The Old Guard Basic Horsemanship Course IDIQ

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, W91QV126RA006, is for a "Basic Horsemanship Course." The government is procuring services related to horsemanship training.

• The solicitation outlines specific "Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs" for various ordering periods, indicating a need for horsemanship instruction.

• Specific items include "Class Start with 6 students" and "3 additional students" for multiple ordering periods.

• Pricing arrangement is "Firm Fixed Price" for all listed items.

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 611620, with a size standard of $9,000,000.00.

• The solicitation issue date is January 14, 2026.

• The offer due date is January 15, 2026, at 09:00 AM local time.

• The contract is set aside for Small Business.

• The contract type is not explicitly stated but implied to be an indefinite quantity contract based on the "Ordering" and "Indefinite Quantity" clauses.

• Proposals are due by 09:00 AM eastern time on February 17, 2026.

• Questions are due by 09:00 AM eastern time on February 02, 2026.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically in three volumes: Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price.

• Evaluation factors include Technical Capability (most important), Past Performance, and Price.

• Technical Capability has two sub-factors: Technical Approach and Personnel, which are of equal importance.

• A rating of "Acceptable" is required for Technical Capability.

• Trade-offs between price and non-price factors are permitted.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• The document includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses covering various aspects of contracting, including limitations on subcontracting, payment instructions, representations and certifications, and evaluation criteria.

• The period of performance for orders is from March 01, 2026, through February 28, 2030.

• There are order limitations: minimum order of less than 6 students, maximum order of 15 students for a single item or 30 students for a combination of items.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for providing basic riding instruction for the Caisson Detachment. The goal is to ensure Soldiers are prepared to ride horses for ceremonies and work in Arlington National Cemetery.

• Provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, and supervision necessary for basic riding instruction.

• Deliver a weekly training report and a daily sign-in roster.

• Provide feedback to the Caisson Liaison on tasks trained and a refined timeline.

• Maintain a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio, with at least one head instructor.

• Transport horses and necessary equipment to training sites.

• Conduct instruction in accordance with the provided curriculum (BHC Program of Instruction).

• Offer instruction over a 12-week period.

• Conduct bi-weekly student evaluations using provided grade sheets.

• Provide instruction Monday-Friday, 0930-1530, with a 30-minute lunch break.

• Minimum of six (6) students and a maximum of fifteen (15) students per course.

• Quality Control (QC) program to ensure services meet contract requirements.

• Quality Assurance (QA) by the government to evaluate performance.

• Maintain professional standards of conduct and attire.

• Ensure horses are safe, healthy, and suitable for training beginner riders.

• Facility must be located within 60 miles of JBM-HH, be at least 14 acres, include specific arena sizes, and provide adequate space for equine welfare.

• Period of Performance: Four ordering periods, each one year in length.

• Place of Performance: Vendor stables or an alternate site mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COR and Contracting Officer.

• Head Instructor is considered Key Personnel.

• All instructors must have specific certifications (USEA, USHJA, USDF, or US Pony Club) and experience.

• Instructors must have the physical ability to teach from the saddle and communicate clearly.

• Contractor employees must comply with all installation rules, regulations, and policies.

• Operation Security (OPSEC) training is required for all contractor employees.

• Contractor employees shall maintain proper standards of courtesy and professionalism.

• Contracted employees shall wear tasteful, appropriate attire and ASTM/SEI certified riding helmets.

• Contractor is responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information, and property.

• Contractor shall attend post-award conferences and periodic progress meetings.

• Contractor shall ensure all staff sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

• Contractor is encouraged to report unsafe Soldier actions.

• Appropriate and professional relationships must be maintained between contractor employees and students.

• Contractor shall have daily syncs with the Caisson Liaison.

• Contractor will reference provided Caisson SOPs for instruction.

• In case of communicable disease, training will be suspended until determined safe to resume.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 1 Performance Requirements Summary," outlines the performance objectives, standards, and thresholds for contractor services related to mission-essential items. It serves as a summary of contractor service requirements as detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Performance Objective: Describes the required service, often as a "shall" statement.
• Standard: Details the specific requirements for timeliness, quality, or quantity of the service.
• Performance Threshold: Defines the maximum acceptable error rate for each requirement, critical for mission success.
• Incentive (Positive and/or Negative): Outlines how contractor compliance rates will be used as objective evidence of contract compliance, documented in the CPAR system, and potential actions for non-compliance, including re-performance of services.

This attachment provides critical details on how contractor performance will be measured and evaluated. Bidders should pay close attention to the specific standards and thresholds to understand the expected level of service and the consequences of non-compliance. Key requirements include:

• Combating Trafficking in Persons: Adherence to FAR 52.222-50(c) regarding the government's zero-tolerance policy.
• Basic Riding Refresher Instruction: Providing instruction per the Caisson Detachment curriculum, furnishing all necessary equipment (horses, transportation, feed, supplies), and identifying alternate sites if vendor stables are unavailable. The instructor must communicate with the Caisson Liaison and COR. Instruction is for a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 15 Soldiers per course over 12 weeks, Monday-Friday, 0930-1530. Weekly horse evaluations and training summaries are required. Employees must execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). A total of 13 written and 5 practical examinations will be administered over the 12-week period.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Battle Drill Book" for the U.S. Army Caisson Detachment, 3D U.S. Infantry, The Old Guard. It outlines various "Battle Drills" related to groundwork, individual riding, collective riding, postillion riding, and memorial affairs.

• Battle Drill 1: Conduct Groundwork: Covers moving the shoulder, disengaging hindquarters, seeking the shoulder, and rating.
• Battle Drill 2: Conduct Individual Riding: Includes drills like 4-Corners, Trot Spring, Walk/Stop/Back, 4 Square, Keyhole, Long Serpentine, Two-Track (Leg Yield), and Sitting Trot/Walk.
• Battle Drill 3: Conduct Collective Riding: Focuses on paired riding exercises such as Centerline Pair, Circle Pair, and Interlocking Fingers.
• Battle Drill 4: Conduct Postillion Riding: Details exercises for wagon operations including Circles, Figure 8, Muscle Building Terrain, Accuracy, and Start/Stop/Stand.
• Battle Drill 5: Conduct Memorial Affairs: Outlines procedures for Military Funeral Honors with Escort and State Funerals.

This document serves as a training manual detailing specific drills and procedures for soldiers in the Caisson Detachment. It outlines the expected skills and execution standards for various horsemanship and ceremonial tasks. Bidders involved in providing training or related services would need to understand these detailed requirements to align their offerings with the established protocols.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 2 - Deliverables Schedule," outlines the specific deliverables required under the contract, their submission frequency, format, and to whom they should be submitted.

• Stable Rules: Due 10 days after award, submitted as Word or PDF to COR.
• Stable Emergency Protocol: Due 10 days after award, submitted as Word or PDF to COR.
• Daily Sign In Roster: Daily during the Period of Performance (PoP), submitted as Word or Excel (with student signature) to COR.
• Weekly Training Summary and BHC grade sheets: Every Friday during PoP, submitted as Word or PDF to COR.
• Quality Control Plan: Bi-weekly during PoP, submitted as Word or PDF to COR.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the post-award reporting and documentation requirements. It specifies what needs to be delivered, how often, in what format, and to which point of contact (COR), directly impacting proposal planning and contract execution.