B08_-_SOW_-_BPA_Federal_Wildlife_Canine_Purchase_and_Training_FY27.pdf

Statement of Work BPA for Resource Protection K9s/Federal Wildlife Canines (FWCs)

US Fish and Wildlife Service

National Wildlife Refuge System Law Enforcement National Canine Program

Blanket Purchasing Agreement (BPA) for Federal Wildlife Canine Purchase and Training

Fiscal Year 2027

BACKGROUND

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Wildlife Refuge System Law Enforcement (NWRSLE), National Canine Program to purchase Resource Protection K9s/Federal Wildlife Canines (FWCs) to be handled by new and experienced Federal Wildlife Canine Officers (FWCOs). Vendor to understand the type of unique canine that is required for our FWCOs and NWRSLE. Vendor shall provide canine handler training academy for new and experienced FWCOs that is consistent in the Canine Industry.

BPA is requested in order to receive a consistent type of FWC and professional training for our National Canine Program.

AWARD BASES

The Government will award a Blanket Purchasing Agreement (BPA) resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offer or whose offer conforming to the Request for Quote (RFQ) is determined to be the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

The Government will perform a technical analysis of the offer and if found to be technically acceptable, that offer will be deemed to be the best value to the Government. If the offer is not determined to be technically acceptable, the next offer will undergo a technical analysis to determine whether it is technically acceptable, until the acceptable offer is determined.

SCOPE:

Multi-purpose (Dual-purpose) Canine with Patrol and Either Detection option of:

1. Wildlife/Plant Detection consisting of multiple odors TBD.

or

2. Narcotics Detection consisting of multiple odors TBD for the exception of no cannabis odor.

Canines having patrol functions of Protection, Apprehension, Area/Building Search, Tracking/Trailing, Article Search and Hold and Bark

Training class for beginner and experienced handlers with 6 week duration.

Our service needs FWCs that have the listed characteristics before/after training:

• “Wherever We Go They Go”: Our National K9 Unit Motto. We need partners that have the ability and characteristics to be with our FWCOs all the time, whether it be in the truck, boat, airboat, ATV/UTV, helicopter, and accompanying our FWCOs while on horse patrol

• High-end obedience

• Super social (extreme amount of community outreach)

• Gunfire neutral

• Wild animal indifferent

• Other canine social

• 50 to 65 pounds either female or male (Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd or mix)

• Ability to swim

Vendor shall have a previous track record of selling and training FWCs and FWCOs. Vendor shall have the capabilities of selecting from hundreds of dog candidates and selected to perform at a high level that fits a very specific and unique skill requirements and needs. Selections will demonstrate abilities to work around wildlife, be friendly when needed and provide for protection as required.

Vendor to understand that very few canines have the temperament that is needed to accomplish the USFWS mission. Selected FWCs must demonstrate the ability to be clear minded, social, certain size, and specific drives for the USFWS National Canine Unit. This temperament is important because of the nature of work performed by the FWCs in the field, yet also out of the field. It is very common for our FWC Teams to meet the public, visitors, congressional representatives (on Capitol Hill), and high level federal, state and local entities. Selected and trained canines need to have the capabilities and temperament to socialize with the public, family members, government employees, and provide protection in an instant and then be able to resume their social behavior once the threat has passed.

Vendor shall have a Master Trainer developed training with the implementation of obedience training based on “markers”. This type of obedience training is used by our entire National Canine Unit, and has proven to be the most effective and reward based training in the industry.

Obedience is one of our highest needs, given that our FWCs are in constant contact with the public and employees. Hence our National Canine Unit motto of “Wherever We Go, They Go!”

Our Resource Protection K9s are not like most Police K9s. Most Police K9s are kept in the patrol kennel to be used and deployed for a very specific task. Our Resource Protection K9s are deployed, and by our side at almost all times. This requires a high level of obedience training, which starts with the dog and the handler (beginner or experienced) at the training provided by the kennel.

REQUIREMENTS

Canine Candidates:

Canines must meet the following criteria to be selected for the NWRSLE National Canine Program:

Canines must be Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd or any mix of the aforementioned breeds

• Male or Female

• 50 to 65 pounds full grown weight

• Must have proportionate lines harmonious with a straight solid back and shoulders per a veterinarian examination. This examination should also include a detailed eye exam.

• Have to be at least 11 months old.

• Teeth must pass a veterinarian examination.

• Must be x-rayed for hip dysphasia and rate in one of the following categories (1) Schnelle grading of -0 and #1, (2) a rating of a good from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, or (3) a German “A” stamp rating of “normal” or “fass normal.” X-rays should also include the spine and elbows.

• Also the following qualities for all canines considered for selection:

o Shall display the ability to be trained as a dual purpose canine o Shall not exhibit sensitivity or fear when in enclosed buildings with slick floors, dark rooms, stairs, loud noises, or other distracting features o Shall not be jumpy, shy, afraid, nervous around people, show aggression toward handler or be unable to work around people o Shall display good hunt and prey drive during a retrieval exercise o Shall hunt unassisted for a thrown toy, out of sight o Shall display adequate amount of excitement once a toy is located o Shall not show adverse reactions to riding in a motor vehicle o Shall display civil aggression and display a good, sure, full mouth apprehension on an exposed bite sleeve or other bite equipment.

o Shall display both prey and defense drives and make an apprehension o Shall complete apprehensions in both interior and exterior locations

Additionally, the selected canines have the following characteristics before/after training:

• No adverse reactions when riding or accompanying a truck, boat, airboat, ATV/UTV, helicopter, or horse

• High-end obedience

• Super sociability

• Gunfire neutral

• Wild animal indifferent

• Other canine social

• Ability to swim

Vendor:

Vendor shall:

• Provide full documentation of veterinarian records, i.e. x-rays, veterinary observations and vaccination records.

• Have on average 100 canines on site

• On average work or do business with 400 canines per year

• Acquire new canines every 4 to 6 weeks

• Have access to 80,000 square foot of training facility

• Have two North American Police Work Dog Association (N.A.P.W.D.A) Master

Trainers on staff

Equipment:

Provided Equipment:

• Training Manuals and Handouts

• Leather Work Lead,

• Leather Waist Lead,

• Leather Collar,

• Tracking Harness,

• Herm Springer Fur Saver,

• Correction Chain,

• Prong Collar.

• 15ft Nylon Tracking Line,

• 500 Series Vari Kennel,

• Coat Rake,

• Bende Ball and Tug Rewards,

• 37.5 lb Bag of Purina ProPlan Sport Dog Food.

Training

• Selected canines shall receive pre-training consisting of 8 to 10 weeks prior to FWCOs arrival unless FWCO is attending a Canine Instructor Course.

• FWCO and selected canine shall receive a 6 week canine handler course.

• FWC Team shall receive a N.A.P.W.D.A. Certification upon successful completion of 6 week canine handler course

Vendor Canine Guarantee:

• 1 year hips-back-spine-elbows and major illness (Genetic Health)

• 3 month work-ability with qualified handler and training

Housing:

On-site housing/lodging and local hotels/lodging shall be available for FWCOs while attending training courses.

Vendor shall provide cost of:

• Housing/lodging included

• Housing/lodging not included

DELIVERABLES and DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Reasonable timeline to locate and select canines for USFWS NWRSLE National Canine Program’s specific needs and mission.

8-10 week Pre-training.

6 week training class with FWCOs or proper time required for desired FWC Team performance.

The USFWS NWRSLE National Canine Program retains the right to conduct on-site inspections of facility, as well as physically and visually test all candidate canines prior to purchase. Full payment for each canine and training to be invoiced the next business day after completed training/academy. Payments will be issued under Accelerated Payments for Small Businesses.

BPA Calls

BPA Calls will be issued by a DOI Warranted Contracting Officer. Requests for BPA Call will be submitted by NWRS LE National Canine Chief (or designee) in MySupport. MySupport PPR should include:

• Quantity of Canine(s) to be acquired

• Quote from Awardee

• Necessary Funding

POINTS OF CONTACT

Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR)

Branden Kieffer, Acting NWRS LE National Canine Chief (or designee) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System 1439 Coal Chute Road, Bald Knob, AR, 72010 Phone: 870-919-6933 Email: branden_kieffer@fws.gov

Contracting Officer

Name: Keith Rose Office Ph: 612-713-5423 Email: Keith_Rose@fws.gov mailto:Keith_Rose@fws.gov