This is a Request for Information (RFI). PROVIDE YOUR RESPONSE BY EMAIL TO [email protected] and to [email protected] BY 8/13/04. This is not a solicitation, not an announcement of a solicitation, and not a notice of intent to later issue a solicitation. Do not attempt to submit a priced proposal or to request or register to receive a solicitation at this time as that is not the purpose of this announcement. No vendor(s) will be selected for a contract award based on their response to this RFI, it is for market research and procurement planning purposes only. The Bombing Prevention Unit in the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security is requesting capability statements from vendors who can provide by 10/1/04 a total of (32) Explosive Detector Canines who meet the characteristics described in this RFI. This RFI is an attempt to determine how widely available such specifically trained dogs are in this time frame. At this time, we are interested ONLY in hearing from companies who can supply the required number of dogs with ALL the required characteristics.Contractor will provide a tailored canine explosives-detection training program and associated curriculum to meet the emerging bombing threat to critical infrastructure and key assets. The training program shall focus on the following explosive materials detection scenarios: Building searches; Transportation corridors; Outside grounds searches; Luggage/package interrogation; Vehicle interrogation; In all scenarios, working in public places with by-standers. • Canines shall be selected from a Breeding Program or other vendors of high quality purpose-bred canines. • Dogs shall be between 12 and 36 months of age at the beginning of training • Dogs shall exhibit suitable physical conditioning to adequately perform detection tasks and their weight shall be appropriate (4-6 on 9-point “Purina Body Condition System”) to their stature. • No dogs will have had any patrol (i.e., aggression / apprehension / bite) training or been used for such work • No dogs will have had any training to detect illicit drugs or been used for illicit drug detection • Dogs shall have normal dental occlusion. All four canines shall be present with not more than 1/3 of an inch of the tip missing and not weakened by notching, enamel hypoplasia or abnormal, excessive ware. • Dogs shall exhibit normal heart sounds, rate and rhythm at rest and upon exercise • Dogs shall display orthopedic soundness and not exhibit hip or elbow dysplasia, unhealed fractures or significant bone or joint confirmation changes resulting from fracture, ligament damage, osteoarthritis, transitional vertebrae of the caudal lumbar spine, lumbosacral junction, or sacrum nor asymmetric pelvic attachment. • Dogs shall not exhibit any defect of the nervous system such as opacities of the cornea, retinal degeneration, cataract, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis or spinal disease • Dogs shall be free of heartworms as indicated by heartworm antigen test • All dogs shall have current vaccinations for rabies, canine distemper, canine adenovirus (type 2), corona virus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and leptosopirosis. A record of vaccination/certification shall be provided with each dog. • Dogs shall be free from congenital or conformational abnormality of the reproductive or urinary system that requires long-term medical care or interferers with working tasks. Dogs may be spayed or neutered. Dogs selected for the DHS LE canine program shall be pre-trained to search for and emit a passive alert response (sit) in the presence of all of the following list of explosive materials in open area, buildings, luggage/package interrogation, and vehicle interrogation prior to being paired with an LE handler trainee for further training of the dog and handler: C-4; TNT; Detonation cord; Safety Fuse; Uni-Gel Dynamite; Water Gel; Smokeless Powder; Potassium Chlorate; Sodium Chlorate; Ammonia Chlorate; PEROXIDE BASED EXPLOSIVES TATP, HMTD); AMMONIUM NITRATE; SEMTEX. Contractor shall warrant the explosive detection capabilities of graduate dogs for 36-months from the time of course graduation. If the performance problem cannot be corrected by remote consultation with the handler, the detection team may return to Contractor for assessment and re-training at no cost.

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