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THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. This is a Request for Information (RFI), this is not a Request for Quot... THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. This is a Request for Information (RFI), this is not a Request for Quotes (RFQ) or Request for Proposals (RFP). No formal solicitation document exists at this present time. This is not a solicitation announcement. The purpose of this Sources Sought notice is for market research to gain knowledge of potential vendors qualified under NAICS code search for 112990 or 812910 Canine Training, Handling, and Caging Products and Services surgical and medical instrument manufacturing includes PSC 8820 Live animal with a NAIC size standard of $1M the at the Washington DC VAMC. Responses to this Sources Sought notice will be utilized by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought notice, a solicitation announcement may or may not be published in FedBizOpps (FBO) or GSA ebuy. REQUESTED INFORMATION If you are interested and capable, and can provide the required supplies/services, please provide the requested information as indicated below: Responses to this Sources Sought notice shall include: 1. Provide company name, address, point of contact, Dun number, and cage code. 2. Is this item on contract with your GSA, SAC, NAC VA contractor other federal contract? 3. Provide the contract types if more than one, contract number, category(s), sin, and source code. 4. Please indicate which line items are on contract include what contract or indicate item is open market. 5. Provide business size status and representations for the above NAIC and PSC code. 6. Provide a copy authorized distributor letter if you are not the manufacturer. 7. Is vendor registered in SAM (https://www.sam.gov/SAM/)? 8. If applicable, is vendor registered in VIP (https://vip.vetbiz.va.gov/)? 9. Can vendor provide qualified drug detection dog instructor with 10 years experience with 2 year employed with current vendor. 10. Does vendor have 12-36 month positive trained Labrador canine? 11. Can vendor offer guaranteed positive trained canine certified healthy canine without genetic defects and no history of bite training? 12. Does vendor have canine that meets SOW behavior, medical, and technical requirements? 13. If there are any SOW questions, questions are due by Sources sought closing date. 14. Identify the accrediting agency for dog/handler training program. SOW A. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Title of Project: Canine Dog and Training 2. Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the deliverables described in this Statement Of Work (SOW), except as may otherwise be specified. Provide ONE (1) Labrador Retrievers between the ages of twelve (12) months and (36) months of age. Provide training to the canine and VA handler to include supplies. 3. Performance Period: The contractor shall complete the work required under this SOW in 365 calendar days or less from date of award, unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer (CO). If the contractor proposes an earlier completion date, and the Government accepts the contractor s proposal, the contractor s proposed completion date shall prevail. Work at the Government site shall not take place on Federal holidays or weekends unless directed by the CO. 4. Type of Contract: Firm-Fixed-Price. B. SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverables: The contractor shall provide the specific deliverables described below within the performance period stated in Section A.3 of this SOW. 1. The vendor must have been or employ someone who was/is recognized as an expert witness in Narcotic detection, tracking/trailing and Article Searches. Vendor must have handled or employ someone who has previously handled a Narcotics, tracking / trailing and article search dog in a real world environment such as Law Enforcement Search and Rescue with at least 10 years of experience. If the Vendor is qualifying this experience based on an employee, this employee must have been employed by this Vendor for a minimum of 2 full years prior to the award date of this contract. Vendor must provide 5 references for which they have provided Narcotics and Article Search dogs. 2. CANINE: Provide ONE Labrador Retriever between twelve (12) months & (36) months old.). The one canine will be trained in Narcotics Detection, Article Searches, Basic Obedience and potty trained / housebroken. Canines must be potty trained / house broken because of the sensitive environments they will be working i.e. medical facilities and their home accommodations with the handlers. The canines will be trained to provide a passive final response to the odor of narcotics. An aggressive final response (i.e. scratching, barking, biting) is not authorized. The canine must be able to work on/off leash. The company must guarantee in writing the canine has not had any type of aggression training (Bite Work) to include handler protection. If it is determined the canine has had any type of bite work training the contract will be voided. The canine will be certified free of hip dysplasia (by a qualified veterinarian). The canine will need a current Health Certificate. The dog must be well socialized with people and other animals and show no signs of aggression toward people or animals. Additional requirements for the canine are as follows: a. The canine must be previously microchipped. b. The canine s weight must be proportional to the canine s frame and skeletal size. An objective rating system to measure body condition (weight for frame) should be used. (Development and Validation of body condition score system for canines: a clinical tool. La Flamme Canine practice 1997 Vol 22 pages 10-15.) c. The canine must have been vaccinated for: Rabies, canine distemper (CDV), canine adenovirus (type 2) (CAV-2) (canine hepatitis), parvovirus (CPV-2), and leptospirosis. There may be particular regional/national requirements which must be considered. The 2006 AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) guidelines should be consulted. d. A vaccination/titer certificate issued by a veterinarian with individual canine identification (name, tattoo, brand or microchip #) must be provided on all canines. e. An approved veterinarian in accordance with Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) and at government expense will complete a physical examination and provide written certification the canine is fit for government service. This examination will include the following: (1) Physical examination: (a) Gait: The gait should be assessed at the walk, trot and run. (b) Skin and coat: Must be healthy in appearance. (c) Oral cavity: Dentition. (2) Heart and lungs: (a) Heart sounds (b) Heart rate (c) Heart rhythm (d) Lung sounds (e) Cardiovascular system at rest. (f) Cardiovascular system upon exercise. (g) Respiratory system at rest. (h) Respiratory system on exercise. (3) Musculoskeletal system (4) Nervous system and senses, and sensory organs (a) Nervous system (b) Eyes and adenexa (c) Functional vision (d) Anatomy of ears (e) Functional hearing (f) Nose and nasopharynx (g) Demonstrated olfactory ability (5) Reproductive and urinary system. (a) Intact or neutered reproductive system. Document monorchidism or cryptorchidism. (b) Urinary tract anatomy (c) Urinary tract function (6) Laboratory minimum database (7) Hematology and blood chemistry (a) Collection of blood sample for routine testing blood chemistry. Complete blood count. (b) Serology (c) Canine heartworm testing (8) Urinalysis (a) Collection of urine sample for routine testing. (b) Urine specific gravity (9) Fecal examination. Collection of fecal sample for routine testing. (10) Skeletal radiology. (a) Early signs of degenerative joint disease would not be acceptable. (b) It is considered a best practice to acquire diagnostic elbow and hip radiographs for evaluation of elbow and hip conformation and that these be reviewed by an independent board certified veterinary radiologist. (c) It is a best practice to ensure that the minimum patient data are projected or imprinted ( flashed ) permanently on the radiograph at the time of exposure. (d) If further evaluation is warranted, evaluations may be completed at the discretion of the veterinarian or the canine may be deemed unacceptable. 3. INITIAL HANDLER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS a. Handler Training Overview: (1) After being selected as the Canine Handler, the Canine Handler will be required to attend an approved initial canine training course consisting of 240 hours of initial handler training. Any previous canine training will not apply to this requirement. There will be no exceptions granted to the 240-hour initial canine handler training requirement. (2) The 240 hours of initial canine handler training shall be continuous until completion and will be broken down into the following: (3) Canine Handler training shall combine theory (rules, ideas, principles and techniques) and practical skill objectives that the canine handler must learn and demonstrate. (4) The canine handler will have at a minimum 200 hours of practical application under qualified instructor supervision. (5) The canine handler will have at a minimum 40 hours of classroom instruction from a qualified instructor. (6) The following topics are covered in detail in the canine handler curriculum: (a) Safety Instruction: 1 Handler (and other humans) safety a The student shall receive instruction on how to properly muzzle the canine using a muzzle or leash. b The student shall receive instruction on how to safely break-up a dog fight to prevent injury to the dogs and handler(s). c The student shall receive instruction on how to protect himself, herself, and others should their canine partner become aggressive. d The student shall be instructed on how to safely manage the canine during a veterinary examination or procedure. 2 Kennel safety a The student shall receive instruction on canine and handler safety while in a kennel environment. b The student shall receive instruction on the proper way to approach and enter a strange dog s kennel. c The student shall receive instruction on how to move with or without the dog within a kennel to ensure personal safety and prevent dog fights. d The student shall receive instruction on the importance of weekly kennel inspections to prevent the canine from encountering hazards such as sharp objects. 3 Transportation Safety a The student shall receive instruction on how to safely transport canines in vehicles specifically designed for that purpose as well as vehicles not equipped to carry canines. b The student shall receive instruction on how to safely transport personnel in the same vehicle as the canine. c The student shall receive instruction on how to prepare an air crate for the safe transportation of the canine. (b) Daily Canine Care 1 Nutrition and Hydration a The student shall receive instruction on how to fulfill the canine s requirements for food and water. b The student shall receive instruction on how to properly feed, follow feeding schedule, monitor food intake and make adjustments to diet when needed. c The student shall receive instruction on how to provide a continuous supply of clean, cool water. 2 Exercise and Stimulation a The student shall receive instruction on the role of exercise in the canine s daily activities, the importance of a daily exercise regimen and how to ensure the canine s exercise needs are met. b The student shall receive instruction on how to provide appropriate exercise to ensure the canine s physical well- being, including weight management, muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness. c The student shall receive instruction on how to provide mental stimulation such as physical conditioning and appropriate environmental enrichment to ensure the canine s mental well-being. d The student shall receive instruction on how to provide exercise that will complement the canine s trained discipline(s). 3 Scheduled Rest a The student shall receive instruction on how to ensure the canine is provided with adequate and appropriate rest periods. b The student shall receive instruction on the value of adequate rest for the canine while in its kennel. c The student shall receive instruction on the value of adequate rest for the canine between operational periods. 4 Health Related a The student shall receive instruction on how to conduct a daily inspection of the dog to ensure it is being maintained in good health. (1) The student shall receive instruction on how to care for the canine s bathing and grooming needs as well as instruction on the proper use of grooming equipment and techniques. (2) The student shall receive instruction on eye and ear care and learn how to care for the canine s nose, mouth, genitalia and extremities. (3) The student shall receive instruction on how to recognize and treat internal and external parasites. b The student shall receive instruction on how to provide the canine time out of its kennel daily, to allow for elimination of biologic waste, a health inspection including biological waste inspection, and an inspection and cleaning of the kennel. c The student shall receive instruction on how to administer medications as needed. (c) Kenneling 1 Kenneling at home - Where applicable the student shall receive instruction on how to properly kennel the canine in a home environment. a The student shall receive instruction on how to inspect the home kennel each day to ensure it is safe, clean and secure. b The student shall receive instruction on how to maintain the kennel through daily cleaning, disinfecting and other required maintenance. 2 Kenneling at a Contracted Facility- The student shall receive instruction on how to properly kennel the canine in a contracted facility. Many of the same safety issues will apply to kenneling at home and kenneling at a contracted facility. a The student shall receive instruction on how to inspect the kennel each day to ensure it is safe, clean and secure. b The student shall receive instruction on how to maintain the kennel through daily cleaning, disinfecting and other required maintenance. (d) Obedience 1 Purpose of Obedience Training- The student shall receive instruction on how to attain various levels of control over the canine using obedience training. 2 Voice Tones - The student shall receive instruction on how to effectively communicate with the canine using various voice tones. 3 Body Language - The student shall receive instruction on how to identify and use body language to properly communicate with the canine. 4 Training Equipment - The student shall receive instruction on the proper use of equipment including but not limited to leashes, choke (slip) collars, fur saver collars, harnesses and clickers. Note: prong collars and remote trainers are not authorized. 5 Obedience Commands - The student shall receive instruction on basic obedience commands and be able to demonstrate their mechanics correctly. 6 Praise and Corrections - The student shall receive instruction on proper praise and correction techniques. Additionally, the student will recognize and demonstrate the correct usage and timing of motivational tools. (e) Canine Health and Emergency Veterinary Care 1 The student shall receive instruction on how to assess their canine partner s vital signs, including body temperature, respiration, heart rate, reflexes and mobility. 2 Canine Anatomy - The student shall receive instruction on the terminology associated with canine anatomy. 3 First Aid - The student shall receive instruction on the contents of a canine first aid kit and how to utilize the components in emergency situations. 4 Trauma - The student shall receive instruction on how to address trauma related events such as gunshot wounds, broken bones, excessive bleeding, snake bites, insect bites, car accidents and dog fights. 5 CPR - The student shall receive instruction on the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the canine. Instruction should be conducted by a recognized professional. 6 Transport - The student shall receive instruction on how to provide proper transportation of the injured canine from the field to a veterinary care facility. 7 Common Emergency Situations - At minimum, a student will recognize the symptoms of, and the need for emergency care for the following conditions: a Shock b Seizures c Perceived or possible ingestion of poisons/ narcotic or explosive/accelerant d Heat exhaustion e Dehydration f Gastric torsion/bloat g Collapse h Fractures i Profound staggering (f) Canine Legal Issues and Case Law 1 Canine Search and Seizure - The student shall receive instruction on applicable local, state, and federal statutes regarding canine search and seizure as they relate to the student s jurisdiction and duties. 2 Canine Team Resume - The student shall receive instruction on how to successfully develop and document the canine team s reliability, training and certification in a team resume that will satisfy all legal issues regarding such documentation. 3 Canine Searches (sniff) - The student shall receive instruction on and become familiar with the legal issues and applicable case law surrounding the use of canines for duties including but not limited to: a Residential searches b Vehicle searches c Vessel searches d School searches e Person searches f Package and luggage searches g Open field searches h Public and private property searches 4 Handling and Documentation of Evidence - Where appropriate, the student shall receive instruction on the necessity for proper handling of evidence including documentation and the chain of custody. (g) Search Techniques 1 Techniques - The student shall receive instruction on search techniques that complement the training and conditioning of the canine. 2 Planning - The student shall receive instruction on how to develop a plan prior to deploying his or her canine for a search. A well-designed search plan should include but not be limited to: a) Gathering intelligence b) Canine and handler safety c) Tactical and operational considerations d) Minimize evidence disturbance e) Necessary resources f) Environmental conditions 3 Priorities - The student shall receive instruction on how to prioritize areas of the search. Factors that can affect the priorities include training of the search team and the information and intelligence that was gathered during the planning stage of the canine team s deployment. 4 Patterns - The student shall receive instruction on how to deploy the canine in a pattern that is consistent with the canine team s discipline and canine s training. The pattern selected should be systematic to ensure the most effective search. (h) Maintenance Training 1 The student shall receive instruction on the importance of varying all aspects of the canine team training experience as dictated by the needs of the canine and/or handler or program requirements. 2 The student shall receive instruction on the importance of maintaining the proficiency of the canine in the work environment using objective-based training. 3 The student shall receive instruction on the value of conducting detection maintenance training away from the normal work environment which will allow the canine s abilities to be strengthened and/or correct problem areas that may arise. 4 The student shall receive instruction on the importance of blind searches. 5 The student shall receive instruction on the importance of blank searches. (i) Training Aids 1 Safe Handling and Storage - The student shall receive instruction on the correct procedures for the safe handling and storage of training aids to ensure security and prevent contamination. 2 The student shall receive instruction on the importance of placement of the training aids in the training environment to avoid contamination from contact with strong odors. 3 Maintenance - The student shall receive instruction on the importance of maintaining their respective training aids serviceability. 4 The student will learn the importance of having damaged or contaminated training aids removed from service or repackaged. (j) Recognizing Concealment Techniques 1 Where appropriate the student shall receive instruction on how to recognize and become familiar with commonly encountered concealment techniques. 2 Common areas and conveyances used for concealment may include, but are not limited to: a Vehicles b Aircraft c Marine Vessels d Residences e Persons f Open field / buried areas g Venues h Check points i Transit areas j Distinguished visitor areas k General seating areas l Schools m Commercial buildings n Correctional facilities o Discipline specific 3 Concealment Methods - The student shall receive instruction on how to recognize and become familiar with those methods which may be used for concealment. a Geographic Concealment Trends -The student shall receive instruction on how to recognize and become familiar with those geographic concealment trends that are particular to the culture and environment in which their canines are applied. b Masking Odors and Agents - The student shall receive instruction on how to recognize and identify agents used to mask or conceal target odors from the canine. (k) Handler and Canine safety 1 The student shall receive instruction on how to recognize and become familiar with situations that may be inherently dangerous or present a substantial risk of injury or death to the canine and handler. Those areas may include but are not limited to: a Armed and/or dangerous suspects b Booby traps and ambush c Poisons d Bio Chemical hazards e Environmental Factors (l) Record Keeping 1 Case law - The student shall receive instruction on and become familiar with state and federal case law on canine record keeping as it relates to the student s specific discipline and jurisdiction. 2 Canine Handler Training- The student shall receive instruction on and become familiar with documenting and maintaining all records associated with canine handler s training as it relates to and is applicable to the canine handler s duties. NARCOTICS DETECTION TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CANINE: (Only mandatory if utilization of narcotics canine is warranted) a. Initial Training (1) Training shall be conducted by a competent, qualified narcotic detector canine trainer from an entity which utilizes a structured curriculum with specific training and learning objectives. (2) The narcotic detection training course shall include training the canine to detect marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. (3) Training shall include varying quantities of the odors listed above. (4) Training shall include exposing the canine to a variety of different types of searches and locations. (5) The initial training should continue until the narcotic detection canine team is certified to the minimum standard in this Statement of Work. See paragraph 3 sub-paragraph b Canine/Handler Team Certification or the canine is deemed not certifiable. (6) Initial training shall represent all conditions that could be encountered during a certification process. b. Canine/Handler Team Certification (1) Certification for the named canine team shall be valid for one year. (2) Parameters of test (a) The narcotic detector canine shall be tested on the substance odors for which it is trained. (b) All odors for which the dog will be certified must be tested. (c) The test shall be designed to resemble normal operational searches by using vehicles, buildings, parcels, luggage, etc. to conceal substances. (d) Certification testing shall be conducted with no less than 5 grams of the actual substance to be detected. (e) The test shall include a variety of searches designed to evaluate the canine s ability to recognize the odor, respond to the odor and the handler s ability to recognize this response. (f) The test shall include scenarios resembling searches within the normal operational environment and include at least 3 different searches (see categories below) designed to evaluate the canine s ability to recognize the odor, respond to the odor and the handler s ability to recognize this response. Not all odors will necessarily be in each type of search and some search areas shall contain no odors (blanks). Types of searches and maximum search times are listed below: 1 Parcels searches with 4 articles per odor used will take no more than 1 minute to search 4 parcels. 2 Baggage searches with 4 articles per odor used will take no more than 1 minute to search 4 bags. 3 Building/room searches (the room may contain zero to three aids depending upon the size and environmental conditions. Rooms that are 200-1200 sq. ft. with furniture should take 1.5 minute per100 sq. ft. Training aids will not be placed above 6 feet from the ground and shall not be placed more than 1 foot deep. 4 Motor vehicle searches including interiors and exteriors (4 vehicles per search using passenger cars and trucks, 2 minutes per vehicle). (g) The dog/handler team must demonstrate the ability to detect all trained odors. (h) For successful certification, the canine/handler team shall achieve at least a 90% confirmed alert and no more than two false alerts. For successful certification a positive alert is defined as the trained detection alert in the presence of the target odor. The alert rate is calculated as the number of positive alerts divided by the number of available targets. For example, if the certification has ten target odors and the canine team identifies nine odors, it will have achieved a 90% positive alert rate. A false alert is defined as an alert in the absence of the target odor in the immediate vicinity. (i) A canine team which fails the certification process shall complete a corrective action plan before making another attempt to certify. (3) Use of distracters (a) Natural distracters are normally present in the testing area. (b) Placement of distracters in the certification area is required when no natural distracters are present. (c) Care must be taken not to place artificial distractions in a manner that causes contamination of the test substance odor. (4) Certification will not be conducted in areas in which narcotics detection canine teams have recently trained or certified. (5) Certification for narcotic detection dogs will be comprised of a comprehensive assessment. (a) The handler shall be advised of the parameters of the search, yet shall not know the desired outcome. (b) The handler shall not know the number or placement of the target objects. (c) The evaluating official shall know the desired outcome of the search. (d) The assessments shall include a blank search. 5. HUMAN SCENT DOGS TRAINING REQUIREMENTS TRAILING (Only mandatory if utilization of a missing patient trailing/tracking canine is warranted.) a. Initial Training (1) To achieve search functionality, the handler shall be trained by a competent individual who utilizes a structured curriculum with specific training and learning objectives. (2) Handler training shall include human scent theory, relevant canine case law and legal preparation, including court testimony. (3) Training of the handler shall include recognition and articulation of the canine s (change of) behavior during the search and the specific final response. (4) Handler training may include techniques for collecting, handling, storing and disposing of articles and human scent evidence as required by the handler s department or organization. (5) In order to maximize search efficiency, handler training shall include learning search techniques and tactics, as well as the principals of odor dispersion and how dispersion is affected by environmental conditions. (6) Training shall include exposing the canine to a variety of different types of locations, noises, odors, people and environments. (7) Initial training shall include sufficient obedience training to ensure the canine will operate effectively based on mission requirements. (8) The canine shall be trained to perform a pre-determined specific final response (passive alert) upon locating the human target. (9) To achieve search functionality, the canine team shall be trained by a competent trainer utilizing a structured curriculum with specific training and learning objectives. (10) The training shall be structured to meet the typical mission requirements of the canine team s department or organization. b. Canine Team Certification (1) Certification for the named canine team shall be valid for one year. (2) The canine team shall be assessed in the following ways: (a) Comprehensive assessments shall test the following: 1 The ability of the canine team to follow a trail on different surfaces and identify a specific person. 2 The handler s ability to interpret the canine s behavior, including the final response. 3 The canine s responses. 4 Each canine team shall work on a separate trail. 5 A mission-oriented assessment environment shall be used. Meaning that if the canine typically works in an urban area then the assessment will be conducted in the urban setting. (b) Parameters 1 Rural environment parameters include a trail that is a minimum of 600 yards in length, a minimum of 2 turns and a minimum set time of 30 minutes. With the wind not in the canines favor, ie.. the subject laying the trail will be upwind. 2 Urban environment parameters include a trail that is a minimum of 300 yards in length, a minimum of 2 turns, and a minimum set time of 30 minutes. With the wind not in the canines favor, ie.. the subject laying the trail will be upwind. 3 The target may leave personally scented articles along the trail. 4 If the assessment location does not contain normally occurring distracters, such as human and animal activity, distracters should be placed along the trail. 5 The assessment area shall contain other human trails (fresher than the target trail) occurring both intermittently across and along a section of the target trail. 6 The assessment location shall not be an area regularly used for the training of the team. 7 The handler shall be informed of the start location. 8 The assessment shall be completed within 15 minutes. 9 The assessor shall know the correct layout of the trail. 10 The handler shall not know the correct layout of the trail. 11 The assessor shall take into consideration environmental influences on odor dispersion in determining whether or not a canine team is still on the trail. 12 Identifying a human distracter or following a distracter odor trail will be considered a failure. 13 A canine team which fails the certification process shall complete a corrective action plan before making another attempt to certify. TRAINING: If you feel the need to have a school longer than 6 weeks please annotate in the bid. This training will occur at the selected company's training facility. Upon completion of the training the canine will return to (enter station location here) with handler. The company selected will provide unlimited phone consultation for any training questions or difficulties encountered during training. If you have other training plans please submit with your bid. CHANGES TO STATEMENT OF WORK Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the CO. A copy of each change will be kept in a project folder along with all other products of the project. Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the CO shall be borne by the contractor. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE It is agreed that: 1. The preliminary and final deliverables, and all associated working papers, application source code, and other material deemed relevant by VA which have been generated by the contractor in the performance of this task order, are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government and shall be submitted to the CO at the conclusion of the task order. 2. The CO will be the s...