Packing Services

The solicitation for animal packing services, identified as 127EAY26Q0077, is a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5, specifically targeting service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and is administered by the Klamath National Forest under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contract aims to secure one year of pack animal services from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to support post-fire trail recovery efforts in the Trinity Alps, Russian, and Marble Mountain Wilderness Areas of Northern California. The contractor must provide up to 20 pack mules or horses, four riding animals, and sufficient trucks and trailers capable of supporting packing operations across two trailheads in a single day, with the ability to handle unusual loads such as wooden posts, propane bottles, and rock bars over steep, rocky terrain and remote Forest Service roads. All work will be performed under the supervision of experienced animal packers located within 100 miles of Fort Jones, California, who must comply with strict safety and environmental standards, including adherence to Leave No Trace principles and the USDA Forest Service Health and Safety Code Handbook. The procurement follows a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) award process, where technical acceptability and past performance serve as pass/fail gates; only the lowest-priced offer that meets all mandatory requirements will be selected for award, with pricing submitted via a detailed schedule of items and held firm for 90 days after submission. The government will furnish food, supplies, coolers, and bear boxes, while the contractor is fully responsible for the safe transport, proper storage, and timely delivery of all materials, including replacing any government property damaged beyond $200 within 48 hours. Operations are subject to weekly food storage inspections and strict drug and alcohol prohibitions in all campsites, with non-compliance constituting grounds for contract default. Quotes must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM PDT on June 6, 2026, to Kari Hughes at Kari.Hughes@usda.gov, with offerors required to complete designated blocks on the solicitation form and affirm compliance with a range of federal regulations, including whistleblower protections, anti-discrimination laws, Buy American requirements, and disclosures regarding tax and foreign procurement matters. Contract administration will be handled by the Scott River Ranger Station in Fort Jones, California, with invoices to be submitted to the address listed in Block 1