USBP Sumas Horse Boarding Services

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the USBP Sumas Horse Boarding Services solicitation.

• Hay Costs: Contractors must include all hay costs in their quote, as per SOW section 5.1.1. The government will provide supplements, grains, minerals, veterinary supplies, and medication (SOW section 7.1).

• Veterinary Care: On-site veterinary care, including deworming, fecal counts, and vaccinations, is not a requirement of the SOW and should not be included in quotes.

• Stall Awning: The 12ft x 12ft awning is in addition to the stall itself. The outside run does not need to be covered, but stalls must have a minimum of a 12ft x 12ft covered awning area (SOW section 4.1.e).

• New Requirement: The solicitation includes a new requirement.

• Paddock Shelters: Run-in shelters within paddocks are acceptable if they meet the minimum size of 12'x12', have three sides enclosed, a roof, and a gate. Paddocks must be separate and cannot share fences with non-government animals.

• The document clarifies that the contract type is firm-fixed-price, meaning there will be no adjustment for changes in operating costs, such as hay prices. Vendors should ensure their quotes reflect all costs, including hay, and exclude veterinary services not explicitly required by the SOW.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions submitted by potential bidders regarding Solicitation ID 20155873 for USBP Sumas Horse Boarding Services.

• Hay and Grain Costs: Bidders must include the cost of hay in their quotation, as per SOW section 5.1.1. The Government will provide supplements, grains, minerals, and veterinary supplies.
• Veterinary Services: Routine veterinary services such as deworming, fecal counts, and vaccinations are not a requirement of the SOW and should not be included in the quote.
• Stall Awning Coverage: The requirement for a twelve feet (12) by twelve feet (12) covered awning area applies to the stalls themselves, not the outside runs.
• Project Type: This is a new requirement, not an incumbent or recompete.

These clarifications do not appear to alter any submission deadlines or overall requirements, but provide specific details on what costs to include and what is covered by the Government.

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

To provide comprehensive boarding and caretaking services for four (4) horses utilized by the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Blaine Horse Patrol Unit. The number of horses may fluctuate.

• Provide all labor, supervision, and necessary equipment for horse care.

• Offer services at a contractor facility located within the Blaine Sector.

• Stalls:

  • Size: 12'x16' minimum, 12'x12' acceptable.
  • Construction: Pipe (2-inch diameter or larger), safe, humane, and secure.
  • Covered awning area: Minimum 12'x12'.
  • Gate: Minimum 4' wide.
  • Indoor stalls require adjoining outdoor pens.
  • Shed row or mare motel barns are acceptable.
  • Stalls must be separate from other animals; one sick/quarantine pen required.
  • Ground must be free of debris and hazards; artificial surfaces require adequate shavings.
  • Fixtures: Freshwater source and feed bin required in each stall.
  • Artificial lighting for stall areas.

• Facility:

  • Secure, insured facility with restricted access.
  • Round pen (pipe or horse-safe material).
  • Arena or similar enclosed area for training (minimum 5 times/year).
  • Area for cleaning horses with hitching post and water source.
  • Secured tack area (or space for USBP secure building).
  • Adequate space for parking 2 trucks and 2 horse trailers.
  • Clean, covered feed storage area.
  • Turn-out area (pipe or horse-safe material), free of hazards.
  • Level ground with adequate footing in stalls, round pen, and turn-out areas.
  • Adequate water runoff mitigation.
  • Barbed wire fencing is prohibited.

• Access and Availability:

  • 24-hour access for Border Patrol via gate code, fob, or key.
  • Emergency contact phone number required.

• Care of Horses:

  • Provide/store feed (premium quality, suitable for horses, meeting specific nutritional and appearance standards). Feed twice daily (10-14 hours apart).
  • Administer supplements/minerals provided by USBP as directed.
  • Acknowledge feeding times/amounts may change based on individual needs.
  • Treat/clean minor abrasions and injuries per guidelines.
  • Administer minor and maintenance medications (e.g., fly spray) as directed; medications purchased by USBP.
  • Move horses daily between stalls and exercise areas.
  • Report any health or behavioral issues to SBPA or Horse Patrol Instructor.

• Maintenance:

  • Daily cleaning of corral area, stalls, feed bins; removal of manure and trash.
  • Filling of holes in corral/stall areas; potential requirement for sand.
  • Provide area for agents to clean horse trailers.
  • Responsible for manure disposal.
  • Maintain general common areas, alleyways, hay barn, and feed storage areas.

• Feedings no less than 10 and no more than 14 hours apart.

• Maintain a log for each horse (medications, behavioral problems, prescribed services/activities).

• Immediately report abnormalities to SBPA, Horse Patrol Instructor, or Horse Patrol Agent.

• Period of Performance: 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's facility within 20 miles driving distance of 9648 Garrison Road, Sumas, Washington 98295.

• Access to USBP horses restricted to authorized personnel.

• Contractor responsible for their personnel's travel to/from the facility.

• No specific security classification requirements.

• USBP will provide supplements, grains, minerals, veterinary supplies, and medication. Contractor provides feed storage and acceptance of deliveries.

• Program POC: To Be Provided at Award.

• Contracting Officer: Benjamin Dorgan, (520) 407-2808, benjamin.j.dorgan@cbp.dhs.gov.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, "Solicitation Attachment 3: Applicable Provisions & Clauses," outlines the contractual terms, conditions, provisions, and clauses that will govern the resulting contract for RFQ 20155873. It is essential for bidders to review this document to understand their rights and obligations.

This attachment primarily focuses on legal and contractual requirements rather than specific technical deliverables. It incorporates numerous FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and HSAR (Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation) clauses by reference, which bidders must adhere to. Key areas covered include:

• System for Award Management (SAM): Requirements for maintenance and registration.

• Contract Terms and Conditions: Standard clauses for commercial products and services.

• Small Business Requirements: Clauses related to small business set-asides and post-award representations.

• Payment Terms: Details on accelerated payments to subcontractors and electronic invoicing via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• Government Consent: Restrictions on contractor publication or endorsement.

• Disclosure of Information: Rules regarding the use and disclosure of government-provided information and technical data.

• Non-Personal Service: Clarification that services are non-personal and do not create an employer-employee relationship.

• Personnel Requirements: Rules for contractor personnel identification and conduct on government sites.

• Holidays and Administrative Leave: Guidelines on observed holidays and their impact on contractor personnel.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order.

• Period of Performance: June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027.

• Submission: Bidders must submit relevant non-pricing responses and documentation by the solicitation's closing date and time. Technical evaluation will be based on the provided information.

• Evaluation Factors: The award will be made to the responsible quoter whose quote is the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Evaluation factors are:

  1. Technical and Management Approach: Demonstrating the ability to meet SOW requirements.
  2. Past Performance: Evaluation of recent (within 3 years) relevant performance, with up to three references required.
  3. Price: Evaluation for fairness and reasonableness.

• Includes clauses related to Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (52.219-6) and Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation (52.219-28), indicating potential small business considerations.

• Bidders are cautioned that many provisions are incorporated by reference and may require completion. Full text can be accessed electronically via provided links.

• The document specifies that the Statement of Work (SOW) or equivalent document is attached separately and incorporated by reference.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, outlining minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations under the Service Contract Act. It serves as an attachment to a government contract or solicitation, ensuring fair labor standards for service employees.

• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles, their corresponding Occupational Codes, and the minimum hourly wage rate.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits like Health & Welfare and Paid Sick Leave (EO 13706) are detailed.
• Footnotes: Includes important notes and clarifications, such as exemptions for computer employees (Footnote 1) and specific conditions for air traffic controllers and weather observers (Footnote 2).
• Executive Orders: References Executive Orders related to paid sick leave and minimum wage for federal contractors.

Bidders must use this document to understand the minimum labor costs associated with the opportunity. It is crucial for accurately calculating labor costs in their proposals to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Failure to adhere to these wage and fringe benefit requirements can lead to bid disqualification or contract non-compliance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 2 to Solicitation RFQ 20155873, serving as a Quotation Pricing Sheet for USBP Sumas Horse Boarding Services. Bidders are instructed to fill in the blue cells, and the form will auto-calculate totals.

• Description: Horse Boarding Services in accordance with the Statement of Work.
• Period of Performance: 06/01/2026 - 05/31/2027.
• Quantity: 12 Months.
• Unit: Month.
• Unit Price: To be filled in by the Quoter.
• Total Annual Price: Auto-calculated.
• Quoter's Company Name: To be filled in by the Quoter.
• Quoter's SAM UEI: To be filled in by the Quoter.

This sheet is critical for bidders to provide their pricing for the horse boarding services. It outlines the structure for submitting cost proposals and includes fields for essential company identification (Company Name and UEI). Bidders must accurately complete the Unit Price and ensure their company information is correctly entered for the form to function as intended and for their quotation to be considered.