Farrier Services on the Helena National Forest

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service is seeking a contractor to provide farrier services—specifically horseshoeing and trimming—for horses and mules at the Rocky Mountain Ranger District on the Helena National Forest. The contract will be structured as a firm-fixed price requirements contract for one base year (award through March 1, 2027) plus four optional one-year extension periods, running from mid-April through October annually. Key qualifications for the farrier include a minimum of five years of full-time professional horseshoeing experience, demonstrated ability to shoe at least 10 head of horses and mules per day for six consecutive days within a ten-hour workday, experience shoeing both horses and mules, understanding of basic stockmanship principles, and working knowledge of equine biomechanics and conformation. The Government will evaluate quotations using a comparative best-value methodology based on three criteria: relevant experience, past performance (assessed for recency, relevancy, and quality within the last five years), and price. Critical deadlines include February 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time for submission of questions, and February 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM Mountain Time for submission of quotations via email to Andrea Haines at andrea.haines@usda.gov; offerors must also acknowledge receipt of Amendment No. 0001 by submitting a signed SF-30 form with their proposals.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a small business size standard of $11 million under NAICS code 115210 (Support Activities for Animal Production). The estimated quantity for all contract periods is 180 "Shoe and Trim" services per unit on an each basis, with the 2026 shoeing schedule consisting of four sessions: May 11-16, June 29-July 5, August 29-September 4, and October 19-22. The District maintains approximately 55 head of animals (60 percent mules and 40 percent horses) for the May and July sessions, approximately 45 head in late August, and 15-20 head in mid-October for winter preparation with snow pads and sharp shoes. Work will be performed outdoors in all weather conditions at multiple Forest Service stock facilities located 23 to 50 miles southwest of Choteau, Montana (zip code 59422), with work hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Service Contract Labor Standards provisions apply to this contract, with prevailing wage rates established for Montana counties including Chouteau County, and offerors must hold their pricing firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt date.