USDA Forest Service Flathead National Forest Equine Winter Boarding AMD 0001

Purpose: USDA Forest Service has a need for winter pasture/boarding for between 40 and 50 government owned horses and mules for the Flathead National Forest, Kalispell MT. Pasture: The pasture shall provide a safe environment for the stock and be free of hazards such as downed wire or equipment. Prior to award of contract, the Forest Service will inspect the pasture area. Size: Pasture area needs to accommodate approximately 40-50 head of stock. Stock may be broken into separate smaller herds. The Forest Service will negotiate herd size and/or split of animals. Fencing: pasture to be fenced with solid fencing of 3 strand or better, smooth or barbed wire, or as approved by the Forest Service. If open range, evaluation will be assessed by the Forest Service prior to award of contract. Location: the pasture is required to be within 200 road miles of The Flathead National Forest office at 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell MT 59901. Other Stock: The Forest Service would need to approve, in advance, placing government stock with other stock. Considerations include total number of animals being pastured together, type of stock (mares etc.), current health of other animals, and the vaccination of other stock. Feeding of stock: Contractor will provide the following - Open water source or mechanical watering sites shall be available at all times; Daily grazing or feeding of hay, or a combination of the two for approximately 40-50 head; Daily salt will be available to animals, and Daily supplemental feeding of oats or barley or a combination of dry 3way (oats barley corn) for 1-5 head of stock along with grazing and or hay feeding. The Forest Service will determine those animals that will need to be in this category due to age, weight, and ability to maintain weight. Access to stock: Forest Service personnel shall have access to stock at any time with advance notice of at least one day. Loading and unloading facilities: Loading and unloading facilities will be available for a 24-foot stock trailer and standard bed stock trucks requiring a 3-foot-high loading dock/ramp and access to a catch pen or corral. Period of Performance: Base year: November 1, 2026 – October 31, 2027Option year 1: November 1, 2027 – October 31, 2028Option year 2: November 1, 2028 – October 31, 2029Option year 3: November 1, 2029 – October 31, 2030Option year 4: November 1, 2030 – October 31, 2031 NOTE: All animals will be boarded at a minimum December through April of each year. There may be a portion, or all, that would need to be pastured during the months of November and May due to winter weather conditions and the availability of feed. Delivery and pick up of stock: Stock will be delivered anytime in November to approximately December 1, 2023, and picked up in the spring between April 25 and May 31st each year. * * Actual dates for delivery and pickup will be coordinated in advance with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COR’s contact information will be provided upon award. The months of December, January, February, March, and April will be billed for full months for any animal on pasture for any portion of the month. Charges for November and May will be calculated on a percentage of the actual time on pasture for the month. (Example: if delivered on the 15th of November then the government would be billed for 50% of the month. If the animal is delivered on Nov 20 (30 days in November) 30-20=10 days on pasture, thus the government will be billed the percent of 10days/30days = 33% monthly rate). This would apply to both items. Situations that Require Notification to the Forest Service: When a horse/mule is sick or injured; If an animal is unable to keep weight on and may require daily supplemental feeding; and If an animal dies. The government will be responsible for disposal of the carcass. Stock issues: The Contractor Shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative immediately of any stock problems such as sick or missing animals. Notification shall be by phone and/or by written notice depending on the urgency of the problem. COR’s contact number will be provided upon award.