88-CBP REQUEST FOR INFORMATION CANINE ACQUISITION THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) AND NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking industry interest and information on a requirement for law enforcement working canines/dogs. Both the U.S. Customs Service and the Border patrol have long-standing programs to acquire untrained dogs for the important mission of safeguarding our borders and ports-of-entry. The establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Customs & Border Protection has elevated the need to secure a steady supply of the highest quality canines for this vital mission. These canines must possess genetic traits that predispose them for work in a law enforcement environment. The Government seeks alternative approaches to establish and maintain this source or sources of supply. In keeping with this goal, the Government seeks industry input to: · discover additional sources for our expanding program · discover and implement best practices for procuring untrained dogs The following requirements are applicable to the type and quality of dogs sought: a. Age — The canine shall have a documented age between twelve (12) and thirty-eight (38) months. b. Weight — The canine shall weigh no less than forty-five (45) pounds nor more than ninety (90) pounds. c. Size — The canine shall measure not less than twenty-two (22) inches no more than thirty (30) inches at the shoulder. d. Sex — The canine may be either male or female. e. Breeds — (1) Office of Border Patrol (OBP). 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. (2) Office of Field Operations (OFO) A recognized working or sporting breed such as the following: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois. f. Lineage — (1) OBP Special Requirement: The canine shall be European born or of European lineage traceable by two generations. (2) OFO has no special requirement for the lineage of their canines. Government agencies will administer a series of tests on the canine to determine whether it has the capability of working in the particular environment peculiar to that agency. The most important factor in selecting detector dogs for training is not its breed, but the extent of enthusiasm the dog displays toward retrieving a given object. For more general information concerning CBP Canine Programs, visit the following web sites: · http://cbpnet.cbp.dhs.gov/linkhandler/cbpnet/obp/bp_handbook/30.ctt/Chapter%2030%20Canine.pdf · http://cbpnet.cbp.dhs.gov/linkhandler/cbpnet/toolbox/forms/cbp_forms/312.ctt/CBP-312.pdf These tests, administered to all potential CBP dogs, will reveal if they possess the inherited traits that make them a likely candidate for detection training. The canine must pass these tests in order to be accepted in the canine training program. These tests consist of the following: 1. OBP Test Battery a. Stable Character Test b. Retrieval Prey Drive Test c. Perseverance Test d. Water Conflict Test e. Food Conflict Test f. Handler/Object Conflict Test g. Hunt Drive Test h. On-line Search Test 2. OFO Test Battery a. Work area adaptability (confined spaces, elevated objects, on moving objects, etc.) b. Strong desire to retrieve and possess an object thrown into a variety of environments under varying circumstances. Throughout the selection phase, the canine must show that it possesses the temperament and genetic drives to work within a law enforcement environment based on the following attributes and criteria: a. Socialization b. Courage/Confidence: c. Drives Documentation such as vaccination records, health certificate, X-ray’s, and other related paperwork (pedigrees, registration certificates, scorebooks, breed surveys, etc.) shall accompany the canine at the time of delivery: A certified veterinarian will perform a full physical (including x-rays) after the canine successfully completes the selection process. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. This Request For Information is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the Government will issue a procurement action. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as the result of the submission of contractor’s information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. The Government will safeguard proprietary information in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Sources responding to this RFI should provide four copies of their information and estimated cost data to the Contract Specialist at Customs and Border Protection, Attn: Bobby Crockett, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1310 NP, Washington, DC 20229. Alternatively, submissions via e-mail to the Contract Specialist at [email protected] are acceptable. The estimated cost data are for budgetary/planning purposes only. Firms should also include their business size, CAGE code, Dun & Bradstreet number and GSA Schedule should they possess one. For those small businesses interested in responding to this RFI and who have questions concerning how to conduct business with the Government, please contact Mr. William Bickelman, (202) 344-1168. For other questions or clarifications, contact the Contract Specialist at (202) 344-2591 All submissions will adhere to the following deadlines: Hard copies: 4:00p.m. E.D.T., June 1, 2005 Electronic mail: 4:00 p.m. E.D.T., May 31, 2005

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