88--FY26 OLYM MULE PURCHASE

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 0001 to Solicitation 140P8326Q0015, effective March 5, 2026. It serves as a notice of intent to award a sole source contract.

• The primary purpose is to provide notice of intent to award a sole source contract, as detailed in the continuation sheet.

• This notice is NOT a request for quotations, and no solicitation will be issued.

• The National Park Service (NPS) intends to award a sole source contract to Fred Snook for the management of an annual mule and horse sale event in Salmon, ID.

• The NPS trail crew will attend this event from April 10-11, 2026, to inspect and evaluate mules and horses.

• The anticipated award price is less than $50,000.00, dependent on selected purchases.

• The NAICS code is 112920 (Horse and Other Equine Production) with a small business size standard of $2.75 million.

• Bidders are instructed to send all responses to two specific email addresses for Contracting Officer Michael Abner due to an ongoing email address migration: michael_abner@nps.gov and michael.abner@ios.doi.gov. Failure to send to both may result in non-receipt of the response.

Notice of Intent to Issue a Sole Source Contract

This notice indicates the National Park Service (NPS), Olympic National Park (OLYM), intends to award a sole source contract to Fred Snook, who manages the "Salmon Select Sale" in Salmon, ID. The NPS trail crew plans to attend this event from April 10-11, 2026, to select and purchase mules and horses.

• The anticipated award price will be less than $50,000.00.

• The contract will be a firm-fixed priced contract for the purchase and delivery of 4-6 mules.

• The NAICS code is 112920, Horse and Other Equine Production, with a small business size standard of $2.75 million.

• This is NOT a request for quotations or a solicitation. No contract will be awarded from this notice.

• The NPS trail crew staff will inspect and evaluate mules and horses based on criteria listed in the Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (attached to the original notice).

• Sales will be processed through Fred Snook, Salmon Select Sale, LLC.

• This notice is a Sources Sought to gather market research. It is intended to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various small business categories (Section 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB, WOSB, SDB, SDVOSB).

• Large Businesses for NAICS 112920 are also encouraged to submit a Capability Statement.

Interested parties should submit a written Statement of Capability (limited to 2 pages) by March 2, 2026, 9:00 am PST to michael_abner@nps.gov and michael_abner@ios.doi.gov. The statement must include:

• Contractor's name, address, point of contact, phone number, and email address.

• Interest in providing a quote if a solicitation is issued.

• Contractor's capability to meet the requirements.

• Contractor's Unique Entity ID.

• Contractor's business size and socio-economic category (if applicable).

• Acceptable Coggins Certificate and Vaccination Record

• Minimum height: 14/2 hands

• Max Age: 12

• Previous pack and saddle training

• Positive response to human interaction

• Mild temperament

• Minimum weight 1000 lbs.

• Hoof structure and sound anatomy

• Fluid gait and pace

• NPS Contracting Staff are undergoing an email address migration; responses must be sent to both listed email addresses.

• Businesses registered in SAM.gov must update their SAM registration to reflect new size standards effective March 17, 2023.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Justification & Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition for simplified acquisitions. It details the procurement of mules and/or horses for Olympic National Park's (OLYM) trail maintenance operations. The government is seeking to award a non-competitive contract to Fred Snook, who manages the "Salmon Select Horse & Mule Sale" in Salmon, ID, for an indefinite quantity of animals, not to exceed $44,500.

The procurement is for mules and/or horses to be used for packing food, tents, and supplies for trail crews working in remote locations. Key evaluation factors for the animals include:

• Response: Initial response to human interaction and handling (alertness, demeanor, calmness).

• Age: Maximum acceptable age is 12 years old.

• Height: Minimal acceptable height is 14/2 hands; optimal size is between 14/3 and 16/2 hands.

• Temperament/Attitude: Critical for safety; good temperament and attitude are valued.

• Weight: Minimum acceptable weight is 1,000 pounds.

• Pack/Saddle Experience: Previous training in rugged mountainous terrain is desirable.

• Coggins/Vaccination Record: Mandatory annual wormer, three-way shots, and Coggins testing.

• Hoof/Gait: Good hoof shape, size, symmetry, balance, and a fluid, steady gait indicating athleticism and endurance.

• Contract Type: Non-competitive award.

• Estimated Value: Not to exceed $44,500.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but linked to the Salmon Select Sale auction on April 10-11, 2026.

• Submission: The government representatives will evaluate mule/horses offered for sale at the Salmon Select Sale auction.

• Evaluation: Award will be made by the Contracting Officer based on recommended best value selections made during the sale auction, considering price and the evaluation factors listed above.

• This is a sole source justification, indicating no set-aside is planned.

• The document details extensive market research conducted since prior to 2016, including multiple sources sought notices, which yielded no responsive or responsible small businesses capable of meeting the park's requirements.

• The government intends to purchase approximately five (5) mules total from individual sellers attending the auction.

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is for market research to inform acquisition planning for the purchase and delivery of 4-6 mules for Olympic National Park. It is not a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded from this notice. The government is seeking to understand the capabilities and qualifications of small businesses, including those in categories such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, and EDWOSB.

The government is looking for mules that can support trail maintenance, backcountry structure maintenance, ranger and crew operations, and resource management research. Mules are expected to travel over 30 miles daily with loads exceeding 140 pounds. Critical factors for selection include load capacity, reliability, health, temperament, and life expectancy.

Minimum requirements for the mules include:

• Acceptable Coggins Certificate and Vaccination Record
• Minimum height: 14.5 hands
• Maximum age: 12 years
• Previous pack and saddle training
• Positive response to human interaction
• Mild temperament
• Minimum weight: 1000 lbs
• Sound hoof structure and anatomy
• Fluid gait and pace

If a solicitation is issued, it is anticipated to be a firm-fixed-priced contract.

Interested parties must submit a written Statement of Capability (limited to 2 pages) demonstrating their ability to meet the requirements. The statement should include:

• Contractor's name, address, point of contact, phone number, and email address.
• Contractor's interest in providing a quote.
• Contractor's capability to meet the requirements.
• Contractor's Unique Entity ID.
• Contractor's business size and small business type (if applicable).

Submissions are due by March 2, 2026, 9:00 am Pacific Standard Time, via email to michael_abner@nps.gov. Note the Sources Sought Notice #140P8326Q0015 in the subject line.

This notice specifically seeks information from small businesses and their socio-economic categories (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, EDWOSB). Large businesses are also encouraged to submit capability statements.

• The North American Classification System (NAICS) code is 112920, Horse and Other Equine Production, with a Small Business Size Standard of $2.75M.
• Businesses must be registered in SAM.gov and ensure their small business status is updated based on new size standards effective March 17, 2023.
• Reimbursement for costs associated with providing information is not authorized.
• This notice does not commit the government to issuing a solicitation or awarding a contract.