Inyo National Forest (INF) Capture and Removal of 450 Wild Horses.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (Request for Quotation - RFQ) for commercial services to conduct a wild horse drive-trap gather on the Inyo National Forest (INF). The objective is to capture and remove approximately 450 wild horses from the INF and surrounding areas of the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory (WHT).

• Capture and removal of 450 wild horses.

• The work will take place on the Inyo National Forest.

• Specific details regarding the gather methodology, trap design, animal handling, and transportation are required in the technical approach.

• Anticipated Award Type: Firm-Fixed-Price contract.

• Period of Performance: 07/08/2026 to 07/31/2026.

• Offer Due Date: May 28, 2026, 15:00 PT.

• Questions Due Date: May 20, 2026, 15:00 PT (email to christopher.kane2@usda.gov).

• Submission Format: Offers must include completed Schedule of Items, Technical Approach (2 pages), Project Schedule (1 page), Key Personnel (1 page), and Past Performance (3 pages). Offers shall be emailed to christopher.kane2@usda.gov.

• Evaluation Factors (in order of importance):

  1. Relevant Past Performance
  2. Price
  3. Technical Approach
  4. Relevant Experience

• Award will be made to the responsible vendor whose quote is most advantageous to the Government, considering all factors.

• The Government intends to award without discussions; submit best terms in initial quotation.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the due date.

• This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 115210 (Small Business Size Standard: $11 million).

• A Pre-Award Conference call will be held on May 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. PT. Contractors are encouraged to visit the area prior to this call.

• The solicitation includes several attachments: Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, Census Map, and Gather Map.

• Payment will be made via the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix I - Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program Standards for Devil's Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory Gathers and Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals," is a detailed set of standards and procedures related to the management and care of wild horses and burros. It serves as a critical attachment to the "Final Environmental Assessment for Devil's Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory Plan, 2024."

This appendix is divided into two main parts:

• Part One: On-Range Standards for Gathers

  • Facility Design Standards (trap sites, temporary holding facilities, loading/unloading areas)
  • Capture Methods (helicopter drive trapping, bait trapping, roping)
  • Animal Care (veterinary, feeding, watering, dust abatement, handling)
  • Transportation Standards (general, vehicles, care during transport)
  • Euthanasia or Death protocols (humane killing, documentation, carcass disposal)

• Part Two: Off-Range Standards for Double Devil Corrals

  • Off-Range Corral Facility Standards (personnel, design, receiving procedures, care of animals)
  • Transportation Standards (loading/unloading, care during transport, vehicles, transport procedures)
  • Adoption Event Standards
  • Satellite Pickup Location Standards
  • Euthanasia Procedures and Carcass Disposal
  • Handling Wild Horses and Burros

This document outlines the stringent requirements and protocols that must be followed for the humane handling, care, transport, and management of wild horses and burros. Bidders involved in any aspect of wild horse and burro management, gathering, or care will need to adhere to these comprehensive standards. It details specific procedures, facility requirements, and animal welfare considerations that will likely be incorporated into any resulting contract or agreement.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map displaying "Gather Areas," "Gather Sites," "Bait Traps," and "Holding" locations within the "WHT Boundary." It also delineates various land management areas, including Mono Lake, Mono County, and the Granite Mountain Wilderness.

• Legend: Defines symbols for Bait Trap, Gather Site, Holding, Gather Area, and WHT Boundary.
• Geographic Features: Shows Mono Lake, surrounding roads (e.g., US 395, CA 120), and geographical names.
• Land Boundaries: Delineates WHT Boundary, Mono County, and wilderness areas.
• Points of Interest: Marked locations for potential data collection or operational activities.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the geographical scope and specific locations relevant to the opportunity. It visually represents the areas where "Gather Sites," "Bait Traps," or "Holding" activities may occur, providing essential context for any proposed work related to these areas.

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

This SOW outlines the requirements for capturing, handling, caring for, feeding, and transporting wild horses from outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory (WHT) on the Inyo National Forest (INF). The primary goal is to capture and remove 450 wild horses.

• Capture and Handling: Utilize approved methods such as helicopter drive trapping and/or roping via horseback, adhering to the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Inyo National Forest Wild Horse Gathers. The contractor must provide all labor, supplies, transportation, and equipment, except for a government-provided restraint chute.

• Care and Feeding: Provide humane care and treatment, including feeding and watering, in accordance with CAWP standards. Specific feeding and watering rates are detailed.

• Transportation: Transport captured animals to the Double Devil WHB Corrals in Alturas, CA (approx. 309 miles). Transportation methods include semi-trucks and stock trailers, with specific pricing per loaded mile for each.

• Facility Requirements: Construct and maintain trap and holding facilities that are safe and humane, with specific design standards for pens, alleys, and loading chutes.

• Work must be accomplished in a safe and humane manner, adhering to CAWP standards.

• Minimize fear, pain, distress, suffering, risk of injury, and death.

• Specific requirements for animal care, handling, and transportation are detailed, including limitations on temperature, handling aids, and transport duration.

• Gather Operations: July 8, 2026, through July 16, 2026 (extendable operations possible).

• Project Area: Outside the Montgomery Pass WHT, Inyo National Forest, encompassing approximately 835,000 acres east of Lee Vining, CA.

• Bidder Qualifications: Bidders must provide at least three relevant past performances, a technical approach, and relevant experience.

• Personnel: Key personnel include a Contractor Lead Foreman and Back-up Contractor Lead Foreman. Foremen must be fluent in English.

• Equipment: Contractor must provide all necessary capture equipment, vehicles, feed, water, and communication equipment (VHF/FM Transceiver).

• Euthanasia: Contractor must have a firearm adequate for euthanizing animals in accordance with CAWP or current USFS policy.

• Public and Media: All requests for viewing operations must be forwarded to the USFS. Strict protocols are in place for public and media access to ensure safety and prevent interference.

• Environmental Concerns: Adherence to landscape preservation, protection of natural resources, and reporting of historical/archeological discoveries is required.

Quotes will be evaluated based on Relevant Past Performance, Price, Technical Approach, and Relevant Experience. Past performance and experience are critical factors.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "2024 Montgomery Pass Census" area. It delineates "Gather Areas," "WHT Boundaries," and "2024 Census Points."

• Geographic boundaries for data collection (Gather Areas).
• Specific administrative or project boundaries (WHT Boundary).
• Marked locations for census data points.
• Includes geographical features such as lakes, rivers, and national forest boundaries.

This map is crucial for understanding the geographic scope and specific locations relevant to the 2024 Montgomery Pass Census. Bidders involved in this opportunity should use this map to visualize the operational area, identify key census points, and understand the spatial context of any related tasks or requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Schedule of Items" for the opportunity "(INF) Capture and Removal of 450 Wild Horses" located in Inyo National Forest (INF) - Mono County, CA. It outlines the specific tasks and estimated quantities for the services required.

• Item 001: Capture, age, feed, transport, to and from temporary holding. Estimated Quantity: 450 Head.
• Item 002: Transportation to Holding Facility using Semi-Trucks, priced per loaded mile. Estimated Quantity: 3708 Miles.
• Item 003: Transportation to Holding Facility using Stock-Trailers, priced per loaded mile. Estimated Quantity: 309 Miles.
• The "Cost" and "Total" columns are currently listed as 0.0, indicating these are likely to be filled in by bidders or determined later.

This schedule provides potential bidders with a clear breakdown of the services required for the wild horse capture and removal project. Bidders should use this information to understand the scope of work, estimate their costs, and prepare their pricing proposals. The estimated quantities for each item are crucial for accurate bidding.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination (WD) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in a specific geographic area (California counties of Mono).

This document is crucial for any bidder on a federal contract in the specified geographic area that is subject to the Service Contract Act. It provides the legally mandated minimum wage rates and associated benefits that must be paid to employees performing work under such a contract. Bidders must use this information to accurately calculate labor costs in their proposals to ensure compliance and competitiveness. The document lists numerous occupations with their corresponding hourly rates and notes that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. It also includes important notes regarding Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (minimum wage rate), as well as details on vacation and holiday entitlements. Furthermore, it outlines the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates if a specific occupation is not listed.