As part of its responsibility to manage and protect wild horses and burros, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is soliciting bids for new long-term pasture facilities–located in the continental United States west of the Mississippi River–that would provide a free-roaming environment for resident animals.

The solicitation is for one or more pasture facilities to accommodate 800 to 2,000 wild horses. Each pasture facility must be able to provide humane care for a one-year period, with a renewal option under BLM contract for a five- to 10-year period. The BLM could require having one or two public and/or media tours hosted by agency staff and the contractor during the life of the contract. The solicitation is open until August 1, 2012, and is 100% set aside for small businesses under the North American Industry Classification System.

The BLM’s bidding requirements are posted in solicitation L12PS00589, the details of which are available at www.fedconnect.net. To obtain the solicitation:

1. Click on "Search Public Opportunities";
2. Under search criteria, select "Reference Number";
3. Enter in the solicitation number (L12PS00589); and
4. Click "Search" and the solicitation information will appear.

The solicitation form describes what to submit and where to send it. Applicants must be registered at www.ccr.gov to be considered for a contract award