Winter_Pasture_SOW_2025.docx

Statement of work – Grand Teton National Park Winter Pasture

OBJECTIVE

Grand Teton National Park is seeking winter pasture for 17 and up to 20 head of government-owned horses and mules. The pasture must be located no greater than 100 driven miles from Moose, WY during winter driving months. Animals shall be pastured in one group in a pasture (grassland) setting, separated from any other boarding stock.

SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Contractor shall provide land, forage, feed, water and fences necessary to properly care for and maintain up to 20 head of government-owned horses and mules.

Pasture shall be large enough to allow free-roaming behavior and a combination of pasture and feed shall provide the food and water necessary to sustain the animals in good condition.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONTRACTOR

01. Pasture:

Pastures shall be of sufficient size to allow animals’ freedom of movement and the exercise necessary for good health. The minimum pasture size available shall be 288 acres. Pastures shall provide a safe environment and shall be free of hazards such as poisonous plants, unfenced graveled or paved public highways, junk, old spools of wire or other stored fencing materials, old cars, etc. Shelter from the natural elements shall be available in each pasture by the topography (e.g., canyons, hills, etc.), other natural features such as trees, or manmade structures. The offered private lands must be either: (1) privately owned by the offeror; or (2) controlled by the offeror for a period of no less than 5 years.

02. Fencing:

Perimeter and division fences shall be a minimum of 42" in height and completely enclose the pasture lands. All the fences shall consist of four strands of wire or other acceptable fencing materials. Pasture must be fenced, and fences maintained to prevent stock from straying from the contractor's pasture.

03. Forage, vegetation, and water:

Pastures shall have sufficient forage to sustain a maximum of 20 head of stock from approximately Nov 1st to May 6th each year and/or the offeror shall be able to provide supplemental feed when necessary. Feed must be of high quality, weed free and approved by NPS staff. Feed should be supplied via loose hay (not in cubes) at the rate of no less than 25 pounds of feed per day (supplied every day) per animal. Hay is expected to be grass alfalfa mix, green in color, free of dust and mold. Supplemental feed must be provided when snow levels exceed 8” in depth, snow forms a hard crust, temperatures drop below 10 degrees F, and/or pasture forage is insufficient. Adequate mineral and salt blocks shall be provided for stock use at all times.

The available standing vegetation in pastures and/or supplemental feed must be of sufficient nutritive quality and quantity to maintain the animals in good condition seasonally. Good condition is described as follows: ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt; backbone is not visible; hip bones do not show; withers are distinguishable but do not protrude; shoulders and neck blend smoothly into the body.

Each pasture shall have reliable water sources capable of supplying adequate flowing water to the herd. Water must be available to the stock at all times and must be inspected by the Contractor to ensure it has not frozen over. The Contractor will immediately notify the NPS if useable pasture or water becomes unavailable.

04. Observation and management:

The animals shall be observed by the contractor, or a contractor’s designee, at a minimum of one (1) time per day, to inspect animals for injuries or illness and to determine the overall availability of pasture and water. Any problems or concerns shall be reported to the Trails Supervisor or Stock Manager within 24 hours of discovery. The contractor shall 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. The contractor will be liable for loss of stock due to contractor negligence. The contractor shall make restitution at their expense if found negligent or in breach of contract, and the government shall select replacement stock of comparable value.

RESPONSIBILITES OF THE GOVERNMENT:

01.Services and supplies:

The NPS is responsible for all farrier services. The NPS will determine if horses should have their feet trimmed. The NPS will take inventory of all horses delivered to the site.

02.Vet care:

The NPS will provide and pay for a veterinarian to treat sick or injured animals as deemed necessary by the Trails Foreman or Stock Manager. The NPS will provide monthly or more frequent, if necessary, monitoring of the animals to assess their health, determine death loss, and maintain a record keeping system that documents the frequency and results of these observations.

03.Disposal:

Should NPS animal expire on contractor property, it is the responsibility of the contractor to notify the NPS immediately and depending on the direction of the NPS to remove the animal in accordance with local procedures and will be reimbursed at a rate of $150 per animal. The contractor may be required to euthanize horses that are suffering or are in pain, as an act of mercy. Contractor shall contact the government as soon as possible if such an issue arises. Contractor may have to euthanize if the government cannot get there fast enough A veterinarian may be used to perform euthanasia on horses and conduct postmortem examinations as requested by the NPS.

04.Transportation:

All stock will be transported to and from the pasture by the NPS. The government reserves the right to deliver and/or remove some # of stock at any time during the winter pasture season due to the changing needs back at the park or due to vet/medical/nutritional needs of individual stock. All vaccinations and preparation for shipment of horses will be conducted by the NPS.

05.Moving:

Gathering or movement of horses from pastures shall be done by the NPS except in emergency conditions. If the contractor determines an immediate gather or movement is necessary for the safety and welfare of the horses, the contractor shall notify the Government within 24 hours after such movement. Handling of the animals will be kept to a minimum. However, it may be necessary to move stock from one pasture to another because of range management practices. If the contractor believes this will be necessary during the stay of the animals on winter pasture the contractor will advise the NPS of this before bidding on the contract. If the NPS approves of this movement of animals by the contractor, contractor will advise NPS one (1) day before undertaking this action during the season.

06.Inspections:

The government will inspect the pasture to determine the animals’ welfare on a monthly basis. The government reserves the right to inspect pasture associated with this contract as necessary and without notice.

07.Payments:

Payment will be made to contractor in one lump sum after the wintering has been completed and the animals returned to Grand Teton National Park, or in increments of one month or more by submitting an original itemized invoice to the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). The contractor will be reimbursed on a per animal feed day basis for the previous month of service. No advance payments are authorized.

08.Hay/Hay Payment:

NPS may pay contractor for hay to be feed to stock in the beginning of the season. Cost of hay must be included in the cost per feed day estimate above. Any unused hay that is paid for is the property of the government. Any remaining hay at the end of the season will be retrieved by the government or the cost of the remaining hay will be reimbursed to the government either in a cash payment or reduction in payment for the last month of service.

DELIVERY TIMEFRAME

The proposed dates for delivery to the selected pasture are:

17-20 head beginning on or around, November 1, 2025 The Government intends to pick up all head of stock on or around by May 1, 2026.