WH&Bs Transport to Tennessee

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for commercial services to safely and humanely transport up to 83 wild horses and burros from the Modoc National Forest in Alturas, CA, to Fall Creek Falls Equestrian in Pikeville, TN. The contractor must provide all labor and equipment.

• Transportation: Safely and humanely transport approximately 83 Wild Horses & Burros (36 Adults, 36 Weanlings/Yearlings, 11 Burros).

• Pickup Location: Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals, Alturas, CA.

• Delivery Location: Fall Creek Falls Equestrian, Pikeville, TN.

• Timeline: Pickup and delivery between February 15th-21st, 2026.

• Animal Handling: Strict guidelines for handling, loading, unloading, and transport to minimize stress and injury. Prohibitions on abusive actions and specific requirements for using handling aids like electric prods.

• Documentation: Negative Equine Anemia Testing (Coggins) and Health Certificates are required.

• Vehicle Requirements: Straight deck or stock trailers only (no double-deckers), covered roof, adequate headroom, non-slip surfaces, and specific partition requirements based on trailer length.

• Animal Welfare: Requirements for animal fitness for travel, sorting for compatibility, and specific loading densities per animal type.

• Award Type: One award is anticipated.

• Set-Aside: This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• NAICS Code: 484230 – Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long Distance.

• Submission: Quotes are due by February 12, 2026, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, via email to Margaret Forrest (Margaret.Forrest@usda.gov). The subject line must include "Solicitation No. and Margaret Forrest". Submit as three separate attachments: Technical Proposal, Price Proposal, and Representations and Certifications.

• Evaluation: Award will be made to the responsible quoter representing the best value to the Government, considering Price, Technical Capability, and Past Performance. Quotes will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis for adherence to terms, SAM registration, small business status, and completeness. Only the lowest priced offer will be evaluated for Technical Capability first.

• Questions: Due by February 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, via email to Margaret Forrest.

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• This solicitation incorporates FAR and AGAR clauses by reference. Full text is available electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

• Attachment 1: Solicitation Terms and Conditions

• Attachment 2: Statement of Work

• Attachment 3: Schedule of Items

• Attachment 4: Past Performance Questionnaire

• Attachment 5: Wage Determination

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

To safely and humanely transport Wild Horses & Burros (WH&B’s) from Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals in Alturas, CA, to Fall Creek Falls Equestrian in Pikeville, TN.

• Transport up to 83 WH&B’s, including 36 Adults, 36 Weanlings & Yearlings, and 11 Burros.

• Pickup Location: Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals, Alturas, CA (Monday-Friday, 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM).

• Delivery Location: Fall Creek Falls Equestrian, Pikeville, TN.

• Timeline: Pickup and delivery must occur between February 15th - 21st, 2026.

• Vehicles: Semi-truck(s) and trailer(s) are acceptable; the receiving facility has an off-loading chute.

• Notification: Delivery location must be notified of any delays departing Alturas, CA.

• Animal Welfare: Strict guidelines on handling to prevent abuse and minimize stress/injury. This includes prohibitions on hitting, kicking, dragging, deliberate driving into obstacles, slamming gates, excessive noise, and improper use of handling aids (flags, shaker paddles, electric prods). Electric prods have specific usage restrictions.

• Loading/Unloading: Facilities must be safe, with properly maintained gates, chutes, and ramps. Trailer alignment with chutes is critical to prevent injury. Specific clearance heights are noted for burros and horses.

• Health & Fitness: Animals must have a negative Equine Anemia Test (Coggins), a Health Certificate, and be fit for travel. Non-ambulatory, blind, or severely injured animals must not be shipped unless for immediate veterinary care. Weak or debilitated animals require Authorized Officer approval.

• Vehicle Requirements: Straight deck or stock trailers are required; double-deck trailers are prohibited. Vehicles must have covered roofs, adequate headroom, easily operable and securable gates/doors, and non-slip surfaces on ramps and floors. Partition gates are required for longer vehicles.

• Transportation Procedures: Specific loading rates per animal type are provided. Planned drive time should not exceed 24 hours without access to hay and water. Rest locations must be clean and disease-free. Drivers must observe animals every 8 hours. Non-ambulatory animals require specific handling.

• Pickup: Alturas, CA

• Delivery: Pikeville, TN

• Transport Window: February 15th - 21st, 2026

• Documentation: Negative Equine Anemia Testing Form (Coggins) and Health Certificates are required.

• Vesicular Stomatitis: If importing from an affected state, a veterinary certificate issued within 72 hours is required, with a specific statement regarding quarantine and clinical signs.

• Handling Aids: Specific protocols for using flags, shaker paddles, and electric prods.

• Vehicle Partitions: Minimum number of partition gates based on trailer length.

• Cleaning: Trailer floors and surfaces must be cleaned and have non-skid materials prior to shipping.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Schedule of Items, serving as an attachment to a solicitation. It outlines the specific supplies or services required for the "Tennessee Wild Horse Transportation" project and provides a structure for vendors to enter their pricing.

• Project Description: Tennessee Wild Horse Transportation
• Vendor Information: Fields for Vendor Name and Vendor UEI.
• Item 0001: Details the core service required: "Transportation of 83 Wild Horses & Burros from Alturas, CA to Pikeville, Tennessee."
• Quantity: 1
• Unit of Issue: Lump Sum
• Total Price: Fields for vendors to input their total price.

This attachment is crucial for bidders as it defines the primary service being procured and provides the template for submitting their total price. Vendors must accurately complete the vendor information and provide their lump sum price for the transportation service as specified.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire from the USDA Forest Service, used to gather information about a contractor's past performance on previous projects. It is intended to help the government assess a bidder's capability to perform the work required for an opportunity.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, and telephone number.
• Business Type: Classification of the business (Company, Corporation, Co-partnership, Individual, Non-profit Organization).
• Experience: Years of experience as a prime or sub-contractor.
• Project History: Details of projects completed in the last three years, including contract amount, type of project, date completed, and contact information for the project owner/reference.
• Failure to Complete Work: Questions regarding any past instances of failing to complete awarded work and the reasons why.
• Remarks: A section for additional comments or clarifications.
• Certification: A statement by the certifying official confirming the accuracy of the information provided and authorizing references to release information.

Bidders will likely need to complete and submit this questionnaire as part of their proposal. The information provided will be used by the Forest Service to evaluate the bidder's past performance, which is often a significant factor in contract award decisions. Completing this form accurately and thoroughly is crucial for demonstrating capability and reliability.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5677, Revision 29) applicable to contracts covered by the Service Contract Act. It lists minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in California.

• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles, corresponding occupational codes, and their minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits like Health & Welfare and Vacation/Holiday policies are detailed in later sections.
• Executive Orders: Notes the applicability of Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Minimum Wage) for covered contracts.
• Hazardous Pay Differential: Outlines specific percentages for hazardous pay applicable to certain roles.
• Uniform Allowance: Details requirements for uniform provision and maintenance reimbursement.
• Conformance Process: Explains the process for establishing wage rates for service employee classifications not listed in the determination.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under a government contract. It directly impacts the pricing of proposals and ensures compliance with federal labor laws. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums for all covered employees.