Q_and_A.pdf

Questions and Answers

Q: Are the dogs’ immunization records available? Have they received treatment for Rabies, DA2PL (buster distemper) or Bordetella? If so, when?

A: Currently the dogs have not received their treatments for rabies, distemper or bordetella.

Full immunization records are not available, however, records any care which has been provided since November 20 will be provided to the awardee of the contract.

Q: Where are these dogs coming from?

A: The dogs were part of a dog fighting circuit

Q: Are they working K9s?

A: These are not working K9 dogs. These dogs were involved in a dog fighting ring

Q: How long is the boarding for?

A: The contract is for 1 year. The dogs may or may not be in custody for that long.

Q: Who are they going to in NJ?

A: If the dogs become property of the US Government, the long term plan would be to seek to adopt the dogs (which are candidates for adoption) out to new homes.

Q: Do they require vet care?

A: Yes, the animals will require regular/routine vet care as well as any specialized vet care which may be needed during their time under the contract.

Q: Is it the same 6 dogs for a year?

A: The contract is for 6 dogs. At this time, there is no need for services other than the 6 dogs in custody. However, if any dogs were released, the contract allows for other dogs in USMS custody to receive service under this contract.

Q: What specific vet care and medical needs to these dogs require?

A: Individual dogs must be examined to determine the level of care needed for each animal.

SOW 5.f; 5.g; 5.b -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.

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

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

Q: What types of dogs are they and what is their temperament?

A: There are 4 adult pit bull terriers and 2 pit bull terrier puppies. The temperament for the three of the adult dogs is currently normal with one demonstrating aggressive behavior.

Q: Regarding the price schedule, what is a typical Relocation? Is this primarily transportation services provided to transport service canines to a veterinarian, as an example? What other Relocation services are typical requirements that the Marshall Service may have? I also notice that the estimate of times a “relocation” may occur is 3, and this number cannot be changed on the schedule.

A: Relocation would be transporting the dogs from their current location to the contractor’s primary facility. If a dog(s) needed to be transported to a veterinarian for care, this would be applicable too. The estimate of 3 relocations was based on an initial transfer (possibly 2 of these to accomplish this task) and an additional one as needed. If the quantity were to change for some reason during the contract, it would be billed under this CLIN but not prior to COR/CO approval.

Q: It would not be our intention to board any canines offsite, since our facility is fully capable of provided the required services. However, the price schedule does call for a price for Offsite Kenneling. In this regard, can I assume that such kenneling would include boarding at a veterinarian’s facility or similar animal hospital for an interim period of time for say, a canine’s recovery from an operation?

A: Kenneling for offsite veterinarian is not considered “Offsite Kenneling” per the contract and would be billed against CLIN 0002. Offsite kenneling is if foster care is used per the definitions in the Statement of Work.

If you do not plan on using any offsite kenneling, please list the same price for CLIN 0003 as CLIN 0002 and include a statement that “offsite kenneling will not be used.” This will allow the quote to reflect the pricing for all 6 dogs.

Q: Regarding the price schedule, I am unable to provide a price for Basic Vet Services as the Excel program is not allowing me to put a price in that box.

A: An updated pricing schedule has been posted unlocking that cell.

Q: The price schedule provides estimates for Special Vet Care and Misc Expenses. I assume that we do not need to attempt to change those numbers.

A: Correct. The contractor will obtain a quote for these services when needed.

Q: Attachment #1, page 1, under Section 5 shows a heading of Current Contractor and Location of Horse. I see nothing in the SOW to care for a horse, so I am assuming that we would not be required to provide those services.

A: The attachment should have stated dogs. That is the current location of the dogs.

Q: The SOW refers to bathing and grooming. We provide both services on site; however, what is the typical number of baths or grooms required per month/weeks?

A: The intent is to have the dogs maintained in a healthy manner. Grooming and bathing should be done once a month unless situation dictates that they should be bathed more often than that.

Q: Please advise me regarding the food to be provided to service canines. Are there specific protein, or other nutrient requirements in the food to be provided, or is there a preferred brand? Also are there any special dietary requirements of any of the canines to be serviced under this solicitation? We are prepared to provide whatever food is required, but would need to know these facts prior to making our proposal.

A: All food used must be USDA and FDA approved as per SOW 5.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.

Q: Is there any special bedding required for an individual run?

A: Bedding products must be EPA approved as per SOW 5.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.