Horse Gathering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The primary objective of this contract is to capture and remove approximately 2,000 horses from national forest system lands on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, specifically the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts, as funding allows. The goal is to address issues caused by the horse population on these lands.

• Gathering and Removal: Capture horses using primarily passive trapping methods. Other methods like herding, roping, or leading may be used, but helicopter gathers are prohibited (helicopters may be used for scouting only).

• Handling and Care: Provide feed, water, boarding, and basic care for captured animals from capture until transfer of ownership. This includes holding animals for a minimum of 5 days for claiming purposes.

• Transportation: Transport horses from capture sites to designated holding facilities within 24 hours of capture. Coordinate final destination shipments with the COR, avoiding Sundays and Federal holidays.

• Sales Facilitation: Facilitate public sales of impounded livestock, including delivery to livestock sale barns within 900 miles of Overgaard, Arizona. Collect proceeds on behalf of the Forest Service, returning funds minus incurred fees.

• Impounding Strays: Impound and care for branded or stray animals, providing public notice and facilitating transfer if claimed.

• Animal Welfare: Ensure all activities are conducted in a safe and humane manner, adhering to Arizona State laws and specific animal handling and welfare guidelines provided.

• Euthanasia: Humanely euthanize sick or injured livestock as directed by the COR, following specific guidelines for preapproved situations (non-ambulatory, broken limbs, mortal injuries) and reporting requirements.

• Gather efforts must start within 60 days of contract award.

• Animals must be held for a minimum of 5 days for claiming.

• Holding facilities must be approved by the COR, located within Arizona, and no more than a 3-hour travel distance from Overgaard. Capacity to hold a minimum of 100 horses is required.

• Transport trailers must be fully enclosed, in sound mechanical condition, and provide adequate space to prevent overcrowding.

• Reporting requirements include capture dates, locations, animal descriptions, sale records, and documentation for euthanized or deceased animals.

• Gather efforts will occur on National Forest lands within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts).

• Gathering must start within 60 days of contract award.

• All trigger and/or trip gate devices must be approved by the COR prior to use and designed not to injure livestock.

• Contractor must provide permanent corrals and holding facilities off Forest, approved by the COR.

• Facilities must meet specific design standards for safety and animal welfare, including fence height, visual barriers, and water/feed provisions.

• Transportation must use fully enclosed stock trailers with appropriate flooring and space.

• Contractor must coordinate with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for all gather activities, approvals, and directions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Request for Information (RFI) Form for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Horse Gathering project. It is designed to gather information from interested firms regarding their capabilities and socio-economic status.

• Project Title: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Horse Gathering (1171908)
• NAICS Code: 114210-Hunting and Trapping ($8.5M)
• Company Information: Requires Company Name, Company Address (as registered in SAM), and UEI#.
• Socio-economic Status: Bidders must select applicable categories (Large business, Small business, Small disadvantaged business, 8(a) program participant, HUB Zone business, Woman-Owned business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)).
• SAM Registration Confirmation: Confirmation of registration in SAM.gov or that registration is in process.
• Certification: Acknowledgment that incomplete answers or failure to provide documentation may affect the government's determination for set-aside solicitations.
• Estimated Range of Effort or Cost: Bidders are asked to provide a non-binding, high-level estimate of effort or cost, with options for $100K-200K, $200K-300K, or $100K-500K.
• Contact Information: Requires Name/Title, Date, and Signature.

This RFI form is crucial for potential bidders to express their interest and provide essential business and capability information. Completing this form accurately helps the government assess market capabilities and determine potential set-aside strategies for the future solicitation. It also provides an opportunity for bidders to indicate their understanding of the potential project scope and budget implications.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest for market research purposes. The Forest is seeking information on qualified contractors capable of providing technical advice, planning support, and operational expertise for the humane gathering of approximately 2,000 free-ranging horses from national forest system lands. The goal is to identify cost-efficient, low-stress capture methods.

This RFI is for information and planning only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Forest is exploring non-helicopter, low-impact methods, including but not limited to:

• Bait trapping
• Water trapping
• Remote monitoring or other low-stress capture systems
• Behavioral-based methods for voluntary entry
• Cost-efficient operational designs

This RFI does not commit the Government to any contract. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov.

Interested contractors are invited to submit information addressing:

• Company Information (including business size)
• Relevant Experience (bait trapping, water trapping, wildlife gathering, past performance with land-management agencies, animal-welfare certifications)
• Technical Input (trap designs, materials, deployment, timelines, resource needs, remote monitoring, safety, cost reduction, risks, operational challenges)
• Additional Recommendations (innovative techniques, safety/efficiency improvements, lessons learned)

Responses should not exceed 10 pages and must be submitted electronically in PDF or Word format.

Interested Contractors shall be registered as small business according to NAICS: 114210-Hunting and Trapping with a small business size standard of $8.5M. A responsible potential source shall have registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Responses are due via email to Shavera Leveille at shavera.leveille@usda.gov no later than 1700 MST on July 1, 2026.
• No confidential, proprietary, or classified information should be submitted.
• Responding to this RFI is not a request for contract award. All interested parties will be required to respond to a resultant solicitation separately.