SOLICITATION NOTICE
88 -- Untrained Dual Purpose Canines
- Notice Date
- 8/18/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 112990
— All Other Animal Production
- Contracting Office
- DHS - Border and Transportation Security, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Procurement, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 1310 NP, Washington, DC, 20229
- ZIP Code
- 20229
- Solicitation Number
- HSBP1005Q0523
- Response Due
- 8/26/2005
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- The Department of Homeland Security, CBP, OBPAir & Marine Operations Center, El Paso, Texas, is issuing a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested & a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation HSBP1005Q0523 is being issued as a RFQ. The RFQ document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC 05-05. The RFQ will be distributed solely through the GSA?s Federal Business Opportunities web site http://www.fedbizopps.gov/. Hard copies of the solicitation document will not be available. THIS IS A SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. The NAICS code is 112990. The small business size standard is $.75 million. A single award will be made. CLIN 00010 Untrained Dual Purpose Canine 6 each $_________ each. Delivery is to be FOB Destination to the National Canine Facility, Building 11617 Sgt Sims Road, Biggs AAF, El Paso, TX 79908. The provisions at FAR 15.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition. FAR 12.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, is applicable. Paragraph (a), evaluation criteria is as follows: Award will be made to the responsible Quoter who is responsive, with the lowest price. Additional instruction: HSAM 3052.247-72, F.O.B. Destination. FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications ? Commercial Items and FAR 52.212-4, Contract terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Within FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, the following clauses are applicable: FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Small Business Set-Aside; FAR 52.222-19, Child Labor ? Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246); FAR 52.222-35, Affirmative Actions for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; FAR 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers; FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; FAR 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer ? Central Contractor Registration, and FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (available at http://www.arnet.gov/far). Addendum to FAR 52.212-5: HSAR 3052.209-70, Prohibition on Contracts with Corporate Expatriates (DEC 2003). Quotations are due at 1:00pm on the date cited above at Office of the Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations Center, 9C Butterfield Trail, El Paso, TX 79906. Responses may be faxed to 915 782-2244. Should you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Aldridge at 915 782-2218. All responsible sources may submit a quote, which shall be considered. See Numbered Note 1 STATEMENT OF WORK GENERAL The Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Border Patrol (OBP) has been tasked with detecting and apprehending terrorists and their weapons. To assist in accomplishing this mission, the OBP is embarking on a project to utilize specially trained canine teams. These canines are to be trained in the disciplines of criminal location and apprehension as well as explosive detection. The successful contractor is expected to supply canines in accordance with the specific requirements indicated below: REQUIREMENTS The requirements of this agency for replacement canines are: a. Breeds -Either Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherds are acceptable. German Shepherds and Belgian herding breeds may be accepted on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Government. b. Lineage -The canine shall be European born or of European lineage traceable by two generations. Proof of lineage shall be provided with each delivery. The absence of proper documentation will be grounds for rejecting a canine. American-bred canines may be accepted on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Government. c. Age -The canine shall have a documented age between twelve (12) and thirty-eight (38) months. d. Weight -The canine shall weigh no less than forty-five (45) pounds nor more than ninety (90) pounds. e. Size -The canine shall measure not less than twenty-two (22) inches no more than thirty (30) inches at the shoulder. f. Sex -The canine may be either male or female. SELECTION CRITERIA The Border Patrol personnel at the National Canine Facility in El Paso, TX will administer a series of tests on the canine to determine whether it has the capability of working in a Border Patrol environment. The canine is required to pass these tests in order to be accepted in the canine training program. These tests are described in the following section. SELECTION EXERCISES/TESTS Detection Testing - The canine will be utilized in various detection fields. To comply with the training protocols utilized the canine shall exhibit an obsession to play with objects, have stable character, be gun-sure and willing to surmount difficult obstacles. The canine should prefer to play with objects more than having food, water, or the attention of its handler. No commands will be given for the canine to retrieve. Listed below are several tests that provide insight into a candidate's suitability in the detection field. National Canine Facility (NCF) staff instructors will perform all tests. a. Stable Character Test -The canine will be brought around several people to judge how it responds. It should not be afraid or act aggressively toward anyone who approaches it. A happy, social attitude should be seen in its behavior. The canine will be walked on smooth tile floors to see if it is sure-footed. The canine should display no fear or discomfort. While the canine is standing or walking on leash in a passive state, an umbrella will be opened suddenly in its face. The canine may show a slight startled reaction but should recover quickly. The canine will be tested for gun sureness with several unusually loud gunshots fired from about 50 feet behind it in which the canine should show little or no reaction. The canine will be taken into tight places to see how it responds. It should confidently enter and investigate these areas without hesitation. In addition to the above tests, a search of a vehicle with the engine running may be performed at the discretion of the Government. b. Retrieve/Prey Drive Test -The canine will be evaluated to see if it will pursue not only objects it is familiar with, but also strange, hard and soft objects. This test will be conducted in a ravine or on a hill. The canine, handler, and evaluator will stand downhill and the handler will throw each object uphill and out-of-sight. With each object, the canine will be held on-line and will be released with no command. One by one, several objects, familiar and strange, will be thrown uphill for the canine to pursue. The canine will be judged on its alertness, speed, hunt and grab of each object. The purpose is to determine if the canine will hunt for and play with strange objects while being physically stressed. Examples of strange objects are: a piece of PVC pipe, a block of wood, a piece of metal pipe, etc. The canine?s behavior in this test will be assessed against the following ideal behavior: 1. Alert -The canine should show undistracted interest when presented with each object and pull hard against the leash as the object is being thrown. 2. Speed -Upon being released, the canine should demonstrate extreme physical effort in running to the area where the object fell. 3. Hunt -Upon reaching the area, the canine must show effective use of its olfactory senses in locating the object. 4. Grab -Upon locating the object, the canine should immediately grab it in its mouth and show a desire and satisfaction in playing with the object. c. Perseverance Test -The canine will be pre-stimulated with an object that will then be placed under a heavy object (cement block, tire, etc.). The canine will then be released. The canine will be evaluated on its drive and desire to work out the problem and obtain the object. The purpose is to determine whether the canine possesses a sufficient desire to work to obtain the object and to determine the canine's natural indication behavior (passive/aggressive). Ideal behavior for this test is, upon reaching the location of the object, the canine immediately engages in frantic biting and scratching behavior in an effort to dig and obtain the object, or a frozen stare at the location of the object. d. Water Conflict Test -After the retrieve/prey test, the canine will be taken to a location where there will be a small pond, stream or container of water. The canine will be shown the water and pre-stimulated with the object that will be thrown beyond the water. The canine will then be released. The ideal behavior is that the canine goes directly to the object without stopping to take a drink. e. Food Conflict Test -A test similar to the water conflict will be conducted with food. The canine will be pre-stimulated with the object that is then thrown downwind of the food. The canine will then be released. The desired behavior is that the canine disregards the food and pursues the object. f. Handler/Object Conflict Test -The canine will be brought to a location where there will be a six-foot high chain link fence or an overturned milk crate or like item. The canine will be pre-stimulated with an object that will be placed behind the fence or under the milk crate. The canine will then be released and the handler will walk out of sight. The canine should go to the object, show keen interest and remain unaffected by the absence of the handler. g. Hunt Drive Test -The canine will be brought to a location where there will be a high degree of grass or brush. The canine will be pre-stimulated with an object which will be thrown deep (over 40 yards) into the grass or brush. The purpose is to determine the level of the canine's hardness in pushing through the brush and if the canine will search for an extended period of time without losing interest. The ideal behavior for this test is that the canine crash through the brush with maximum physical effort. Once in the brush, the canine must exhibit concentrated and frantic hunting behavior utilizing its olfactory senses. The canine is expected to maintain this behavior for an extended period (4 to 5 minutes) without any assistance from the handler until such time as it locates the object. Upon locating the object, the canine should immediately grab the object in its mouth and demonstrate satisfaction in playing with it. h. On-line Search Test -The canine will be brought to a search area (shelves, vehicles, building, etc.). The canine will then be pre-stimulated with an object that will . be placed out of sight in the search area at a location above ground level. The canine will then be directed through a systematic search of the area on a leash. Included in this search will be several areas above waist level. The purpose is to determine the degree of trainability and handler sensitivity in the canine. Ideal behavior for this test is that the canine will follow all directional commands and signals made by the handler. The canine must demonstrate effective use of its olfactory senses in searching the area where it is directed. Upon reaching the hidden object, the canine should show quick recognition of the object's odor and display an undistracted desire to follow this odor and obtain the object. Apprehension Testing - The canine will also be trained to search for, detain, and when necessary physically apprehend non compliant subjects. To be effective in this task the canine must exhibit strong desire to hunt for people and an unwavering ability to engage in physical combat with a violent subject. Listed below are five tests that will be utilized to evaluate the candidate?s suitability in this field. In these descriptions the person handling the canine through testing is referred to as the ?handler? and the person who will engage in physical combat with the canine is referred to as the ?decoy?. In all but the last test (Test 5), the canine will be placed in a secure muzzle designed for the purpose of apprehension training. National Canine Facility (NCF) staff instructors will approve all equipment utilized for testing, act as decoys, and perform all tests. a. Test 1, Run-Away Out-Of-Sight ? The handler brings the canine to a spot designated by the evaluator. The decoy emerges from a concealed location approximately seventy-five yards in front of the handler and canine. While the handler holds the canine on leash, the decoy makes threatening gestures and turns and runs back out of sight. Once out of sight of the canine and handler, the decoy runs to a location approximately thirty yards away and up wind. Once there, the decoy stands motionless for the rest of the test. The evaluator will instruct the handler to release the canine approximately ten seconds after the decoy first goes out of sight. The handler is to remain at this starting point until the evaluator determines that the test is completed. The canine?s behavior in this test will be assessed against the following ideal behavior: 1. Alert ? The canine should show an undistracted intense interest in the decoy while he makes threatening gestures and runs away. 2. Speed - Upon being released, the canine should demonstrate extreme physical effort in running to the area where the decoy was last seen. 3. Hunt - Upon reaching the area, the canine must show effective use of its olfactory senses in locating the decoy. 4. Guard ? Upon locating the decoy, the canine must show unwavering and undistracted desire to solicit combat from the decoy, either actively striking, or intensely barking at, the decoy. The canine must demonstrate this behavior for a period of not less than sixty seconds. b. Test 2, Straight Run-Away - The handler brings the canine to a spot designated by the evaluator. The decoy emerges from a concealed location approximately forty yards in front of the handler and canine. While the handler holds the canine on leash, the decoy makes threatening gestures and turns and runs away. At this point the evaluator instructs the handler to release the canine. For the duration of the test the decoy continues to flee and provide no further stimulation to the canine and the handler remains at the starting point. The canine?s behavior in this test will be assessed against the following ideal behavior: 1. Alert - The canine should show an undistracted intense interest in the decoy while he makes threatening gestures and runs away. 2. Speed - Upon being released, the canine should demonstrate extreme physical effort in pursuing the decoy. 3. Hit ? Upon catching up to the decoy, the canine should launch with a firm muzzle strike that is placed high in the center of the back of the decoy. 4. Fight ? With the decoy only continuing the run, the canine continues to actively engage and fight the decoy with multiple muzzle strikes. c. Test 3, Courage Test - The handler brings the canine to a spot designated by the evaluator. The decoy emerges from a concealed location approximately forty yards in front of the handler and canine. While the handler holds the canine on leash, the decoy makes threatening gestures and turns and runs away. At this point the evaluator instructs the handler to release the canine. The handler remains at the starting point for the duration of the test. When the canine is approximately halfway to the decoy he will turn and charge the canine, making threatening gestures and yelling. As the canine gets close, the decoy will then throw light material (i.e. leaves, grass) at the canine. After the initial contact with the canine the decoy engages in active physical combat with strong threatening behavior. The canine?s behavior in this test will be assessed against the following ideal behavior: 1. Alert - The canine should show an undistracted intense interest in the decoy while he makes threatening gestures and runs away. 2. Speed - Upon being released, the canine should demonstrate extreme physical effort in the pursuit and not slow or deviate his path when approaching the charging decoy. 3. Hit ? The canine should ignore the thrown material and immediately launch with a firm muzzle strike placed high in the chest of the decoy. 4. Fight ? With the decoy providing strong threatening behavior, the canine continues to actively engage and fight the decoy with multiple muzzle strikes. d. Test 4, Handler Defense ? The handler is instructed to walk in a certain direction with the canine on leash at the handler?s left side. The decoy has been pre placed in a concealed location along the route on the handler?s right side. When the handler and canine are even with the decoy?s location, the decoy suddenly becomes visible and simulates an attack on the handler, displaying threatening behavior and yelling. The handler drops the leash at this point and remains quiet for the duration of the test. Following the initial contact with the canine, the decoy engages in active physical combat and administers two strikes with a flexible agitation stick across the canine?s shoulders. The canine?s behavior in this test will be assessed against the following ideal behavior: 1. Control ? The canine demonstrates calm yet alert behavior when walking on leash. 2. Defense ? Upon being suddenly confronted with the threatening decoy, the canine immediately lunges across the handler?s body and strikes the decoy high in the chest. 3. Fight - With the decoy providing strong threatening behavior, the canine continues to actively engage and fight the decoy with multiple muzzle strikes. 4. Stick Hits ? When being struck with the agitation stick, the canine disregards the blows and continues to fight. e. Test 5, Cable Bite ? The un-muzzled canine is staked out to a stationary object utilizing a six to ten foot cable or line. With the handler out of sight, the decoy approaches the canine wearing a protective exposed bite sleeve. When directed by the evaluator, the decoy displays threatening behavior and delivers the sleeve within range of the canine. Once the canine bites the sleeve, the decoy engages in active physical combat and administers two strikes with a flexible agitation stick across the canine?s shoulders. At the direction of the evaluator, the decoy then slips the protective sleeve off of his arm and continues to display threatening behavior. The canine?s behavior in this test will be assessed against the following ideal behavior: 1. Alert - The canine should show an undistracted intense interest in the decoy from the time he first becomes visible and demonstrates threatening gestures. 2. Bite ? The canine immediately bites the sleeve when it comes into range utilizing all of his mouth and demonstrates confidant body language with extreme bite pressure. 3. Fight - With the decoy providing strong threatening behavior, the canine continues to actively engage and fight the decoy while maintaining the initial firm bite. 4. Stick Hits ? When being struck with the agitation stick, the canine disregards the blows and continues to fight with no weakening of bite pressure. 5. Sleeve ? When the decoy slips off the protective sleeve and displays threatening behavior, the canine immediately releases the sleeve and demonstrates undistracted intense interest in the decoy. TEMPERAMENT AND GENETIC DRIVES Throughout the selection phase, the canine must show that it possesses the temperament and genetic drives to work within a Border Patrol environment based on the following criteria: a. Socialization -The canine must possess a sound temperament that will allow it to be approached by and work around groups of people without showing fear, distraction, or reacting aggressively. b. Courage/Confidence -The canine must display lack of fear and not be distracted by the following situations and environments: 1. Unsure footing (slick floors, rubble, etc.) 2. Tightly enclosed spaces 3. Moving vehicles 4. Loud noises (weapons fire, etc.) 5. Other live animals and their odors 6. Startling situations (unforeseen events which the canine perceives a danger). c. Drives -The canine shall possess, in varying degrees, the following genetic drives (drives are defined as subconscious impulses to react to stimuli): 1. Hunt -(high degree required) -The drive to search for thrown objects utilizing all senses. 2. Air Scent -(high degree required) -The drive to use its olfactory capability to search for and locate thrown or hidden objects. 3. Fight ? (high degree required) ? The drive to measure physical prowess with rivals. 4. Prey -(required in the absence of retrieve) -The drive to chase, pick up and play with all thrown objects (hard or soft). 5. Retrieve -(required in the absence of prey) -The drive to bring thrown object back to the handler. 6. Activity -(some degree required) -The drive to be constantly in motion, engaged in activity and possessing abundant energy (commonly referred to as "hyper"). 7. Trainability -(some degree required) -Happily and willingly follows handler directions. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: The following documentation shall accompany the canine at the time of delivery: a. Current vaccination records b. Current health certificate administered by a board certified veterinarian. c. Current X-rays (obtained less than sixty (60) days from the date of delivery) of the pelvis and hip area and the elbow of each forequarter. d. Pedigrees, registration certificates, score books, breed surveys and other related paperwork if applicable. PHYSICAL :A certified veterinarian will perform a full physical (including x-rays) after the canine successfully completes the selection process. MISCELLANEOUS: a. The NCF has 15-20 working days after delivery for inspection and acceptance test to be performed. Any canine that fails to pass the requirements/ physical testing performed by the NCF will not be accepted and the contractor will bear all expenses associated with the return of the canine to the contractor's site within seven days after receiving notification. It will be the contractor's responsibility to make alternative arrangements if unable to retrieve the canine within the specified time frame. b. The contractor has 30 days after receipt of notification of non-acceptance to furnish a canine replacement. c. The contractor is responsible for all costs associated with the shipment and retrieval of the canine. The contractor shall make all arrangements for shipment and retrieval. d. The NCF will be responsible for the care and feeding of the canine until such date (7 working days) that the canine should be retrieved. After such date, unless other arrangements have been made, all expenses incurred by the Government for the care of the canine will be deducted from the contractor's invoice for payment (rates will be based on standard commercial practices). e. The Government shall make any and all determinations as to the acceptability/ unacceptability of a canine. f. The contractor shall not, in any case, make the Government responsible for the disposition of a medically defective canine. g. If, within six (6) months after acceptance, it is discovered that the canine has a pre-existing medical problem, chronic disease or heredity deficiency that could render the canine unacceptable for work, the vendor shall replace the canine, at no expense to the Government, within thirty {30) days after receipt of notice that the canine needs to be replaced. h. The canine shall be delivered with a collar around its neck.
- Record
- SN00873327-W 20050820/050818211518 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |