EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/93
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed. / 6410
Page 7 of 7
FSM – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Chapter 10 – pERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
/ Forest Service Manual
tonto national forest
phoenix, az
fsM 6400
chapteR 10 – property management
Supplement No.: 43
Effective Date: March 1993
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: Judith a. millerForest Supervisor / Date Approved:
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document.
New Document / 6411.34 / 7 PagesSuperseded Document(s) (Supplement Number and Effective Date) / 0 Pages
Digest:
New Direction: This Supplement is the Stock Management Plan to be used on the Tonto National Forest.
This plan establishes management guidelines, policies and procedures for the purchase, rental, and disposal of the Forest's livestock. It establishes sources of animals, herd size, and describes the traits of animals to be kept. The contents of this document are presented using Interim Directive 6410-92-1 for guidence.
I. HERD OWNERSHIP
Forest policy is to maintain a herd necessary to accommodate the average annual program of work in government ownership, in order to maintian a reliable herd and one that is accessible to employees needing pack or saddle stock to perform their duties. Rentals from commercial sources may be used in situations when the demand cannot be met by stock on the Forest. If commercial sources are not available, costs for employee-owned stock must be comparable to commercial sources. Rented stock and employee-owned stock to be placed under agreement with the Forest Service must be examined and approved by the designated District Range Staff Officer or person designated by the District Range Staff Officer.
II. OPTIONS OF SUPPLEMENTS STOCK
Government-owned, commercial suppliers and employee-owned stock will be available as sources to accomplish the Forest's program of work. When a need arises on Districts for stock beyond their current herd, the District shall first request stock from other Districts on the Forest or from other Forest's herds. If the desired stock cannot be obtained from Government-owned stock, the District then may consider commercial rentals, employee-owned stock, and purchase of new animals. Cost of each of these options will be analyzed by the District's Range Staff Officer, and the most efficient sources shall be used, considering all costs, project demands, timing, and employee needs.
III. DISIRED STOCK TRAITS
Horses and mules, whether government-owned or under agreement from commercial or employee suppliers, should have the following traits:
1) Gentle in temperment, not skittish, easy to bridle and saddle, and trained to load in trailers;
2) Age - Between 4-20 years of age for horses and 4-25 years of age for mules;
3) Size - at least 14 hands high; between 950 and 1400 lbs in weight;
4) Stamina - Capable of being ridden 3 days continuously in 90-degree temperatures;
5) Animals must be adapted to steep and rocky country so they will not panic in tight situations;
6) Gelding horses, not be proud cut, either sex for mules;
7) All Government-owned livestock will be branded on the left hip or freeze-branded on the left jaw with the US brand. Note: In Arizona, the brand US is not registered to the Government, but has been verbally accepted as the brand for Government livestock.
Horses and mules to be purchased, used under employee agreement, or rented from a commercial vendor must be examined and determined to meet the above traits by the District Ranger Staff Officer. Use of the above traits is intended as a guideline and the District Ranger Staff Officer can accept minor deviations to the size and age criteria, as long as in his/her judgment the animal is safe for employee use and the animal is able to perform the expected job. The District Ranger Staff Officer is encouraged to use a reputable veterinarian to assist in determining the suitability and soundness of animals being considered for Forest use.
IV. HERD SIZE
The following table displays the size of herd, by District, approved to accomplish the Forest's program of work:
Cave Creek Ranger District 3 Horses (Govt Owned)
2 Mules (Govt Owned)
2 Horses (6-Month Winter Contract)
Globe Ranger District 1 Horses (Govt Owned)
2 Mules (Govt Owned)
2 Horses (12-Month Contract)
Mesa Ranger District 2 Horses (Govt Owned)
4 Mules (Govt Owned)
Payson Ranger District 4 Horses (Govt Owned)
2 Mules (Govt Owned)
1 Mule (2-Month Summer Contract
Pleasant Valley Ranger District 2 Horses (Govt Owned)
1 Horse (Govt Owned/12-Month Contract)
1 Horse (12-Month/Contract)
Tonto Basin Ranger District 3 Horses (Govt Owned)
2 Mule (Govt Owned)
FOREST HERD TOTAL: 34 Animals
To meet unforeseen needs and during peak use periods, utilization of rental livestock or personal use of employee's horses in excess of those mentioned herein, will be considered. Proposed procurement of stock from former employees must be scrutinized for possible conflicts of interest and must be reviewed and approved in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations. Any rental agreements with vendors must be approved by the Forest Contracting Officer. Changes in the District herd size will require a written request with complete justification from the District Ranger to the Forest Range Program Manager.
V. LIVESTOCK RENTAL AND USE AGREEMENT WITH EMPLOYEES
Under the authority in 16 U.S.C. 502 (FSM 6411.01), the Forest Service units may rent horses, mules, and other livestock from employees for project use at isolated geographical locations when such livestock is not available from either Government or commercial sources and when there is only occasional need for the livestock. All requisitions for rental agreements with commercial vendors or employee agreements must show the clearly documented cost of these actions versus cost and availability of government-owned animals. The rentals must adhere to the following requirements:
1) Request for Rental Agreements or Employee Use Agreements for livestock and personal equipment will be submitted on AD Form 700 Procurement Request, by the District Ranger to the Forest Purchasing Agent.
a) The requesting unit will provide written justification for both personal preference and continuous use agreements. Included will be a discussion of why the use of Government stock will not satisfy the need for the additional animal(s).
b) The requesting unit will provide a photograph of the animal(s) for the Supervisor's Office record.
c) The requesting unit will conduct pre-agreement and post-agreement inspections and submit these inspections to the Forest Purchasing Agent for approval and action.
2) Payment for use of employees' livestock under agreement will be limited to the costs for feed, farrier, and necessary veterinary services. Maximum payment for vet services by the Forest for an on-the-job injury shall not exceed $1000 regardless of the market value of the animal under agreement. The market value of the animal will be established and agreed to by the employee and the Purchasing Agent on the AD 700. The District Range Staff Officer will work with the Purchasing Agent to manage the vet expenses for animals under agreement.
3) Pasture and care for the animals under agreement will be provided at district expense. Forest Service forage, care, and stabling shall be limited to the period of actual use.
4) Animals under agreement will be available for use by all qualified employees on official government business. If an employee wants to restrict the use of an animal under agreement for his/her use only, the agreement will be so stated on the AD 700 and the pasture and care will be limited to only the days the employee is actually using the animal on official business. In this case, stabling the night before and the night after official use should be the normal allowance for government provided feed and stabling.
5) Commercial rental agreements will be requested by the District Range Staff Officer and approved by the appropriate Purchasing Agent.
6) Under all situations where non-Government-owned horses and/or equipment are used, including use of employee animals for personal preference without compensation, a rental agreement shall first be competed and fully executed.
VI. STOCK UTILIZATION
Stock utilization logs for recording stock use for individual animals will be used Forest-wide and will include Forest/employee/commercial rental stock. This information will be used in analyzing and planning herd size and adjustments needed in the District's herd.
Generally, stock used for less than 30 days in a year should be declared excess to the District unless the District Ranger anticipates an increased use of the animal in the coming year. However, after less than 30 days' use of an animal in two consecutive years, the animal should be excessed. These animals should first be made available to other Districts, then other Forest before processing for sale.
The designated District Range Staff Officer will be responsible for maintaining the utilization log. Each District shall submit a copy of its utilization log to the Forest Range Program Manager in the Supervisor's Office by October 15 each year along with justification for adjustments needed in the District's herd.
VII. DESIGNATED STOCK MANAGERS
Cave Creek Ranger District District Range Staff Officer
Globe Ranger District District Range Staff Officer
Mesa Ranger District District Range Staff Officer
Payson Ranger District District Range Staff Officer
Pleasant Valley Ranger District District Range Staff Officer
Tonto Basin Ranger District District Range Staff Officer
These assignments may be changed based on recommendations made by the District Ranger to the Forest Range Program Manager.
VIII. REPLACEMENT OF STOCK
Stock will be sold when, in the judgment of the District Range Staff Officer, the animal no longer meets the desired traits set forth in this plan. The
District will prepare an AD Form 112 and process it through the Property Management Officer prior to any disposition of the stock.
District Range Staff Officers may requisition to purchase replacement stock within 300 miles of the Forest boundary. Purchases beyond this limit need to be coordinated with the Forest Range Program Manager.
The Districts will be responsible for procuring new saddle and pack stock. Procurements under $2500 may be made directly by the horse experts, provided they have procurement authority or are accompanied by a purchasing agent with the proper procurement authority. Procurements for more than $2500 require competition. Value of stock purchased must not exceed the value of stock adequate for the need.
Stock shall not be purchased from employees or their immediate families under any circumstances.
IX. LIVESTOCK AND TACK ACCOUNTABILITY
Property records will be kept on all livestock and saddles. All animals will be tracked through the Property Management Information System (PMIS) regardless of value.
Saddles and tack are not personal equipment. This equipment will not be tailor made for the user. If documented circumstances warrant the need for a special saddle for safety reasons, the request shall be approved by the Forest Ranger Staff Officer
This equipment will remain on the unit where purchased and will not be transferred. Inter-district transfers may be considered if the losing and receiving units agree and the necessary property transfer documents are properly processed by the Property Management Officer. The receiving unit must certify that the equipment will be used for official use only.
X. COST ANALYSIS
A cost analysis showing the cost per year for Government animals indicates that it takes approximately $950 to maintain one animal per year, based on:
$475/year/animal for feed,
250/year/animal for farrier,
125/year/animal for routine veterinarian services, and
100/year/animal for miscellaneous.
A rental survey must be completed in the general market area of the unit where the use of the stock is required, prior to rental of any stock. A comparison of Government cost of ownership versus rental agreements or employee use agreements must be performed prior to acquisition of livestock. Although it is felt that use of employee-owned stock is the least expensive source, due to the sensitive nature of doing business with Government employees, it will remain our last choice for stock availability. It is determined that Forest Service-owned stock is the most practical for the Tonto National Forest since our stock demand is consistent and the availability of Government-owned stock is most advantageous to our needs.
XI. EMPLOYEE AND SAFETY TRAINING
A yearly employee and safety training meeting will be conducted by the Ranger District to train and inform employees of proper use and maintenance of the stock and to practice safe horsemanship.
XII. USE OF FOREST STOCK FOR OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
The Forest may occasionally be requested to provide livestock for outside Forest Service activities, i.e., parades, etc. These requests will be analyzed for compliance with existing laws and regulations. The Forest Supervisor will authorize these activities on a case-by-case basis.