BLM seeks proposals for new wild horse and burro off-range corrals in eastern U.S.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Bureau of Land Management is expanding opportunities for wild horse and burro adoption in the eastern United States by establishing one or more new off-range corrals to provide safe, temporary care in the region. These facilities will improve public access and support placement of wild horses and burros gathered across the West into private care. The BLM operates a network of off-range corrals across the country, though there are currently no permanent facilities east of the Mississippi River. 

Off-range corrals play a vital role in the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. More than one-third of all adoptions nationwide take place in eastern states, making the region essential to the program’s success. Each animal placed into private care saves taxpayers more than $15,000 over its lifetime by avoiding the costs of long‑term care in BLM facilities, underscoring the importance of expanding adoption and sale opportunities. By adding facilities in the East, the BLM will make it easier for individuals and organizations to adopt or purchase animals while saving taxpayers the cost of life-time care for the animals. 

These corrals will serve as temporary holding and resting locations for animals traveling to adoption and sale events, provide a central location where potential adopters and purchasers can view and select animals, and serve as pick-up sites for participants in the Online Corral program and partners such as Forever Branded trainers who train and offer animals for adoption. 

The BLM plans to award at least one contract for a facility capable of housing up to 400 animals. These facilities are intended to be open to the public and support both adoptions and sales. Proposed facilities must be in a state east of or bordering the Mississippi River. 

Applicants interested in submitting proposals must first register for free through System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to obtain a unique identifier required to do business with the federal government. 

Instructions for accessing the full contract solicitation by region, including the statement of work and supporting documents, are available at: 

• Region 1: Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina 

• Region 2: Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio 

• Region 3: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi 

• Region 4: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan 

• Region 5: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland 

• Region 6: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina 

Additional information is available at the BLM Funding and Contracting Opportunities website. For general questions or assistance, please contact BLM Eastern States Wild Horse and Burro Program Lead Krystal Johnson at [email protected] or 202-329-4728. Applicants may also seek support in preparing proposals through their local APEX Accelerators center. 

— BLM —