NJ_SOW.pdf

District of New Jersey Asset Forfeiture Unit

STATEMENT OF WORK

1) PARTIES AND PURPOSE

a) This contract is between the contractor and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) through which the contractor will provide care of six (6) dogs, four (4) of which are adults and two (2) are puppies.

b) The purpose of this requirement is to provide transportation, daily care, treatment, food, and kennel boarding for the dogs.

2) DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

a) ASSET ID NUMBER (AIN): This is the asset identifier which is assigned, by the seizing agency, to each asset at the time that it is seized.

b) BASIC VETERINARY CARE: The routine veterinary procedures for the well-being of the dogs often performed on a regular basis to include but not limited to regular vaccinations, worm testing, de-worming, veterinary examinations, routine blood tests, and routine or non-invasive veterinary treatment and procedures necessary to ensure the health of the seized dogs.

c) BUSINESS HOURS: Hours between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Government holidays.

d) CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO): A person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.

e) CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR): A Government employee who provides technical direction to the contractor. The COR is designated in writing by the

CO.

f) KENNELING: Services to include but not limited to housing, feeding, bathing and grooming.

g) OFFSITE KENNELING: Boarding rate for any dog(s) which may be housed at a foster care home versus the main storage facility. Contractor must demonstrate how this method of care is best for the dog(s) behavioral growth and development. Any offsite kenneling must have COR approval.

h) SPECIAL VETERINARY CARE: The care for the dogs not done on a routine basis to include but not limited to non-routine/specialized treatment(s), undertake invasive procedures, or performing of humane euthanasia. Appropriate methods should be utilized to humanely euthanize an animal and the euthanized animal should be disposed of properly. Prior COR approval is required before special veterinary care is performed.

i) TRANSPORTATION: Includes any necessary transport within a 100 mile radius of facility.

Transport shall be billed per dog transported.

3) FACILITY LOCATION

a) Contractor shall have one primary facility, located within 75 road miles of the USMS, District of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ Office, 402 East State Street, Trenton, NJ.

4) FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

a) Must possess active liability insurance policy.

b) Contractor must be compliant with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, regulations and ordinances regarding kenneling and care of dogs.

c) Must have, at a minimum, inside and/or outside runs not less than 48 inches wide with a minimum length of 10 feet.

d) Inside pens must be at minimum 16 square feet per dog and must be large enough for the dog(s) to turn about freely, to stand erect and lie down in a natural position. Dogs shall be caged individually except where otherwise indicated for health or welfare reasons.

e) Must be able to provide lighting by either natural or artificial means shall provide a minimum of thirty candle power for at least eight hours per day except where contraindicated for health reasons. A means to control the amount of sunlight entering dog quarters during the warm seasons of the year shall be provided.

f) Facility must have adequate environmental sanitation to keep vermin away.

g) Must have running hot and cold water.

h) Must remove feces and other excreta at least once daily and the runs washed down with hot water and disinfectant cleaner. Excreta shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner.

i) Must be air conditioned and ventilated in such a manner as will provide fresh air at all times.

j) Any offsite kenneling locations must:

a. Have a written agreement releasing the United States Government, the

Department of Justice and USMS from any liability for any harm/damages incurred while the dog(s) is in their location

b. Have a written agreement in place with the contractor specifying the terms and conditions of the fostering of the dog(s). The written agreement between the contractor and the offsite kenneling location must be approved by the COR.

c. Bring the dog(s) to the main facility on a monthly basis to allow USMS personnel to perform an inspection of the dog(s). This monthly inspection will be coordinated with the contractor and the USMS; the contractor will then notify the offsite kenneling location of the date/time.

5) CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Relocation of the dogs(s): If the dogs are to be relocated prior COR approval is required.

2. Care of the dogs shall include the following;

a. Adult dogs shall be segregated for health, welfare or breeding reasons and any vicious animals shall be removed and caged separately.

b. Veterinarian must be on call and available to perform special veterinary care as needed.

c. Facilities for isolating dogs under quarantine of treatment for communicable diseases shall be in a room or area that is separated from other dog-holding facilities.

d. Dogs shall be provided with clean fresh water and sufficient and wholesome food. Food and water containers shall be kept clean and sanitized.

e. Dogs shall be exercised on a daily basis unless the dog is subject to medical treatment(s) which would prevent daily exercising.

f. Provide and/or obtain basic medical care including veterinary treatment (i.e., regular vaccines, de-worming, bi-annual dental exams) as needed in order to ensure the well-being of the dogs.

g. Provide any other care deemed necessary in order to ensure humane treatment of each dog.

h. Notify COR immediately of any serious illness or injury that requires veterinary treatment.

i. If the contractor becomes unable to take care of the dogs pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the contractor shall immediately notify the COR, but must continue to provide care until such time as the dogs can be relocated.

j. Only approved USDA, FDA and EPA products are to be utilized on the dogs. These products must be in accordance with the approved product use guidelines.

k. Contractor shall have appropriate staffing with the ability to recognize common health problems and know how to utilize animal health products and other control measures.

l. If prevention and control methods are ineffective, the contractor and/or staff should promptly contact a veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment program to minimize animal suffering and animal losses.

m. Special veterinary care, approved by COR in advance, is to be performed by a certified veterinarian. In the case of emergencies outside of business hours, contractor has the rights to perform necessary care, not exceeding $2,500, to prevent any harm to the animal(s).

3. Record-keeping

a. Contractor shall maintain on a current basis complete and accurate records and account for all expenditures of funds under this contract in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and instructions provided by COR to facilitate on-site auditing and inspection of such records.

b. Permit COR or designee onto premises at any time during normal business hours for inspection of the dogs, facility, and all records relating to this contract. The contractor shall maintain all records through the duration of this contract.

Unannounced inspections will also be performed.

c. The contractor shall maintain all records pertaining to the health and veterinary treatment of the dogs and provide upon request by CO/COR.

5) SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER OF THE DOGS

If at any time while the contractor is caring for the dogs, the U.S. determines that the dogs should be transferred to another facility or location, the COR will notify the contractor as soon as possible. That transfer will be the responsibility of the United States and will relieve the contractor of any further responsibility under this Agreement.

6) HOLD HARMLESS & INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

1. Contractor agrees to hold harmless the United States for any death, injury, or other harm suffered by any officer, employee, volunteers or other individuals caused by the dogs while in their care.

2. Contractor agrees to indemnify the United States in the event that any suit, cross-complaint, third-party complaint, or counterclaim is filed against the United States, resulting from any death, injury, harm or claim of any kind suffered by third parties caused by the dogs during the period when the dogs are under contractor’s control.

3. Contractor agrees to hold harmless the United States for any personal or real property damage caused by any of the dogs while in their care.

7) CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

1. Except as otherwise set forth in this section, contractor agrees to strict confidentiality regarding this contract and their participation in the evaluation and care of the dogs in this case. Under NO circumstances will any information be released to third parties or any information that will compromise the United States’ investigation, the names or any identifying information about the target of the investigation, evidence, or any association to the dogs.

2. Contractor shall limit access to the subject dogs pertained to in this contract to individuals with an official need for access in order to perform responsibilities under this Agreement. Representatives of the USMS shall be allowed access to the dogs and the facility at any time during business hours unless there is an urgent need or emergency after those hours.

3. Access is restricted to the contractor or their authorized employees, the CO/COR or his/her designee, or individuals accompanied by USMS personnel that are approved by the CO/COR. A list of all authorized contractor employees will be given to the COR upon award of this contract.