Attachment 1 - SOW Dog Procurement - Detection FY25.pdf

SINGLE PURPOSE DETECTION CANINES- STATEMENT OF WORK

FY 25

1. SCOPE OF WORK

1.1. The contractor shall provide to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) canines that are suitable for training in accordance with the SOW. The delivery location is at the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy (BPK9) located at 11617 Iron Soldiers Way, El Paso, Texas, 79916.

1.2. CBP has the option to procure additional canines from the Request for Quote (RFQ) stated quantity, based on availability of funds.

1.3. CBP has one Canine Academy at two locations. If a canine presented at the Field Operations Canine Academy in Front Royal, VA or U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy in El Paso, Texas, fails the performance part of the selection testing, the vendor would be able to re-present the canine at either Academies with the written approval from the respective Academy. Vendor is allowed a total of 3 separate instances of representation during the current fiscal year for dogs that have failed performance. The 3 instances do not apply to the same dog and do not roll over to the next fiscal year.

1.3.1. Vendor will submit an email to the Contracting Officer Representative

(COR) at least 10 business days or more before the planned presentation.

1.3.2. The email will contain the dog’s name, microchip number, initial presentation date and location, and the vendor’s reasoning for requesting the representation.

1.3.3. The final approval or disapproval of the request is at the Academy’s discretion and is not appealable.

1.3.4. The instances of representations in the above paragraphs do not include the medical representation of a canine. The medical representation requests are addressed in paragraph 3.6.1.9 .

2. CBP and CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1. Upon notice to proceed, the Contractor is required to present their canines no-later-than 60 calendar days from the award notification by the Contracting Officer. U.S.

Border Patrol Canine Academy (BPK9) can handle two vendors per week;

appointments will be made on a first come, first served basis. If canines are not presented within the 60 days, contractors may have their orders canceled.

2.2. If the contract is not fulfilled during the initial canine presentation, the contractor has 60 calendar days after each receipt of notification to complete the order. After 150 calendar days of award notification, CBP reserves the right to terminate any outstanding portion(s) of the order, per FAR Clause FAR 52.212-4. Vendors whose orders (or any outstanding parts of the order) have been terminated will not be eligible to re-compete for the same orders.

2.3. Any canine(s) that fails to pass the requirements or physical evaluation performed by CBP will not be accepted; the contractor will bear all expenses associated with the return of the canine to the contractor’s site within 7-days after receiving notification of non-acceptance.

2.4. CBP will be responsible for the care and feeding of the canine(s) up to the 7th day; after such date, unless other arrangements have been made (the request MUST be sent in writing to the COR) the vendor will be issued an invoice to cover the expenses incurred by CBP (rates will be based on standard commercial practices). If the canine is not picked up within 30 calendar days from the notification of non-acceptance, the canine will become CBP property; care and disposition will be at CBP’s discretion.

2.5. The contractor is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs associated with the shipment and retrieval of the canine(s).

2.6. CBP shall make final determinations as to the acceptability/unacceptability of canines.

2.7. Upon completion of selection testing, the vendor will be afforded the opportunity for an out brief on the failed canine(s). This out brief will consist of basic information on why canine(s) failed (i.e., lack of hunt drive, stable character issues, etc.).

2.8. The contractor shall not make CBP responsible for the disposition of a medically failed defective canine(s).

2.9. CBP’s purchase process is typically carried out in three separate phases: Pre- Screening, Medical, and Behavioral Evaluations. A candidate canine must pass all three phases before CBP takes ownership. The medical and behavioral evaluations of the canines after the selection testing may take up to 2 days. CBP has 15 business days after selection testing to complete this process (this does not include holidays and weekends).

Consignment Process: All the canine’s behavioral and medical evaluations take place while the canine is consigned to CBP at CBP-specified location. The contractor shall be responsible for paying transportation costs for all canines submitted to the CBP Canine Program for the evaluation process. Delivery expenses are included in the agreed upon contract price per canine and cannot be negotiated.

2.10. Payment will be initiated after field testing is completed and medical tests have cleared. Invoices will be processed after bloodwork and field-testing results are received, 15 business days after the selection date.

2.11. Any canine that does not receive a negative result for a zoonotic disease (such as canine brucellosis) will be returned without a represent. Additionally, all canines presented with the non-negative tested canine(s) will be returned, without a represent, even if their test(s) were negative. CBP recommends vendors consider Brucella testing for dogs prior to deliveries. CBP’s testing and results conducted during the evaluation period are the only official results that will be used during medical screening. Any decisions based on these results are final.

2.12. BPK9 offers and recommends vendors pre-board their canines a day prior to selection testing. If a vendor coordinates for pre-boarding, boarding must be accomplished no earlier than 8 am and no later than 1230 pm the day prior to selection testing. If a vendor chooses to not pre-board, canines must be at BPK9 no later than 7 am on the day of the scheduled selection testing to begin initial medical evaluation and chip identification verification. No canine transactions will occur on the weekends, and BPK9 does not conduct selection testing on Mondays and Fridays.

3. Canine Acceptance Criteria:

3.1. The canines shall be one of the following breeds: German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and Belgian Malinois, Tervuren, or other working or herding breeds with prior approval by the selecting office.

3.2. Age. Canines must have a documented age of at least 12 months, but not more than 36 months of age, at time of the evaluation.

3.3. Weight. A preferred healthy weight between 16 to 25% of body fat, a preferred score of 3-7 on the Body Condition Score. Please see Attachment 1.

3.4. Height. Must represent the average standard of the breed.

3.5. Sex. Males and females are acceptable. Should a female be in “heat” at time of evaluation, her evaluation may be attempted at the discretion of the evaluation team, if it does not affect evaluation of other canines at the site.

3.6. Medical. All canines must be in excellent health with no acute or chronic disease or condition, which could either hamper their ability to perform, or would be excessively costly to treat. At the time of evaluation, each animal must be medically able to enter training. The cost of medical examinations performed by private veterinarians is not reimbursed by the government.

Prior to delivering canines, vendors must submit quality radiographs of hips and elbows, to CBP for nonbinding evaluation of elbow and hip conformation. This may help the vendor determine whether to present the canine for evaluation. Minimum data imprinted (“flashed”) permanently on the radiograph at the time of exposure will include canine identification (name, tattoo/brand number, and/or microchip number), whelping date (or age at time of radiographic examination), and date of examination.

3.6.1. The following documentation shall accompany the canine at the time of delivery:

3.6.1.1. Current health and rabies certificate administered by a licensed veterinarian will address the items listed below.

3.6.1.2. Current vaccination records. See Paragraph 3.6.1.9 below.

3.6.1.3. Current X-rays/radiographs (obtained less than sixty (60) days from the date of delivery) of the pelvis and hip area and the elbows of each forelimb in accordance with Paragraph 3.6.1.9 below.

3.6.1.4. Pedigrees, registration certificates, scorebooks, breed surveys and other proof of lineage or related paperwork if applicable.

3.6.1.5. To ensure proper identification, all canines must have a readable microchip implanted, easily read by CBP, when presented for selection. The microchip must match accompanying certificates, records, and delivery log. The canines will not be evaluated if such a chip is not present at the time of reading or does not match the accompanying certificates or records.

3.6.1.6. All canines submitted for evaluation must have flat leather or nylon collars with the canines’ name and procurement number (award number or purchase request (PR) number) affixed to the collars. The collars must be strong enough to restrain the canines.

3.6.1.7. Upon arrival at the designated training site, veterinary officers assigned to the CBP or private veterinary facility will examine all canines that have passed the initial selection process. This evaluation will include complete physical examination; collection of blood, urine, and fecal samples for routine testing; and anesthesia and radiographs of the hips, elbows, and lumbar spine (low back). Laboratory availability may affect the evaluation team’s ability to perform specific tests. However, the laboratory minimum database may include, but is not limited to, CBC with chemistry panel, complete urine analysis, and vector borne disease panel.

3.6.1.8. The veterinarian will assess abnormalities to determine the presence of acute or chronic disease processes that may have long-term medical care implications for the canine. If further evaluation is warranted, tests may be completed at the discretion of the veterinarian, or the canine may be deemed unacceptable.

3.6.1.9. The following areas will be evaluated. Most, but not all, disqualifying features are noted.

NOTE: A canine that has been presented once for consideration for purchase and that has been disqualified for medical reasons may not be resubmitted for consideration unless the vendor can document that the medically disqualifying condition has been corrected. The request to represent should be submitted to CBP prior to delivery of the canine in question and should be accompanied by medical records of the canine, test results and other information or documentation the vendor sees fit to submit.

In addition, the veterinarian can request the vendor to submit specific documentation related to the reason the canine is being represented. The decision to allow representation is solely at the discretion of CBP.

1) Gait. All canines must display normal mobility during all three phases of movement, walk, trop, canter, gallop, on and off leash. Canine conformation should represent what is normal for the breed. Some breed abnormalities can be accepted, as long as they do not interfere with the canine’s ability to work or cause stress on joints.

2) Skin and Coat. Skin and coat must be healthy in appearance, displaying no evidence of chronic dermatitis, allergies, infections, injuries or marked external parasite infestation (e.g., ticks, mange, fleas, etc.). A matted, unkempt hair-coat may not be grounds for disqualification but will raise concerns about the canine’s general health.

3) Teeth and Jaws. Canines will have normal dentition and dental occlusion.

An overshot or undershot jaws may be a disqualifier based on severity. All four canine teeth should be present and must not be weakened by notching, enamel hypoplasia or abnormal, excessive wear. Canines that display oral infection/periodontal disease, excessively worn teeth, or fractured teeth with pulp exposure will be medically failed.

4) Heart and Lungs. Heart sounds, rate and rhythm must be normal (e.g., no murmurs, arrhythmia, etc.). In general, the cardiovascular and respiratory system must be normal at rest and upon exercise. Current heartworm disease is disqualifying.

5) Limbs and Joints. Any condition of the bones, joints or muscles that might hamper or restrict the normal performance of duty is grounds for disqualification. Examples include:

a. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. A malformation of the hip and elbow joints, respectively, which usually results in degenerative joint disease, arthritis, and chronic lameness. Radiographic evidence of hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia or degenerative joint disease, as determined by veterinarians assigned to the CBP or private veterinary facility, is disqualifying.

b. Fractures, which are unhealed, are disqualifying. Healed fractures resulting in significant bone or joint conformation changes, or lameness are disqualifying.

c. Ligament damage, osteoarthritis, etc., of the limb joints is disqualifying.

d. Transitional vertebrae of the caudal lumbar spine, lumbosacral junction or sacrum may be disqualifying. Asymmetric pelvic attachment is also disqualifying.

6) Nervous System and Basic Senses. Any defect in the nervous system, to include the basic senses of vision, hearing and sense of smell, is disqualifying.

Examples include, but are not limited to, opacities of the cornea, eyelid deformities, cataracts, retinal degeneration, chronic otitis, acute or chronic rhinitis/sinusitis and spinal disease.

7) Heartworms. All canines submitted for selection must be free of heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis). The presence of heartworm infection will be determined by using a heartworm antigen test. A negative heartworm microfilaria test is not sufficient evidence to declare the animal heartworm-free.

BPK9 highly recommends that vendors administer heartworm preventative medication to the presented canines and test the canines for the heartworm antigen to determine if the canines are infected with heartworm.

8) Intestinal Parasitism. Infection with intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, etc.) may not, in and of itself be disqualifying, depending on the level of infection and the overall condition of the animal.

Presence of intestinal parasites is, however, an indication of poor care and will raise concerns about the canine’s general health.

9) External Parasitism. Presence of fleas, ticks, lice or mange mites may not, in and of itself, be disqualifying, however, the presence of external parasites is an indication of poor care and will raise concerns about the canine’s general health. BPK9 highly recommends that vendors apply tick and flea preventative to the dogs they are presenting for selection.

10) Immunization. All canines presented must have been vaccinated within the previous 12 months for rabies, canine distemper, and canine adenovirus (TYPE 2), parainfluenza, parvovirus and leptospirosis. A rabies vaccination certificate with individual canine identification (name, procurement number, or microchip #) must be provided on all canines. This facilitates health certificate preparation if the canine is to be returned to the vendor.

11) Reproductive and Urinary System. Any congenital or conformational abnormality is disqualifying, if the defect requires long-term medical treatment or results in a shortened working life of the canine (e.g., cryptorchidism is not disqualifying unless the retained testicle results in medical complications not treatable by simple orchiectomy. A juvenile vulva resulting in urine scalding is disqualifying.).

12) Socialized. All canines presented must be socialized to medical examinations. Canines that cannot be properly examined due to poor socialization may be rejected.

13) Common Medically Disqualifying Conditions. The following list is provided as a helpful guide and example to all vendors presenting canines for purchase and is not intended to be a complete list or legally binding.

a. Symptoms of contagious or severe disease, such as gastrointestinal or respiratory infections. Lab work abnormalities consistent with severe parasitism, metabolic disease, or other infection.

b. Poor body condition, either emaciation or obesity. BPK9 veterinary officer uses the WSAVA Body Condition Scoring (BCS) to determine the canine’s condition (See Attachment 1). BPK9 uses the 1-9 scale in all the incoming exams. Preferred BCS is between 3-7. Canines that are 1 or 9 on the scale will NOT be tested.

c. Severe periodontal disease, fractured teeth with pulp exposure.

d. Severe, non-resolving, with evidence of chronicity or intractable otitis externa or dermatitis.

e. Radiographic signs of hip or elbow dysplasia or radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease (Presence of palpable joint or ligament instability or laxity, including but not limited to positive ortolani of the hip joint and cranial drawer of the knee joint.

f. Previous musculoskeletal injury which has or may lead to degenerative joint disease or conformational abnormality.

g. Transitional vertebrae of the caudal lumbar spine, lumbosacral junction or sacrum may be disqualifying, as is the presence of any degenerative change in the lumbar spine (such as arthritis). Asymmetric pelvic attachment may also be disqualifying.

3.7. BEHAVIORAL – DETECTOR CANINE (Single Purpose) - A potential detector canine is one that has not been trained to detect a specific odor. CBP evaluates the canine for potential detector ability using the standards and procedures described below.

A detection canine candidate shall exhibit an obsession to play with objects, have stable character, be foot-sure and willing to surmount difficult obstacles. The canine should prefer to play with objects more than having food, water, or the attention of the handler.

NO commands will be given for the canine to retrieve.

Listed below are several tests that provide insight into a candidate’s suitability as a detection canine.

3.7.1. Stable Character: The canine will be brought around several people to judge how it responds. It should not be afraid or act aggressively toward anyone who approaches it; a happy, social attitude should be seen in its behavior. The canine will be walked on smooth tile floors to see if it is sure-footed. The canine should display no fear or discomfort. While the canine is standing or walking on leash in a passive state, an umbrella will be opened suddenly in its face.

The canine may show a slight startled reaction but should recover quickly. The canine will be tested for gun sureness with several unusually loud gunshots fired from about 50 feet behind it in which the canine should show little or no reaction. The canine will be taken into tight places to see how it responds. It should confidently enter and investigate these areas without hesitation. In addition to the above tests, a search of a vehicle with the engine running may be performed at the discretion of the Government.

3.7.2. Retrieval Prey Drive: The canine will be evaluated to see if it will pursue not only objects it is familiar with, but also strange, hard, and soft objects. This test will be conducted in a ravine or on a hill. The canine, handler, and evaluator will stand downhill, and the handler will throw each object uphill and out-of-sight. With each object, the canine will be held on-line and will be released with no command. One by one, several objects, familiar and strange, will be thrown uphill for the canine to pursue. The canine will be judged on its alertness, speed, hunt and grab of each object. The purpose is to determine if the canine will hunt for and play with strange objects while being physically stressed. Examples of strange objects are a piece of PVC pipe, a block of wood, a piece of metal pipe, etc. The canine’s behavior in this test will be assessed against the following required behavior:

a. Alertness. The canine should show undistracted interest when presented with each object and pull hard against the leash as the object is being thrown.

b. Speed. Upon being released, the canine should demonstrate extreme physical effort in running to the area where the object fell.

c. Hunt. Upon reaching the area, the canine must show effective use of its olfactory senses in locating the object.

d. Grab. Upon locating the object, the canine should immediately grab it in its mouth and show a desire and satisfaction in playing with the object.

e. In addition, the canine maybe required to retrieve on elevated unstable surface such as a moving conveyer belt.

3.7.3. Perseverance: The canine will be pre-stimulated with an object that will then be placed under a heavy object (cement block, tire, etc.). The canine will then be released.

The canine will be evaluated on its drive and desire to work out the problem and obtain the object. The purpose is to determine whether the canine possesses a sufficient desire to work to obtain the object and to determine the canine’s natural indication behavior (passive/aggressive). Ideal behavior for this test is, upon reaching the location of the object, the canine immediately engages in frantic biting and scratching behavior to dig and obtain the object, or a frozen stare at the location of the object.

3.7.4. Water Conflict: After the retrieve/prey test, the canine will be taken to a location where there will be a small pond, stream, or container of water. The canine will be shown the water and pre-stimulated with the object that will be thrown beyond the water. The canine will then be released. The ideal behavior is that the canine goes directly to the object without stopping to take a drink.

3.7.5. Food Conflict: A test like the water conflict will be conducted with food. The canine will be pre-stimulated with the object that is then thrown downwind of the food.

The canine will then be released. The desired behavior is that the canine disregards the food and pursues the object.

3.7.6. Handler/Object Conflict: The canine will be brought to a location where there will be a six-foot high chain link fence or an overturned milk crate or like item. The canine will be pre-stimulated with an object that will be placed behind the fence or under the milk crate. The canine will then be released, and the handler will walk out of sight. The canine should go to the object and remain unaffected by the absence of the handler.

3.7.7. Hunt Drive: The canine will be brought to a location where there will be a high degree of grass or brush. The canine will be pre-stimulated with an object, which will be thrown deep (over 40 yards) into the grass or brush. The purpose is to determine the level of the canine’s hardness in pushing through the brush and if the canine will search for an extended period of time without losing interest.

3.7.8. The required behavior for this test is that the canine crashes through the brush with maximum physical effort. Once in the brush, the canine must exhibit concentrated and frantic hunting behavior utilizing its olfactory senses. The canine is expected to maintain this behavior for an extended period (4 to 5 minutes) without any assistance from the handler until such time as it locates the object. Upon locating the object, the canine should immediately grab the object in its mouth and demonstrate satisfaction in playing with it.

3.7.9. On-line Search: The canine will be brought to a search area (shelves, vehicles, building, etc.). The canine will then be pre-stimulated with an object that will be placed out of sight in the search area at a location above ground level. The canine will then be directed through a systematic search of the area on a leash. Included in this search will be several areas above waist level. The required behavior for this test is that the canine will follow all directional commands and signals made by the handler. The canine must demonstrate effective use of its olfactory senses in searching the area where it is directed.

3.7.10. Upon reaching the hidden object, the canine should show quick recognition of the object’s odor and display an undistracted desire to follow this odor and obtain the object.

3.7.11. Temperament and Genetic Drives: Throughout the selection phase, the canine must show that it possesses the temperament and genetic drives to work within a CBP environment based on the following criteria:

3.7.12. Socialization: The canine must possess a sound temperament that will allow it to be approached by and work around groups of people without showing fear, distraction, or reacting aggressively.

3.7.13. Courage/Confidence: The canine must display lack of fear and not be distracted by the following situations and environments:

a. Unsure footing (slick floors, rubble, etc.)

b. Tightly enclosed spaces

c. Moving vehicles

d. Loud noises (weapons fire, etc.)

e. Other live animals and their odors

f. Startling situations (unforeseen events which the canine perceives a danger)

g. Drives: The canine shall possess, at a minimum, the following genetic drives (drives are defined as subconscious impulses to react to stimuli):

h. Hunt. The drive to search for thrown objects utilizing all senses.

i. Air Scent. The drive to use its olfactory capability to search for and locate thrown or hidden objects.

j. Prey. The drive to chase, pick up and play with all thrown objects (hard or soft).

k. Retrieve. The drive to bring thrown object back to the handler.

l. Activity. The drive to be constantly in motion, engaged in activity and possessing abundant energy (commonly referred to as “hyper”).

m. Trainability. Happily, and willingly follows handler directions.

4. Quality Assurance/Warranty- If within 6-months after Government acceptance, it is discovered that the canine has a pre-existing medical problem, chronic disease, or, unacceptable aggressive or obsessive-compulsive behavior that interferes with ability to train appropriately and safely, or hereditary deficiency that could render the canine unacceptable for the work, the vendor shall retrieve the canine within 7-working days and replace the canine within 30 days after receipt of notice that the canine needs to be replaced. Both the retrieval and the replacement shall be done at no expense to the Government.

5. Access Guidance:

5.1. The contractor and all its employees who will be travelling to BPK9 to present canines are subject to a short-term vetting (background check) completed by CBP. The contractor will submit information these employees on the attached form (Attachment 2, Canine Vendor CBP Short Term Contractors Form) every 6 months to the Contract Officer Representative. Failure to submit the information in the attachment will result in denial of entry to BPK9 for the purpose of delivering canines.

5.2. Upon receiving the information requested above, BPK9 will submit it for vetting by CBP. Upon approval by CBP, the COR will issue a Fort Bliss Access Memo, valid for 6 months, to the vendor. The access memo will contain information required by U.S.

Army access point regulations. The memo will be presented by the vendor to the Fort Bliss Visitors’ Center staff upon requesting an access pass to travel to BPK9.

5.3. If CBP determines that the vendor or its employees are not suitable for access to BPK9, that vendor and/or its employees will be denied entry to BPK9. Vendor will have to make other arrangements for delivery. The delivery personnel will also be subject to the short-term vetting check by CBP.

Attachment 1: Clinician’s Brief Body Condition Score Attachment 2: CBP Short Term Contractors Form- Canine

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