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

Background
The USDA Forest Service (USFS) is issuing this solicitation for the capture and removal of 450 wild horses from the Inyo National Forest (INF).
The goal of this contract is to conduct a wild horse drive-trap gather, ensuring humane treatment and proper care of the animals during the process.
The project aims to address overpopulation and maintain ecological balance within the forest.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:
1. Capture, age, feed, and transport approximately 450 wild horses to Double Devil WHB Corrals in Alturas, CA, which is approximately 309 miles away.
2. Ensure that all captured horses are held overnight at a temporary holding facility before transportation unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
3. Provide feed and water at the temporary holding facility in compliance with CAWP standards.
4. Construct trap sites and holding facilities using stout materials, ensuring they are maintained in proper working condition.
5. Implement humane handling techniques during capture and transport, including maintaining appropriate stocking densities in pens and providing adequate water supply.
6. Track and log mileage for transportation, with logs submitted to the COR for verification.
7. Address unusual needs such as avoiding issues related to weak foals or heat stress during summer operations.
8. Follow all guidelines regarding trap design and animal care, including safety measures to prevent injury during handling.

Period of Performance
The period of performance may extend up to an additional 5 days if gather objectives are not met due to weather delays or unforeseen circumstances as assessed by the COR.

Place of Performance
Inyo National Forest (INF), California.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a closely related prior contract for wild horse capture and removal in the region, with C D Warner Livestock identified as the awardee under 127EAY22D0019-127EAY25F0016 (FY25 Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Gather) valued at $650,000. That prior effort involved removing approximately 375 wild horses using drive and bait trapping methods, which aligns with the current requirement to conduct a drive-trap gather to capture and remove 450 wild horses around Montgomery Pass WHT. The similar gather approach, animal handling/transport requirements, and geographic context suggest the work may be a continuation of the same type of management activity.