Canine Procurement, Single-Purpose Detector Canines

1. Scope of Work

1.1 The Contractor shall procure and provide Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with canines suitable for CBP single-purpose detector canine training in accordance with this Statement of Work (SOW).

1.2 Delivery and evaluation will occur at CBP-designated Canine Program locations, including the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy (BPK9), El Paso, Texas 79916, and the Field Operations Canine (FOK9) Academy in Front Royal, Virginia 22630.

1.3 For performance-related selection failures, a vendor may request approval to re-present a canine. The vendor is limited to three separate instances of representation during the applicable fiscal year. These instances:

• Do not apply to the same canine;

• Do not carry over to the next fiscal year; and

• Do not apply to medical representations, which are governed by Section 3.6 of this SOW.

1.4 The vendor shall submit a representation request by email to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at least 10 business days before the proposed presentation date. The request shall include:

• Canine name;

• Microchip number;

• Initial presentation date and location; and

• Rationale for the requested representation.

CBP retains sole discretion to approve or disapprove representation requests. Such determinations are final and not subject to appeal.

2. CBP and Contractor Responsibilities

2.1 Presentation and Delivery

2.1.1 Upon notice to proceed, the Contractor shall present canines no later than 60 calendar days after award notification by the Contracting Officer.

2.1.2 Locations may accommodate up to two vendors per week. Appointments will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Failure to present canines within the required period may result in cancellation of the order.

2.1.3 If the order is not fulfilled during the initial canine presentation, the Contractor shall have 60 calendar days after each notification of non-acceptance to provide replacement canine(s).

2.1.4 After 150 calendar days from award notification, CBP may terminate any outstanding portion of the order in accordance with FAR 52.212-4. Vendors whose orders, or portions of orders, are terminated will not be eligible to compete again for the same requirement.

2.2 Non-Accepted Canines

2.2.1 Canines that fail CBP physical, medical, behavioral, or other acceptance requirements will not be accepted.

2.2.2 The Contractor shall bear all costs associated with the return of a non-accepted canine and shall retrieve the canine within seven calendar days after notification of non-acceptance.

2.2.3 CBP will provide care and feeding through the seventh calendar day after notification.

After that period, unless the COR approves other arrangements in writing, the Contractor will be invoiced for CBP-incurred care expenses at rates based on standard commercial practices.

2.2.4 If the Contractor does not retrieve a non-accepted canine within 30 calendar days after notification, the canine will become CBP property. CBP will determine the canine’s care and disposition.

2.2.5 The Contractor shall not hold CBP responsible for the disposition of medically failed or otherwise defective canines.

2.3 Transportation and Consignment

2.3.1 The Contractor is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs for shipment, delivery, retrieval, and return of all canines.

2.3.2 Delivery expenses are included in the agreed contract price per canine and are not separately negotiable.

2.3.3 All behavioral and medical evaluations occur while the canine is consigned to CBP at a CBP-specified location. The Government is not responsible for transportation costs associated with rejected canines, returned canines, or canines submitted for second or subsequent evaluation.

2.4 Evaluation, Acceptance, and Payment

2.4.1 CBP’s purchase process consists of three phases:

1. Pre-screening;

2. Medical evaluation; and

3. Behavioral evaluation.

A candidate canine must pass all three phases before CBP takes ownership.

2.4.2 Medical and behavioral evaluations may require up to two days after selection testing. CBP has up to 15 business days after selection testing to complete the evaluation process, excluding weekends and Federal holidays.

2.4.3 CBP makes final determinations regarding canine acceptability or unacceptability.

2.4.4 Upon completion of selection testing, the vendor may receive an out-brief regarding failed canine(s). The out-brief will provide basic reasons for failure, such as insufficient hunt drive or unstable character.

2.4.5 Payment will be initiated after field testing is completed and medical evaluation requirements are cleared. Invoices will be processed after receipt of bloodwork and field-testing results, generally within 15 business days after the selection date, subject to weekends and Federal holidays.

2.4.6 Any canine that does not receive a negative result for a zoonotic disease, including canine brucellosis, will be returned without an opportunity for representation. CBP may also return all canines delivered with a non-negative canine, regardless of their individual test results, without an opportunity for representation.

2.4.7 CBP testing and results obtained during the evaluation period are the official results used for medical screening. CBP decisions based on those results are final. CBP recommends that vendors consider Brucella testing before delivery.

2.5 Scheduling and Pre-Boarding

2.5.1 Recommendent that vendors pre-board canines one day before scheduled selection testing.

2.5.2 If pre-boarding is coordinated, canines must arrive no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and no later than 12:30 p.m. on the day before testing.

2.5.3 If the vendor does not pre-board, canines must arrive no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled testing day to begin the initial medical evaluation and microchip verification.

2.5.4 No canine transactions will occur on weekends. Centers do not conduct selection testing on Mondays or Fridays.

3. Canine Acceptance Criteria

3.1 Breed

Canines shall be German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervurens, or other working, herding, or sporting breeds approved in advance by the selecting office.

3.2 Age

Canines must have a documented age of at least 10 months and no more than 36 months at the time of evaluation.

3.3 Weight and Body Condition

Canines must be at a healthy working weight, generally corresponding to approximately 16 to 25 percent body fat and a Body Condition Score (BCS) between 3 and 7 on the 1-to-9 scale.

Canines with a BCS of 1 or 9 will not be evaluated.

3.4 Height

Canines must represent the average height standard for their breed.

3.5 Sex

Male and female canines are acceptable. If a female canine is in heat at the time of evaluation, testing may be attempted at the evaluation team’s discretion if it does not affect the evaluation of other canines.

3.6 Medical Requirements

3.6.1 General Medical Condition

All canines must be in excellent health, with no acute or chronic disease or condition that could impair working ability or be excessively costly to treat. At the time of evaluation, each canine must be medically capable of entering training.

The Government will not reimburse private veterinary examination costs.

3.6.2 Pre-Delivery Radiographs

Before delivery, vendors shall submit quality radiographs of the hips and elbows to CBP for a nonbinding review of hip and elbow conformation. Radiographs must permanently display:

• Canine identification, including name, tattoo or brand number, and/or microchip number;

• Whelping date or age at the time of examination; and

• Examination date.

3.6.3 Required Delivery Documentation

The following shall accompany each canine at delivery:

1. Current health certificate and rabies certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian;

2. Current vaccination records;

3. Hip, pelvic, and elbow radiographs obtained within 60 days of delivery;

4. Pedigrees, registration certificates, scorebooks, breed surveys, and other lineage documentation, if applicable; and

5. Other medical records or documentation required by CBP.

3.6.4 Identification and Collar Requirements

Each canine shall have a readable microchip that CBP can scan at the time of presentation. The microchip number must match the accompanying certificates, records, and delivery log. A canine without a readable microchip, or whose microchip does not match the associated records, will not be evaluated.

Each canine shall wear a flat leather or nylon collar displaying the canine’s name and the applicable procurement number, award number, or purchase-request number. Collars must be strong enough to restrain the canine safely.

3.6.5 CBP Veterinary Evaluation

After a canine passes initial selection, veterinary personnel assigned to CBP or a CBP-designated private veterinary facility will conduct medical evaluation. The evaluation may include:

• Complete physical examination;

• Blood, urine, and fecal sample collection;

• Diagnostic testing;

• Anesthesia;

• Radiographs of the hips, elbows, and lumbar spine; and

• Other testing determined necessary by the evaluating veterinarian.

Laboratory availability may affect the specific tests performed. The minimum laboratory database may include a complete blood count with chemistry panel, urinalysis, and vector-borne disease panel.

If medical abnormalities require additional assessment, the veterinarian may order further testing or determine that the canine is unacceptable.

3.6.6 Medical Evaluation Factors

CBP will evaluate, at a minimum, the following areas:

Gait. Canines must demonstrate normal mobility at walk, trot, canter, and gallop, on and off leash. Any gait abnormality that could affect working ability is disqualifying.

Skin and coat. Skin and coat must be healthy, without evidence of chronic dermatitis, allergies, infection, injury, or marked infestation by external parasites. Poor coat condition may raise concerns about overall health.

Teeth and jaws. Canines must have normal dentition and occlusion. Severe overshot or undershot jaws, missing or structurally compromised canine teeth, oral infection, severe periodontal disease, excessively worn teeth, or fractured teeth with pulp exposure may be disqualifying.

Heart and lungs. Cardiovascular and respiratory systems must be normal at rest and during exercise. Heart murmurs, arrhythmias, and current heartworm disease are disqualifying.

Limbs and joints. Conditions that may limit normal performance are disqualifying, including hip or elbow dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, significant fracture-related changes, lameness, ligament damage, osteoarthritis, and certain spinal or pelvic abnormalities.

Nervous system and basic senses. Defects affecting the nervous system, vision, hearing, or sense of smell are disqualifying. Examples include corneal opacities, eyelid deformities, cataracts, retinal degeneration, chronic otitis, chronic rhinitis or sinusitis, and spinal disease.

Heartworms. Canines must be free of heartworm infection. CBP will determine heartworm status using a heartworm antigen test. A negative microfilaria, concentration, filtration, or Knott’s test alone is insufficient to establish that a canine is heartworm-free.

Internal and external parasites. Intestinal and external parasites may not independently disqualify a canine, depending on severity and the canine’s condition. However, parasite presence may indicate inadequate care and raise concerns about the canine’s general health.

Immunization. Canines must have received vaccinations within the previous 12 months for rabies, canine distemper, canine adenovirus Type 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and leptospirosis.

A rabies certificate bearing individual canine identification must be provided. CBP may require other vaccinations based on current veterinary requirements.

Reproductive and urinary systems. Congenital or conformational abnormalities requiring long-term treatment or likely to shorten the canine’s working life are disqualifying. Cryptorchidism is not disqualifying unless it causes complications that cannot be resolved through simple orchiectomy.

Socialization for medical examination. Canines must be sufficiently socialized to permit safe and complete medical examination. Canines that cannot be properly examined due to poor socialization may be rejected.

3.6.7 Examples of Common Medically Disqualifying Conditions

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Signs of contagious or severe disease;

• Laboratory abnormalities consistent with severe parasitism, metabolic disease, or infection;

• Emaciation or obesity;

• Severe periodontal disease or fractured teeth with pulp exposure;

• Severe, chronic, non-resolving, or intractable otitis externa or dermatitis;

• Hip or elbow dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, joint instability, or musculoskeletal injury likely to impair future work;

• Significant lumbar spine degeneration, transitional vertebrae, or asymmetric pelvic attachment when determined disqualifying by CBP; and

• Other conditions determined by CBP to impair the canine’s ability to train or perform safely.

3.6.8 Medical Representation

A canine medically disqualified after prior presentation may not be resubmitted unless the vendor documents that the disqualifying condition has been corrected.

The vendor shall submit a representation request to CBP before delivery and provide relevant medical records, test results, and supporting documentation. CBP may request additional documentation. Approval to re-present a medically disqualified canine is solely at CBP’s discretion.

4. Behavioral Requirements: Single-Purpose Detector Canines

4.1 General Standard

A potential detector canine is one that has not been trained to detect a specific odor. The canine must exhibit an intense desire to play with objects, stable character, confidence on varied surfaces, willingness to negotiate obstacles, and a strong preference for objects over food, water, or handler attention.

No command will be given to cause the canine to retrieve an object during evaluation.

4.2 Stable Character

The canine will be evaluated around people and in varying environments. The canine must not display fear or aggression toward people who approach it and should demonstrate a social, confident demeanor.

The evaluation may include:

• Smooth or slick flooring;

• Sudden opening of an umbrella near the canine;

• Loud gunfire from behind the canine;

• Confined spaces;

• Moving vehicles;

• Vehicle searches with an engine running; and

• Other conditions determined appropriate by the Government.

A brief startled reaction may be acceptable if the canine recovers quickly and resumes confident behavior.

4.3 Retrieval and Prey Drive

The canine will be evaluated on its willingness to pursue familiar and unfamiliar hard and soft objects, including objects thrown uphill and out of sight. The evaluation assesses the canine’s:

• Alertness: Undistracted interest in the object and strong engagement before release;

• Speed: Intense physical effort to reach the object’s location;

• Hunt: Effective use of olfactory ability to locate the object; and

• Grab: Immediate possession of the object and evident desire to play with it.

CBP may require retrieval on elevated or unstable surfaces, such as a moving conveyor belt.

4.4 Perseverance

The canine may be pre-stimulated with an object that is then placed under a heavy or obstructive item. The canine must demonstrate sufficient drive and problem-solving persistence to obtain the object. Desired behavior includes vigorous biting, scratching, digging, or a fixed and sustained indication at the object’s location.

4.5 Water, Food, and Handler/Object Conflict

The canine will be evaluated for its ability to prioritize the object over competing distractions, including water, food, and the absence of the handler. Desired behavior is direct pursuit of the object without stopping to drink, eat, or disengage because the handler is out of sight.

4.6 Hunt Drive

The canine may be directed to locate an object thrown deep into grass or brush. The canine must push through cover with strong physical effort, conduct an intense and focused olfactory search, and sustain the search for an extended period, generally four to five minutes, without handler assistance. Upon locating the object, the canine should immediately possess it and demonstrate satisfaction in playing with it.

4.7 On-Line Search

The canine may be directed through a systematic search of shelves, vehicles, buildings, or other areas, including locations above waist height. The canine must follow handler direction and demonstrate effective use of olfactory ability to locate a hidden object. Upon reaching the object, the canine should quickly recognize its odor and demonstrate a focused desire to obtain it.

4.8 Temperament and Genetic Drives

Throughout selection, the canine must demonstrate the temperament and genetic drives necessary to work in a CBP environment, including:

• Socialization: Ability to work around groups of people without fear, distraction, or aggression;

• Courage and confidence: Ability to function without fear or distraction in uncertain footing, confined spaces, moving vehicles, loud noise environments, around other animals and odors, and during unexpected events;

• Hunt drive: Desire to search for thrown objects using all senses;

• Air-scent drive: Desire to use olfactory ability to locate hidden or thrown objects;

• Prey drive: Desire to chase, pick up, and play with objects;

• Retrieve drive: Desire to return objects to the handler;

• Activity: Abundant energy and willingness to remain actively engaged; and

• Trainability: Willingness to follow handler direction in a positive manner.

5. Quality Assurance and Warranty

5.1 If, within six months after Government acceptance, CBP determines that a canine has a pre-existing medical condition, chronic disease, hereditary deficiency, unacceptable aggressive behavior, or obsessive-compulsive behavior that interferes with safe and appropriate training or work, the Contractor shall retrieve the canine within seven working days after notice.

5.2 The Contractor shall provide a replacement canine within 30 calendar days after notice that replacement is required.

5.3 Retrieval and replacement under this warranty shall be at no expense to the Government.

6. Access Requirements

6.1 The Contractor and all personnel traveling to either center to present or deliver canines are subject to CBP short-term vetting.

6.2 The Contractor shall submit the information required by Canine Vendor CBP Short-Term Contractors Form, to the COR at least 30 calendar days before the scheduled delivery date.

6.3 Failure to submit the required information may result in denial of entry to centers.

6.4 Upon CBP approval of the vetting process, the COR will issue an Access Memorandum valid for 90 days. The Contractor shall present the memorandum to Visitors’ Center personnel when requesting an access pass to travel to the centers.

6.5 If CBP determines that the Contractor or any of its personnel are unsuitable for access to the centers, CBP may deny entry. The Contractor remains responsible for making alternate delivery arrangements acceptable to CBP.

(END OF DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK)