The Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management has awarded a contract modification to Kerry Despain extending contract 140L0125C0009 on a sole-source basis, with an estimated modification value of $2,848,750 and a new overall contract value of $6,881,087.50.

The justification cites FAR 6.302-1 (only one responsible source) and 41 U.S.C. 1901. BLM determined that Despain is the only responsible source capable of providing immediate, uninterrupted daily care, feeding, monitoring, sorting, receiving, unloading, loading, and preparation of wild horses at the Axtell, Utah Off-Range Corral, as well as maintaining facility infrastructure including pens, feed, water, salt, minerals, equipment, and working areas. No alternative Utah or regional facilities possess sufficient capacity; relocating the herd would incur significant transport costs, risk animal welfare, and stress the animals. The contracting officer determined pricing fair and reasonable based on documented cost increases in hay, fuel, equipment, labor, and fertilizer, supported by USDA AMS, EIA PADD 4 diesel trends, and BLS agricultural machinery indices.

The modification extends performance by 212 days beyond the current period ending July 31, 2026. This extension is temporary to allow completion of the Western States ORC multi-award competitive acquisition, with an estimated award date of Spring 2027, after which full and open competition will resume. Place of performance is Axtell, Utah.

Despain extension of modification

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