number where they can be reached anytime for scheduling shipments. BLM will attempt to schedule shipments for daytime arrival. Animals shall be unloaded as soon as possible.

2. Animal handling will be done with the goal of minimizing fear, stress, and the risk of injury to the greatest degree possible using pressure and release methods to move, sort and load animals. Animals shall be handled to minimize excitement of the animals to prevent injuries from crowding or trampling.

3. Gathering or movement of animals between pastures may be done by the contractor and all handling of animals will be kept to a minimum. However, it may be necessary to move the animals from one pasture to another because of range management practices or planned events.

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

5. The contractor will be notified by the COR a minimum of two weeks prior to gathering of the animals.

The COR will notify the contractor of the number of animals that need to be gathered, prepared, and shipped.

6. When necessary, euthanasia for reasons related to acts of mercy, health and safety will be performed in a timely and humane manner in accordance with BLM policy.

7. If the contract is terminated for default or partial default by BLM, or if the Contractor terminates the contract, 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, EIA testing, brand inspections, health certificates, BLM staff time, including overtime and travel expenses.

B. Corral/Alleyways/Holding Facility

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 corrals must be at least 72" 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 chute provided by the Bureau. Electricity (120 volts) 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/drylot 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 small acclimation pastures to maintain approximately 100 wild horses prior to shipment (30 days or more) 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 prevent a foal from going under the fencing.

5. For small pastures/traps/drylots, described under (4) above, water will be available at all times for animals being maintained therein.

6. All newly received animals will be held and fed 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/PI (Project Inspector) 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. Adequate gates and crowding alleys are required to facilitate gathering, preparing, and shipping animals.

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

Perimeter fences shall be at least four strands and a minimum of 48" 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 and/or PI, it may be necessary for the contractor to flag certain fences with 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” 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 EA process. The one constant is that the height of the perimeter fencing will not be any lower than 48”. Gates, rather than cattle guards, should be used at all road crossings or fence openings to keep horses in pastures.

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 (depending on the offeror’s proposal) year-round. The pastures must have sufficient rock and soil types to maintain proper hoof size and shape to maintain animal’s hooves in good shape without the need for trimming.

a. The offered private lands must be either: (1) privately owned by the offeror; or (2) controlled by the offeror for the contract period (i.e., 5 or 10 years). Loss of control of leased lands may result in contract termination.

b. The offered lands cannot include unfenced public lands (e.g., no National Forest or BLM lands may be included). If any unfenced public lands are located within the privately owned or controlled land, the public lands must be fenced out prior to delivery of animals. Fence specifications are outlined in section C Fences above and will not be used in the BLM’s calculation of the carrying capacity.

c. The offered private lands must be located at least 10 miles away from any BLM wild horse and burro herd area, herd management area or Forest Service Wild Horse and Burro Territory. It is the responsibility of the offeror to verify that offered lands meet this requirement. Information on the location of BLM Wild Horse and Burro Herd Management Areas, Herd Areas and/or Forest

Service Wild Horse and Burro Territory can be obtained by the Forest Service office or, for BLM land, by the BLM local office or the Wild Horse and Burro web site https://www.blm.gov/whb .

d. Pastures or combination of pastures shall be of sufficient size to allow animals 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 statement of work, 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 proposed animals applied for. 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 score 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.

4. The stocking rate for the site may be adjusted as necessary to assure animals and pastures are maintained in good condition, as described above.

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.

https://www.blm.gov/whb

6. Vegetation monitoring will be done by qualified BLM personnel to assure animals are maintained in a good body condition.

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 and burros in acceptable body condition (BC) at all times (Henneke BC>4). When hay is used, animals shall be fed long stemmed alfalfa, grass, grass-alfalfa mix or other supplements appropriate for horses and burros, 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. Supplemental 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 forage available and other supplemental feeds used as needed to maintain the animals in a good Henneke BC score 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 twice 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.

4. Funding for additional supplemental feed beyond 120-day period, will only be provided to the contractor after consultation (i.e., site visit) with the COR and approval of the CO, and it is deemed necessary due to a “declared state and/or county designated disaster or emergency” (i.e., Flood, fire, blizzard, or drought), contractor will be required to provide documentation.

5. The recipient will ensure that adequate forage and water for the animals received will be available year-round or that supplemental feed will be of such quality and fed in sufficient quantity to sustain animals in good condition. A Henneke Body Condition score of four or better should be maintained for a minimum of 95% of the animals present at all times. This means that no greater than 5% of the herd should have a BC score of three at any time, and no animals should be maintained at a BC score of two or less. The COR may require that thinner animals be sorted away from the main herd and supplemented as necessary to improve or maintain body condition. Testing of pasture and feed nutritional content may be required at any time at the discretion of the COR. Supplemental feeds other than alfalfa or grass-alfalfa mixed hay must be tested for nutritional content and pre-approved by the

COR.

F. Water, Minerals, and Salt

1. Each pasture shall have reliable water sources capable of supplying a continuous supply of clean water to animals daily. The maximum distance to water in any pasture shall be two miles.

2. Granulated, rock, or block salt shall be accessible to all animals in each pasture.

3. Minerals necessary to maintain the animals in good condition and that are deficient in the available forage in the pasture shall be provided to all animals in each pasture, either as a supplement or added to the salt.

G. Deaths and Disposal of Remains

Dead animals shall be identified by freeze mark number and physical description to the extent possible and disposed of in accordance with State and/or local sanitation laws. Rendering plants may be used for carcass disposal provided no compensation is received by any agency or individual disposing of the remains. The contractor shall notify the COR and/or PI, or designated representative immediately if the death of an animal is suspicious and it appears that a postmortem examination should be performed by a veterinarian. The COR and/or PI shall hire a veterinarian and make the arrangements for this procedure.

Deceased animals shall be submitted monthly with invoice, all animals will have their id number, date and cause of death recorded.

H. Observation of Horses

Animals shall be observed by the contractor at a minimum of one (1) time per week, to determine the overall condition of the animals, and any deaths. Observation will be conducted more frequently when conditions warrant; such as extreme weather (i.e., flooding, tornados, following blizzards); during fire season or if animals escape, to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Except in emergency situations, observations shall be carried out on foot, from a vehicle, or horseback. In unusual situations, such as deep snow, etc., which make ground transportation impractical, aircraft may be used, with the prior approval of the COR. Prior to submission of the monthly invoice the contractor will conduct a complete inventory of all animals. Records that document, as a minimum, the date of the observation, number and condition of the animals, problems and concerns of the observer, and the name(s) of individual(s) making the observation shall be maintained and sent to the COR every month along with the monthly invoice and death record. Any problems or concerns shall be reported to the COR within 24 hours of discovery.

I. Access to the Facility

Access to the unloading and loading chute shall accommodate both trucks with stock trailers and semi-trucks. Access shall be available year-round, and during periods of inclement weather.

J. Observation for the Public

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.

1. The contractor shall notify the COR within 24 hours of any request from humane, general public, media, or wild horse interest groups, to observe the animals.

2. All request from organizations and groups may be allowed to tour the site only under the approval and guidance of the COR.

3. All requests to view the animals shall be directed to the COR.

4. Contractor will contact the BLM COR if harassment activities are occurring within the pasture.

K. Records

An inventory that identifies all animals delivered to the site shall be kept at the pasture. The contractor will organize health cards in numerical order according to the last four digits of the horse id number. Each animal will be identified with a four-digit freeze mark number on the hip, along with an angle freeze mark on the left side of the neck. Animals that die shall be identified as soon as possible and noted on the monthly inventory. Probable cause of death shall also be noted. All records will be e-mailed to the COR the first week of every month, detailing the previous months information.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF BLM

1. Veterinary Care - The BLM will provide and pay for a veterinarian to treat sick or injured animals, as deemed necessary by the COR. The veterinarian may be used to perform euthanasia on animals and conduct postmortem examinations as requested by the COR and/or PI consistent with BLM policy for reasons related to acts of mercy, health, and safety. The contractor shall gather and hold such animals and assist the veterinarian if necessary.

2. BLM will conduct all pre-conditioning (vaccinations, de-worming, blood testing) and preparation for shipment (brand inspection and health certificates) of horses with assistance from the contractor.

3. BLM will conduct periodic inspections (at least three times per year) throughout the year. At least one or more visits will include a USDA APHIS Veterinarian who will also assess body condition and look for medical problems. An annual count will be conducted to determine current inventory and assess overall animal health. Adjustments to the inventory will be made based on this annual count.

4. In the event that a declared natural disaster such as prolonged drought, or in the event that resource and/or animal condition declines, BLM will have the authority to reduce the number of animals at the pasture in order to maintain the remaining animals in a healthy body condition (Henneke four or better). The contractor may incur costs associated with relocating the animals. After conditions improve, BLM may (at their discretion) deliver animals back to the pasture and to the identified capacity of the contract.

5. BLM will provide the hydraulic chute, to work animals to be shipped from the facility. This may also be used to work animals in case of an outbreak of disease. The panels and chute will be in the working corral area of the pasture and be able to tie into the loading chute area.