BIG HORN NF - FARRIER SERVICES - 5-YEAR - AWARD NOTICE

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, constituting the only solicitation for Farrier Services for the Big Horn National Forest (BNF). The objective is to contract farrier work for the BNF horse herd, estimated at approximately 20 or more horses, potentially handling groups of 5-7 horses. Services are required at ranger stations during summer months and at the Sheridan Work Center during the rest of the year. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Provide year-round farrier services including trimming, shoeing, and general care of horse hooves.

• Services include trimming horse hooves (BNF and LE&I), shoeing horse hooves (BNF and LE&I), and service charges for travel to specific locations (Sheridan Work Center, Burgess Ranger Station, Hunter Ranger Station, Shell Ranger Station).

• Contractor must be experienced and knowledgeable in safe farrier services.

• Capability to service up to 8 head of stock per day.

• Guarantee replacement of loose or lost shoes at contractor's cost.

• Furnish all required tools, equipment, and shoeing materials (new, hot dropped forged steel shoes).

• Maintain shoeing records if COR is not present.

• Travel to all required locations is the contractor's responsibility.

• Contract Type: One Firm-Fixed Priced Award.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (04/20/2026 to 03/31/2027) with four Option Years extending through 03/31/2031.

• Estimated value: $11 Million (Small Business Size Standard).

• No Government Furnished Property (GFP) will be provided.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and provide their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

• Submit quotes via email to JANE.PEDROTTI@USDA.GOV.

• Offer Due Date: April 6, 2026, no later than 3:00 PM MDT.

• Incomplete or late quotes will not be acceptable.

• Questions due by March 27, 2026, 12:00 PM MDT.

• The vendor is responsible for including the Inflation Factor when pricing their quote.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 115210.

• Payments will be made electronically through the Government's payment system, IPP (Invoice Processing Platform).

• A pre-work conference will be scheduled with the Contracting Officer or Representative.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed information about the "Animal Caretakers" occupation (SOC Code 39-2021.00) from O*NET OnLine. It is intended to inform potential bidders about the nature of the work, required skills, knowledge, education, and experience for this occupation.

• Occupation Description: Details the tasks involved, such as feeding, watering, grooming, cleaning, and providing basic medical care for animals.
• Tasks: Lists specific duties including administering treatments, mixing food, cleaning facilities, exercising animals, record-keeping, and advising pet owners.
• Technology Skills: Outlines software and technology proficiency required, such as calendar/scheduling software, database interfaces, and office suites.
• Occupational Requirements: Includes skills (e.g., monitoring, active listening, coordination), knowledge areas (e.g., customer service, administrative procedures, English language), and education levels (typically high school diploma or equivalent).
• Work Styles & Characteristics: Describes work environment, physical demands, and worker characteristics like dependability and interpersonal skills.
• Wages & Employment Trends: Provides median wages, employment numbers, projected growth, and job openings for the occupation at national, state, and local levels.
• Related Occupations: Lists similar job titles for context.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the scope of work and the qualifications of personnel required for any opportunity involving animal caretakers. It helps in assessing the feasibility of meeting staffing requirements, understanding the operational environment, and estimating labor costs associated with the occupation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the terms and conditions applicable to orders awarded under solicitation 1240LP26Q0037 for Big Horn National Forest Farrier Services. It incorporates Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses and provisions.

• Incorporated Clauses: The solicitation includes numerous FAR clauses by reference, covering areas such as commercial products and services, whistleblower rights, combating trafficking in persons, contractor policies, unenforceability of unauthorized obligations, accelerated payments to small business subcontractors, protests after award, applicable law for breach of contract, security prohibitions, and subcontracts for commercial products and services.

• Applicable Clauses (Checked): Specific clauses are marked as applicable, including System for Award Management (SAM) maintenance, protection against debarred/suspended contractors, prohibition on contracting with inverted domestic corporations, notice of total small business aside, convict labor, equal opportunity for workers with disabilities, and notification of employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

• Service Contract Labor Standards: Information on Service Contract Labor Standards and Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires is provided, including wage and fringe benefit rates for specific employee classes (WG-6, Animal Caretakers, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians).

• Other Clauses: Includes clauses for Paid Sick Leave, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer, and Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation.

• AGAR Clauses: Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance is a key AGAR clause, requiring contractor certification of compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws and specific executive orders.

• Award Type: A firm-fixed-price contract is anticipated, consisting of a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, for a total potential duration of five years.

• Options: The contract includes FAR 52.217-8 (Option to Extend Services) and FAR 52.217-9 (Option to Extend the Term of the Contract).

• Evaluation Criteria: Quotes will be evaluated based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria. Price will be evaluated for the base period, all option periods, and potential extensions under FAR 52.217-8. Technical Acceptability will be rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable." Past Performance will also be evaluated.

• Technical Proposal Requirements: Must include proposed key personnel (names, experience, training, certifications) and a minimum technical proposal addressing past performance (list of similar projects, descriptions, dollar amounts, years completed, contact information).

• Price Proposal Requirements: Must include the completed Schedule of Items and acknowledgement of any amendments.

• Offer Acceptance: Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

• Small Business: Notice of Total Small Business Aside (FAR 52.219-6) is applicable.

• Registration: Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) to submit an offer.

• Questions Deadline: Questions are due by March 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM Mountain Time, via email to jane.pedrotti@usda.gov.

• Agency Protests: Information is provided regarding the USDA Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests, outlining informal and formal protest procedures.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Data Sheet designed to collect information about completed or ongoing projects. Bidders are instructed to complete one table for each project they wish to submit as part of their past performance.

• Name of Company that performed work (Prime or Subcontractor)
• Project Name
• Company/Agency for which work was done
• Contract Number
• Contract Type (e.g., fixed price)
• Total Contract Value
• Completion Date or Anticipated Completion Date
• Contracting Officer contact information (Name/phone number/email)
• Project Manager or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) contact information (Name/phone number/email)
• Project Description

This form is crucial for bidders to document their relevant experience and performance on previous contracts. The information provided will likely be used by the government to evaluate the bidder's capability to successfully perform the work required by the opportunity.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To contract farrier work for the Bighorn National Forest (BNF) horse herd, providing necessary hoof care to ensure the health and safety of the animals and riders.

• Provide year-round farrier services (shoeing and trimming) for the BNF horse herd, estimated at approximately 20 animals.

• Services include trimming hooves approximately every 8 weeks and shoeing approximately every 8 weeks, as needed.

• The contractor must provide all management, supervision, labor, transportation, materials, equipment, and supplies.

• Work is to be performed at ranger stations during summer months and the Sheridan Work Center during the rest of the year.

• Workmanship must be in line with commercial practices and guarantee replacement of lost shoes at the contractor's cost under normal use conditions.

• Quality of work will be monitored by FS staff.

• Hoof care must prevent lameness and ensure shoes remain attached for 6-8 weeks.

• Specific standards for sole and hoof preparation, shoe shaping, and nail usage are detailed.

• The contract is for a base year with 4 option years.

• Services are required year-round.

• Locations include Sheridan Work Center, Burgess Ranger Station, Hunter Ranger Station, and Shell Ranger Station.

• Contractor must be capable of handling "hard to handle" horses and mules.

• No table shoeing is permitted.

• Capability to service up to 8 head of stock per day.

• Contractor must maintain shoeing records if Forest Service Representative is not present.

• Shoes must be new, hot dropped forged steel, properly sized, and attached with at least 6 nails.

• Contractor is responsible for travel expenses to work locations.

• Invoicing and payments are processed through The Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• No Government Furnished Property (GFP) will be provided.