USDA Forest Service Flathead National Forest Equine Winter Boarding

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for winter pasture/boarding services for 30 to 50 government-owned horses and mules for the Flathead National Forest, Kalispell MT. The current pack consists of 42 head.

• CLIN 0001/1001/2001/3001/4001: Government Pack and Riding Stock Boarding for an estimated quantity of 42 livestock for 186 days per year (Base Year and four Option Years). The quantity of livestock and/or days may vary.

• CLIN 0002/1002/2002/3002/4002: Supplemental Feeding for up to five (5) additional head per year (Base Year and four Option Years).

• Quoted unit cost for boarding should be price per head/per day.

• Quoted unit cost for supplemental feeding should be cost per head for the entire base or option year period.

• The Statement of Work (Attachment 1), Wage Determination (Attachment 2), and Experience Questionnaire (Attachment 3) provide further details.

• The anticipated award is for one contract with one (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, for a total duration not exceeding five (5) years and six (6) months.

• The Government intends to make one award.

• Submission: Quotes must be submitted via email to joanne.meiers@usda.gov by the due date. Emails should contain two separate attachments: the completed Experience Questionnaire and the Price Proposal (completed Schedule of Items).

• Evaluation: Award will be made to the quoter representing the best value to the Government. Evaluation factors include:

  • Price: Must be fair and reasonable.
  • Technical Acceptability: Quoter's ability to provide a sound and compliant approach meeting all requirements.
  • Past Performance: Assessed based on prior contracts and available data.

• Evaluation Method: Only the lowest priced quote will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability. If not acceptable, the process continues with the next lowest priced quote until a technically acceptable quote with acceptable or neutral past performance is identified.

• Questions Deadline: May 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Mountain Time.

• Contractors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Contractors must have demonstrable successful experience completing projects of similar size and scope.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions by reference. Full text is available upon request or online.

• Specific AGAR clauses (452.203-71 and 452.203-72) address Anti-Discrimination/DEI Compliance and Unenforceable Supplier Terms, respectively.

• Agency protest procedures are outlined, encouraging resolution through the USDA Ombudsman Program.

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

The USDA Forest Service requires winter pasture and boarding services for 40-50 government-owned horses and mules for the Flathead National Forest, Kalispell, MT.

• Pasture Requirements: Provide a safe environment free of hazards. The Forest Service will inspect the pasture prior to award. The area must accommodate 40-50 head, potentially split into smaller herds.

• Fencing: Must be 3-strand or better, smooth or barbed wire, or as approved by the Forest Service. Open range will be evaluated.

• Location: Pasture must be within 200 road miles of the Flathead National Forest office in Kalispell, MT.

• Other Stock: Government stock may only be pastured with other stock if approved in advance by the Forest Service, considering herd size, stock type, health, and vaccinations.

• Feeding: Contractor must provide:

  • Continuous open water source or mechanical watering sites.
  • Daily grazing or hay feeding for 40-50 head.
  • Daily salt availability.
  • Daily supplemental feeding of oats, barley, or a dry 3-way mix for 1-5 head as determined by the Forest Service.

• Access: Forest Service personnel require access to stock at any time with at least one day's advance notice.

• Loading/Unloading: Facilities must accommodate a 24-foot stock trailer and standard bed stock trucks, requiring a 3-foot-high loading dock/ramp and a catch pen/corral.

• Base Year: November 1, 2026 – October 31, 2027

• Option Years: Four additional one-year options through October 31, 2031.

• Mandatory Boarding: Animals will be boarded a minimum of December through April annually. Pasturing may be required in November and May due to weather and feed availability.

• Delivery: Anytime in November to approximately December 1st each year.

• Pickup: Between April 25th and May 31st each year.

• Billing: Full months (December-April) are billed for any portion of the month. November and May charges are prorated based on actual time on pasture.

• Notification: Contractor must immediately notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of any sick/injured animals, animals unable to maintain weight, or animal deaths. The government is responsible for carcass disposal.

• Stock Issues: Immediate notification to the COR is required for any stock problems (sick, missing animals) via phone and/or written notice.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 2015-5401, Revision No. 28) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing work under the Service Contract Act in the specified geographic area.

• Geographic Area: Montana Counties of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Ravalli, and Sanders.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a detailed list of occupations with corresponding wage rates and footnote indicators.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing.
• Executive Orders: Includes notes regarding Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage), outlining their applicability and requirements for federal contractors.
• Benefits: Details Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55 per hour or $222.00 per week), Vacation (based on years of service), and Holidays (eleven paid holidays per year).
• Hazardous Pay: Specifies an 8% differential for high-hazard work and a 4% differential for low-hazard work involving ordnance and explosives.
• Uniform Allowance: Outlines requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms.
• Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations: References the standard directory for job duties.
• Conformance Process: Explains the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under the Service Contract Act in the specified region. It directly impacts proposal pricing by establishing mandatory wage rates and fringe benefits for covered employees. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages meet or exceed these requirements to be compliant.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire designed to gather information from potential bidders regarding their qualifications and past performance. It is intended to help the government evaluate a bidder's capability to successfully complete the project.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number, and business type.
• Experience: Years of experience in the line of work and as a prime/sub-contractor.
• Past Projects: Details of projects completed within the last three years, including contract amount, type, completion date, and owner contact information.
• Current Commitments: Information on ongoing contractual commitments.
• Performance History: Questions regarding past failures to complete work or work completed by performance bond.
• Resources: Available employees (minimum/maximum) and equipment.
• Key Personnel: Experience of individuals who will be directly involved in the contract.
• Certification: A statement certifying the accuracy of the provided information.

Bidders must complete this questionnaire thoroughly and accurately. The information provided will be used to assess their experience, capacity, and reliability. Failure to provide complete and correct information may impact the evaluation of their proposal. Bidders are encouraged to provide any additional information that demonstrates their capability to successfully complete the project.