PR20111700_-_SOW.doc

STATEMENT OF

REQUIRED KENNELING SERVICES

for the Port of Charlotte, North Carolina

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this procurement is to secure commercial kennel facilities and services that will most effectively support the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Canine Enforcement Program and the mission of CBP.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The contractor(s) shall provide all of the labor, materials, supervision, and facilities necessary to satisfy the kenneling requirements identified herein for the CBP Canine Enforcement Program. The number of canines to be kenneled is currently one. The number of canines is subject to change according to the demands of their service. The canines’ work address is:

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport 5501 Josh Birmingham Hwy, Charlotte, NC 28208 A Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be appointed to monitor contractor performance and coordinate technical and administrative matters with the Contracting Officer and will be identified in the contract. The COR may conduct semi-annual reviews and/or additional unannounced reviews as needed. In those areas that do not have a COR, a technically qualified canine officer should have oversight of the kennel contract. The COR or technically qualified canine officer shall conduct a semi-annual review and provide a brief report to the Contracting Officer after each review. The technically qualified canine officer for this requirement is:

Sean Forinash - Customs and Border Protection Supervisor

(704) 634-5845 The primary purpose of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) canines is to utilize their extensive training to locate illegal contraband before it enters the United States. These canines are typically of the sport variety and may weigh between 20 and 90 pounds dependent upon the breed and working expertise of the canine. Absent very unique circumstances, no CBP canine will be younger than one year old. The canines work 8-16 hours a day, often in high stress situations; therefore, it is important for these canines to rest while they are in the kennel facility.

FACILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The contractor shall ensure that only authorized kennel personnel have access to the CBP canines. Access to and contact with CBP canines by the general public and other animals including, but not limited to, privately kenneled animals is strictly prohibited at all times. The contractor shall ensure the kennel personnel do not identify or point out to anyone the identity and location/runs of CBP canines. At no time should information regarding CBP canines be disseminated to anyone other than CBP CEOs or CBP management.

The kennel facilities must be situated in a location that will be quiet and secure from the public. The facility must provide an environment conducive to the canines obtaining adequate rest. Audible and visual distractions are considered detrimental. These are extremely important requirements that are necessary in order to maximize the actual work hours of the canines, and to not diminish their effectiveness.

Regardless of the kennel type, only one canine shall be in each kennel run at any one time. Depending on the facility layout, it may be necessary for CBP to rent an empty “buffer” run to separate CBP canines from privately kenneled animals. If a buffer kennel is rented, it shall remain empty at all times. Regardless of the circumstances, CBP canines cannot be placed in shipping crates or wire cages at any time.

The facility must maintain a Certificate of Insurance and Worker’s Compensation information must be posted and in view of all employees and visitors.

ACCESS:

All canine officers will require 24-hour access to the portion of the kennel facility used to kennel the CBP canines. All kenneled canines must be accessible and retrievable for duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Regardless of the time of day, a Canine Enforcement Officer (CEO) must be able to retrieve their assigned canine within 10 minutes of their arrival at the kennel. To meet this requirement, the contractor shall provide each CEO with the necessary means of access (e.g. keys) to independently retrieve their canines.

Under no circumstances should a member of the public, or any other unauthorized person, have access to the CBP canines. If keyed door locks or padlocks are used for after hours’ security, the contractor will provide a key(s) to each assigned Canine Enforcement Officer. All entry/exit points will be locked after hours or when unattended. All dog runs shall be secured.

PARKING:

The contractor shall have available parking spaces on facility grounds to accommodate government-owned vehicles of CBP personnel who are on duty or who are working with the dogs. Sufficient parking and a safe, well-lit area to load and unload dogs are required. Twenty-four hour access to the parking area is required. All parking spaces must be of adequate length and width to allow for maneuvering and traffic.

LIGHTING:

The kennel compound, kennel runs, and parking lot will be sufficiently lighted to provide security and to allow for safe nighttime activity in removing or returning canines to their kennel runs. All accessible areas will be lit either by motion sensors or permanent lighting.

LOCATION:

The kennel shall be located within a 10-mile driving distance from the worksite and shall be located within the United States. Google maps will be used to determine the driving distance during quote evaluations.

KENNEL CONSTRUCTION:

The government will not reimburse the contractor for any construction or remodeling.

FLOOR AND DOG RUNS:

The kennel building shall be constructed with concrete foundations and sub floors. Kennel run floors will be constructed of a sealed, non-skid surface (i.e. concrete or tile is acceptable). Run floors will be sloped and constructed to allow for adequate draining to flush stools and urine from the kennel run. Pooling of liquid is not permitted. Other floors and pathways should be on a non-skid surface for adequate drainage.

Kennel runs must be indoor/outdoor runs as they are more secure, have less external stimuli and provide significantly more protection from the elements. A guillotine type drop door is permissible for the indoor/outdoor runs. All kennel runs shall be disinfected with veterinary approved chemicals (See SANITATION). Kennel runs will be of adequate shape and size to comfortably accommodate the specific canine. No dimension of the kennel run shall be less than three feet.

Each run must contain a raised platform for the dog to sleep. Toys are not permitted in the kennel runs. The only items permitted in the runs are the non-purpose dog bed, water bucket and feed dish.

KENNEL RUN BARRIERS:

If kennel runs use a common barrier to separate adjacent runs, the barrier shall be from the floor to the fencing or canopy top to prevent cross contamination between runs. The barrier must consist of a solid or composite wall at least three feet in height from the floor. The remainder of the barrier shall either be a solid wall or wire mesh fence fabric.

Kennel runs shall be covered with a canopy that provides shade during all daylight hours. All kennel runs shall have secured chain link tops to prevent the dog from jumping or climbing out.

FENCING AND GATES:

Kennel facilities shall have double gates/doors that require entrance through two secure gates/doors to enter/exit the facility and grounds. All fencing fabric must be of a sturdy, professional-grade wire mesh. The fabric height from ground to top of fence shall be between 6’and 8’ at all locations. To restrict access to the kennel, no fence will be located so that the features of land (its topography) or structures allow passage over, around, or under the fence. The fence shall be kept in good repair at all times.

Access gates to each run and sleeping area will have a positive latching system to prevent accidental escape.

VENTIILATION:

The kennel facility and runs shall have fresh air either through windows, doors, vents or air conditioning. The minimum air temperature shall not be less than 50 degrees F. The maximum air temperature shall not be more than 90 degrees F.

PERSONNEL:

If required by the state, the kennel manager must be certified to manage a kennel facility. If the kennel management or ownership changes or is replaced, the contractor will provide notification to the COR immediately.

STAFFING HOURS:

The kennel facility shall be staffed continuously, on site, by at least one employee, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., seven days a week. These hours are the active dog hours for the CBP canines. This presence will ensure that the requirement for ill canines (HEALTH) and the requirement for stool removal (SANITATION) will be met during these active dog hours.

SANITATION:

In addition to providing suitable space for the canines, the contractor shall ensure that the kennel, access buildings, break areas, and curtilage are kept clean. At all times the entire kennel site shall be kept in a condition that will not pose a danger to the canines or the CEOs. The kennel site shall be kept in an acceptable sanitary condition.

The compound area where the kennels are located shall be free of all refuse, garbage, trash, and debris. Seeded areas within the compound shall be maintained and kept free of brush and tall vegetation that could pose a health hazard to the dogs, handlers, or other individuals entering the premises.

Kennel runs and sleeping areas shall be disinfected at least every four (4) calendar days with a veterinarian approved disinfectant solution and shall be rodent and pest free. Kennel runs shall be washed and stools shall be removed from the runs as often as necessary. Stools, urine and waste dog food shall not be allowed to remain in a run for more than one (1) hour during required staffing hours. All stools shall be removed within one (1) hour after the facility opens for business or no later than 9:00 a.m. on days when the kennel is not regularly open for business.

All chemicals shall be stored away from any food items, capped and in the original labeled containers. Chemicals not in the original container shall be clearly marked. All disinfectants used for cleaning shall have the approvals of the Environmental Protection Agency or the State.

Kennel personnel shall clean food and water utensils every day with hot soapy water. Kennel personnel shall clean utensils used in preparation of food immediately after each food preparation period. Stainless steel feed and waters pans shall be used. Empty dog food bags shall be removed and disposed of in a covered container. All food shall be stored in a covered, rodent proof storage container. If the water supply comes from an underground well, it must be tested and approved from human consumption (potable). The kennel shall have potable hot and cold running water. CEOs shall have 24-hour access to the potable hot and cold running water. Self-waterers will not be permitted.

When CBP canines are in the break areas, the area shall be kept free of all toys or rawhide. When a CBP canine breaks, there shall be only one dog per “break area.” No privately boarded canine shall break at the same time in the same area as CBP canines. Break areas shall be kept clean. Stools and waste shall be removed promptly.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION:

CBP shall provide all food and the contractor shall provide all supplies and equipment necessary for feeding. This includes items such as stainless steel feed and water pans and cleaning/disinfectant supplies and equipment. Feeding rations will be provided by CBP upon contract award.

The kennel will administer government provided heartworm and hookworm medication to the canine(s) on a semi-annual basis.

The contractor shall provide a refrigerator for special diets and medications. Medication will be properly labeled and stored in the refrigerator, if necessary.

The kennel and surrounding areas shall be treated to prevent infestation of fleas and ticks. These areas shall be treated on a semi-annual basis, at a minimum.

CBP will be responsible for bathing the canine(s). The contractor’s facility shall have a bathing utility to bathe the canines. CBP will coordinate bathing of all canines to fit the contractor’s bathing routine.

The contractor shall ensure that the CBP canine(s) are not kenneled in the same room with any animals that quarantines or are under medical treatment. The kennel must have an isolation area to accommodate those animals currently under quarantine or medical treatments. The contractor will ensure that ill CBP canines will be kenneled and in a different room from other ill privately boarded dogs.

The kennel shall have OSHA, Red Cross or state approved First Aid Kits for personnel and animals. The contractor shall have written procedures to educate employees on how to handle animal related injuries.

When a CBP canine requires medication and the assigned CEO is off-duty, the CEO shall make arrangements with the kennel personnel to administer the CBP provided medication to the canine as prescribed.

The contractor shall observe the appearance and activity of the dogs for signs of illness, wounds, disease and discontent. The contractor shall specifically watch for signs of injury or other changes in the canines’ physical condition. The facility shall maintain a written plan to educate all employees on how to handle animal related injuries.

In the event a CBP owned animal is injured or becomes ill, the contractor will contact the canine supervisor immediately. During the required staffing hours this contact shall be made within one hour of determining that the canine is injured or ill. If he/she is unavailable, contact the COR or the CEO. If it is an emergency, and a canine supervisor cannot be contacted, the contractor will take the ill or injured canine to the pre-designated veterinarian. The name and contact information of the authorized veterinarian will be provided by CBP after contract award. The contact names, titles, and phone numbers of all canine personnel will be provided after contract award.

In the unlikely event a CBP canine passes away, CBP personnel will take possession of the dog and dispose of the remains at an off-site location. No CBO canines shall be buried or disposed of by kennel personnel.

SAFETY:

The contractor shall have in place a plan for emergency procedures. A copy of the local fire evacuation plan shall be posted in the area kenneling the CBP canine(s). The contractor will provide fire extinguishers on site to extinguish common construction materials and/or electrical fires. The contractor will ensure that the fire extinguishers are inspected and maintained in accordance with the local/state/federal fire regulations. The contractor shall have business insurance as required by the appropriate state and local governments and municipalities.

The contractor shall have a written plan for handling the “escaped dog” scenario. The plan shall define what steps are taken to notify the owner, advertise in local publications, etc.

SCHEDULE:

On days the canine remains at the kennel (non-working days) the kennel personnel shall be responsible for feeding the canine(s) in accordance with the feeding schedule provided upon contract award. The kennel personnel will also be responsible for any feedings prior to noon on working days. The CEO will be responsible for all other feedings unless otherwise instructed by the CEO or COR or those canines under a veterinarian’s care.

RECORDS:

Kennel personnel and the CEO shall complete the Food & Stool Chart on a daily basis. The CEO has the responsibility and is accountable to ensure the Food & Stool Chart is completed each day. The Chart will be provided separately by the COR after contract award.

The contractor will keep a record of all CBP canines kenneled at the facility during each 30-day/monthly billing cycle.

The invoice clause is in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.247.28, Contractor’s Invoices. In addition to the requirement of the clause, you are required to submit an invoice both to the COR and Contracting Officer for approval at the end of each month. The following information should be included in each invoice: Vendor name and address, purchase order number, invoice number, invoice date, period of service, and grand total of all items.