2.3.1-RFQ 20155314 Attachment #6 Q&A.pdf

RFQ 70B03C26Q00000008 – Kenneling Services (LAX/LALB) Offeror Questions & Government Responses

Note: These answers are provided for informational purposes only. They do not change the terms or conditions of the solicitation unless and until formally incorporated via a written amendment.

Question 1 – Kenneling duration Is there an anticipated maximum length of time that CBP canines will stay at the kennel, or any historical data on typical lengths of stay?

Answer 1:

The duration that any CBP canine remains kenneled at the facility will vary based on operational needs and is not fixed by the contract. Kenneling may occur for short periods (e.g., overnight, several days) or longer intervals, depending on mission requirements and kennel availability. The Government does not guarantee a specific average or maximum length of stay for individual canines and is not providing historical utilization data as part of this solicitation.

Question 2 – Incumbent information Is there a current or previous contractor for these services, and if so, can the Government provide the prior contract number, value, and period of performance?

Answer 2:

This RFQ is being conducted as a new competitive procurement under Notice ID 70B03C26Q00000008. To the extent there are or were prior or related contracts for kenneling services, those awards (including contract numbers, values, and periods of performance) are available via public reporting tools (e.g., FPDS, USASpending). CBP is not providing additional incumbent-specific information within this Q&A; offerors should base their proposals on the current RFQ and Statement of Work.

Question 3 – Changes from any prior scope Is the scope of work for this solicitation the same as any previous kenneling services contract the Government may have used?

Answer 3:

The Statement of Work (SOW) in this RFQ reflects CBP’s current operational, facility, and performance requirements. Offerors should rely solely on the SOW and other solicitation documents posted with this RFQ. Any prior contracts may have had similar elements, but the current SOW governs this procurement and may differ in specific requirements (e.g., capacity, timelines, deliverables, and facility standards).

Question 4 – Brand-new requirement vs. follow-on Is this requirement considered a brand-new procurement, or a follow-on to previous kenneling services? Will the Government provide any additional details on prior awards?

Answer 4:

This RFQ is being conducted as a new competitive procurement for kenneling services under Notice ID 70B03C26Q00000008. To the extent there are or were prior or related contractual actions, any contract-identifying information is available through public government contract reporting tools (e.g., FPDS, USASpending). CBP is not providing additional incumbent or prior-award details within this Q&A; offerors should base their proposals on the current RFQ and SOW.

Question 5 – Minimum proposal contents Beyond the RFQ form and the pricing form, what constitutes a complete and compliant proposal for this solicitation?

Answer 5:

Offerors must submit all information required by the solicitation, not just the RFQ form and Price Quote Form. At a minimum, a complete proposal must include:

• Completed RFQ/SF-18 (Attachment 2) and any required representations/certifications not already provided via SAM.

• Pricing using the Kennel Price Quote Form (Attachment 3) (firm-fixed per-dog, per-day rates for all periods).

• A Technical Capability Statement addressing all SOW requirements, including:

o Kennel facilities description (floor plans; security; video surveillance;

fencing; climate control/ventilation; backup power).

o Operations plan (daily care; fixed feeding schedule; sanitation/deep cleaning; emergency handling; 24/7 access/retrieval process).

o Security and emergency response (escaped dog plan; access controls;

prevention of unauthorized entry).

o Regulatory compliance (Animal Welfare Act; applicable federal, state, and local kennel licensing/permits).

o Employee background checks and staffing approach.

o Facility location evidence (within the 5-mile radius and retrieval timelines).

• Deliverables required at proposal submission as listed in SOW Section 5.1 (e.g., facilities description, operations plan, security/emergency response plan, regulatory compliance documentation, potable water certification, employee education plan, escaped dog plan, animal injury/illness protocols, bathing utility statement).

Offerors are responsible for reviewing the RFQ, SOW, and all attachments to ensure a complete and compliant submission.

Question 6 – Use of a preferred veterinarian May an offeror propose to use a specific veterinarian (for example, a USDA-licensed veterinarian who already services the facility) to provide veterinary services for CBP dogs under the contract?

Answer 6:

The contractor is responsible for arranging veterinary services for CBP canines only as directed or authorized by the Government and in accordance with the SOW and applicable task orders. The Government does not designate or endorse specific veterinarians for contractor use.

The contractor may propose to use a USDA-licensed veterinarian as part of its technical approach, provided that:

• All services comply with the SOW and applicable federal, state, and local requirements; and

• Any veterinary services funded under this contract are pre-authorized by CBP as required by the SOW (e.g., Task 4, Health, Isolation, Bathing, and Medications).

Selection and management of veterinarians and any other subcontractors remain the contractor’s responsibility, subject to the requirements of the contract.

Question 7 – Facility readiness and move-in timing Does the contractor need to have the facility fully ready to receive CBP dogs by the start of the ordering period (January 29, 2026), and is the Government guaranteeing that dogs will be placed at the facility on that date?

Answer 7:

The IDIQ ordering period is January 29, 2026 through January 28, 2031. The actual date on which CBP canines begin occupying the awarded facility will be established by the Government through the initial task order(s).

Before any CBP canines are kenneled under this contract, the contractor’s facility must:

• Meet all facility, separation, and airflow requirements in the SOW; and

• Be fully ready to safely receive and house CBP canines in accordance with the contract.

Offerors should assume that the Government may require performance, including the ability to receive CBP dogs, as of the beginning of the ordering period and should plan any facility modifications accordingly. The Government does not guarantee that canines will be placed at the facility on a specific calendar date, but the contractor must be prepared to begin performance in accordance with any task orders issued on or after the start of the ordering period.

Question 8 – Pricing and facility buildouts If an offeror chooses to invest in facility upgrades (e.g., additional isolation or airflow systems) that are not separately reimbursed, may those costs be included in the daily rate even if that results in a total evaluated price near the stated maximum contract amount?

Answer 8:

As stated in the SOW, the Government will not separately reimburse the contractor for any construction, remodeling, or other capital improvements to the facility. Offerors must factor all costs necessary to meet the SOW (including any voluntary buildouts) into their firm-fixed daily rates and any other proposed pricing.

For this RFQ:

• The Government will evaluate price for fairness, reasonableness, and unbalanced pricing using the estimated quantities and the maximum contract amount identified in the RFQ.

• There is no automatic disqualification solely because an offeror’s evaluated total price is at or near the maximum contract amount; however, pricing must still be fair and reasonable and not materially unbalanced, based on the Government’s evaluation.

The Government cannot pre-judge or comment on the acceptability of any specific proposed price in advance of the formal evaluation. Offerors are responsible for proposing pricing that is both competitive and sufficient to cover all costs needed to meet the SOW.

Question 9 – Readiness if dogs are not immediately ordered If CBP does not place canines at the facility on the first day of the ordering period, does that affect the contractor’s obligation to be ready to perform?

Answer 9:

The contract is an IDIQ with a defined ordering period, not a guarantee of a specific move-in date or usage level. The contractor must be ready to perform (i.e., able to receive and care for CBP canines in full compliance with the SOW) as of the date(s) specified in the contract and any resulting task order(s), even if canines are not physically placed at the facility on January 29, 2026. Actual ordering and utilization will be at the Government’s discretion, within the minimum guarantee and maximum contract amount established in the contract.

Question 10 – Separate reimbursement for upgrades Will the Government reimburse separately for any facility upgrades, construction, or specialized isolation buildouts that an offeror proposes to enhance the kenneling environment beyond the minimum SOW requirements?

Answer 10:

No. The Government will not separately reimburse for construction, remodeling, or other capital improvements to the contractor’s facility. As stated in the SOW, any such upgrades are at the contractor’s discretion and expense. All costs associated with meeting or exceeding the SOW requirements must be included in the offeror’s firm-fixed pricing (e.g., per-dog, per-day rates and any other CLINs the Government includes).