The Old Guard Basic Horsemanship Course IDIQ

The Department of the Army Materiel Command Mission and Installation Contracting Command Fort Sam Houston is seeking a contractor to provide instruction for a Basic Horsemanship Course (BHC) for the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The course must prepare soldiers to ride horses for ceremonies and work in Arlington National Cemetery through comprehensive basic riding instruction conducted over a 12-week period, Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Key requirements include maintaining a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio, providing professional equine coaching instruction according to an Army-provided curriculum, furnishing horses aged 5-28 years (average 8-12 years) and all necessary equipment and facilities, and administering 13 written and 5 practical examinations throughout the course. Evaluation will be based primarily on Technical Capability (including technical approach and personnel qualifications) and Past Performance, with Price as a significantly less important factor; proposals will be evaluated without discussions, and the government intends to award to the offeror providing the best value. Questions must be submitted by February 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time, and proposals are due by February 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.

This solicitation is set aside 100% for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) under NAICS code 611620 with an estimated total contract value of $9,000,000. The contract is structured as an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award with a minimum of one course and maximum of eight courses annually across four one-year ordering periods, with each course accommodating 6-15 students. The contractor's facility must be located within 60 miles of Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia, consist of at least 14 acres with access to open land for trail riding, and maintain professional upkeep standards. The head instructor must hold certification from organizations such as USEA, USHJA, USDF, or United States Pony Club, possess a minimum of five years operating a professional equine coaching program, and have at least three years of experience with beginner adult riders. The contractor must submit three separate proposal volumes: Technical Capability (maximum 25 pages), Past Performance (maximum 25 pages), and Price (maximum 5 pages), with the technical submission including a 3-5 minute head instructor demonstration lesson, facility walkthrough video, and facility photographs.