RFI DRAFT OCONUS MWD SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

DEPARTMENT OF WAR

OCONUS Military Working Dogs (MWD)

OCONUS Government Working Dogs (GWD)

14 August 2026

341st TRAINING SQUADRON (341 TRS)

Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. STATEMENT OF WORK

1. SCOPE

2. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

4. BPA CALL PROCEDURES

5. EVALUATION PROCEDURES

6. ASSESSMENT DECISIONS

7. WARRANTIES

8. CONTRACTOR FEEDBACK

II. SPECIFIC PROCEDURES

SECTION 1: General Requirements (Breed, Sex, Weight and Height)

SECTION 2: Behavioral Evaluation

SECTION 3: Medical Requirements and Evaluation

SECTION 4: Evaluation of Potential DoW Single Purpose Detector Dogs

SECTION 5: Evaluation of Potential DoW I (Detector/Patrol) Dogs

SECTION 6: Evaluation of Potential DoW II (Detector/Patrol) Dogs

SECTION 7: Evaluation of Potential TSA Detector Dogs

SECTION 8: Evaluation of Potential Special Purpose Detector Dogs (SPDD)

III. APPENDIX A: MINIMUM CONTRACTOR SITE REQUIREMENTS

STATEMENT OF WORK

Military Working Dogs (MWD) and Government Working Dogs (GWD)

1. SCOPE

The scope of this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is for Military and Government Working Dogs (WDs) procured by the Department of War (DoW) and the Transportation and Administration (TSA) total requirement for WDs. The purpose of this requirement is to support the DoW MWD program’s mission of providing trained MWDs used in patrol, drug and explosive detection, and specialized mission functions for the DoW and other government agencies.

2. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall present potential MWDs that meet one or more of the DoW’s established classification criteria as outlined in Sections 4 through 8 at approved contractor sites (unless otherwise specified in the solicitation of the BPA calls). To be selected for purchase, the potential WDs must pass all four phases of evaluation; general requirements (Section 1), medical screening (Section 2), behavioral evaluation (Section 3), and performance evaluations (Sections 4 through 8).

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is five years beginning on the date of BPA award. BPA Calls must be awarded within the BPA’s period of performance. The period of performance of BPA Calls may extend beyond the BPA’s period of performance, but cannot exceed 12 months from the BPA’s expiration date.

This is a multiple award BPA. The Government reserves the right to reopen competition at any time during the term of the BPA based on its assessment of the marketplace. All BPAs awarded as an on-ramp will have the same expiration date as the earliest awarded BPA, regardless of the new BPA’s effective start date.

4. BPA CALL PROCEDURES

This BPA is decentralized and is open for ordering by a DoW warranted Contracting Officer, and any of the individuals authorized (BPA Callers) to place orders (BPA Calls) under this agreement on behalf of the government and the 341 TRS. The BPA Caller will rotate orders among vendors to promote maximum practicable competition per FAR 13.303-2(c). In most cases, the following procedures will be followed during the procurement of potential MWDs.

1. The DoW BPA Caller will notify vendors of the government’s proposed OCONUS buy trips.

2. The contractors shall notify the government if they wish to participate in evaluations.

3. The government shall notify the vendors and will coordinate the presentation and evaluation of potential WDs.

4. The government will issue a BPA call for all canines that passe the evaluations.

5. The contractor shall submit invoice and will be paid via their preferred payment method

(Electronic Funds Transfer or Government-wide Purchase Card).

6. If the dog presented does not meet the minimum qualifications, the authorized ordering personnel may offer to purchase the dogs at a lower classification than it was presented.

For example, the ordering official may offer to purchase the dog that failed the DoW II Evaluations as Potential DoW I dog as long as the dog received a pass rating during the DoW I Evaluations. The ordering official and the contractor shall negotiate the final purchase price for these dogs prior to issuing a BPA Call. Any agreed upon price must not exceed the pricing for the dog’s purchased category on the vendor’s BPA.

NOTE: Contractors are expected to present the required number of canines to fill each BPA Call. In the event that a canine presented fails to meet the criteria at a higher classification, the government may offer to purchase (or the vendors may offer to sell) the canine at a lower classification.

5. EVALUATION PROCEDURES

The contractor shall provide the following information for all the canines that will be delivered and presented to the 341 TRS no later than ten business days before the start of the evaluation:

dog’s name, breed, sex, whelp date, color, and microchip number. Additionally, the contractor shall provide hip, elbow, and spinal radiographs on all canines for non-binding evaluation (Section 3).

1. Pre-Screening Procedures

The evaluation team will conduct pre-screenings on dogs using the documents submitted by the contractor prior to their arrival at designated selection site. The evaluation team may notify the contractor if disqualifying attributes are identified during the pre-screening of the dogs. The team will utilize the evaluation criteria in Section 1 – General Requirements and Section 2 – Medical Evaluations when deciding whether the potential MWDs will be allowed to proceed with the behavioral and performance evaluations. The contractor shall present ALL DOGS that pass the pre-screening procedures.

2. Consignment Procedures

Consignment testing may be accomplished through two different procedures - Centralized consignment or Mobile consignment.

2.1. Centralized Consignment. For Centralized consignment, the contractors will bring their dogs to a designated selection site for the medical, behavioral, and performance evaluations. The dogs may remain in the care of the contractors during the evaluation period (contractors being responsible for presenting the dogs each day at the designated site), or the dogs may be consigned to DoW (normally being housed in kennels at the designated site) and be cared for by DoW personnel during the test period. The designated site may be a contractor’s premises, or it may be a WD Evaluation Team-controlled site.

2.2. Mobile Consignment. In Mobile consignment, the procurement team travels to a contractor-designated site to perform behavioral evaluation. A contractor shall have a minimum of 40 dogs available to be eligible for a visit. Contractors with less than 40 dogs shall bring them to a visited contractor’s site for behavioral evaluation. Once dogs have passed the behavioral evaluation, medical evaluations will take place either immediately at the contractor-designated site or after transportation to a designated site.

Contractors will be responsible for transporting each selected dog to the designated site for further evaluation. If dogs are not consigned to the WD Evaluation Team care, testing may last up to 3 days. If dogs are consigned to the evaluation team, they may remain in team’s care for up to 15 working days. If any dogs fail the behavioral or medical evaluations at the designated site, the contractor shall be responsible for transporting dogs away from this site.

3. Evaluation of Dogs. The evaluation of dogs begin as soon as the WD Evaluation Team arrives at the designated selection site. The team will utilize the evaluation criteria in Section 3 – Behavioral Evaluation and Sections 4 through 8 for various Performance Evaluations. To pass the evaluations, the dogs must successfully perform specified tasks and clearly demonstrate the potential to be trained to perform other tasks as MWDs. The contractor shall not train, “game,” stimulate (with or without reward objects), or otherwise prepare their dogs at the selection site at any time before, during, or after the evaluations.

All dogs that will be presented for evaluation shall be microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard microchip. The dogs must have flat leather or nylon collars and must be strong enough to restrain the dogs.

Once dogs are officially turned over to the WD Evaluation Team for presentation, only the DoW or TSA consignment evaluation personnel will be allowed to handle the dogs (unless otherwise expressly permitted for activities or operations requested by consignment evaluation personnel, or for watering and elimination “breaks”).

6. ASSESSMENT DECISIONS

All decisions by the WD Evaluation Team are final and non-negotiable. Failure to meet assessment standards will be listed by general category (referenced by Statement of Work (SOW) item number) only. Further discussion may be offered for canines demonstrating that remedial training may help them be successful in a second attempt at assessment. The DoW reserves the right to permanently disqualify any candidate from further testing or future reassessment.

7. CANINE MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL WARRANTY

1.1 Scope & Coverage. The Contractor warrants that all canines delivered under this contract are free from latent medical defects, congenital conditions, heritable disorders, and pre-existing behavioral abnormalities that render the canine unfit for working dog (WD) training.

1.2 Warranty Period. This warranty shall remain in effect for one hundred-twenty (120) calendar days post-delivery. Initial acclimation, environmental testing, and basic obedience during the integration period shall not void this warranty.

1.3 Warranty Inclusions. Routine veterinary care and elective physical alterations shall not void this warranty. Such procedures include but are not limited to:

(a) Gastropexy;

(b) Desexing (spaying or neutering); or

(c) Identification tattooing.

The Government remains eligible for a full remedy under this warranty if a pre-existing condition is diagnosed by a qualified veterinarian after such procedures have been performed.

1.4 Warranty Exclusions. This warranty does not cover illnesses, injuries, or behavioral degradation resulting directly from post-delivery physical trauma, handler abuse, neglect, operational accidents, or acute infectious diseases contracted after physical delivery to the Government facility.

SECTION I: WARRANTY CLAIMS, REMEDIES, AND LOGISTICS

2.1 Notification. Upon clinical or behavioral diagnosis of a covered condition by a licensed military or government-contracted veterinarian, the Government shall provide written notification and the veterinary diagnostic report to the Contractor within seven (7) business days of the diagnosis.

2.2 Government Remedies. Upon receipt of a valid warranty claim, the Government shall, at its sole discretion, select one of the following remedies:

(a) Replacement: The Contractor shall deliver a replacement canine meeting all original contract specifications within thirty (30) calendar days, at no additional cost.

(b) Refund/Credit: The Contractor shall issue a full refund or a contract credit of equal value to the purchase price of the affected canine, to be applied to future orders. Canine shall be replaced within one hundred-twenty (120) days if no future orders are placed with the Contractor.

2.3 Retrieval & Logistics. The Contractor shall take physical possession of the affected canine within fourteen (14) calendar days of notification. The Contractor is solely responsible for all return transport, boarding, and veterinary maintenance costs incurred from the date of claim notification until retrieval. Abandonment of the canine by the Contractor is strictly prohibited.

SECTION II: SPECIAL PROVISION (HUMANE EUTHANASIA)

3.1 Conditions for Euthanasia. If a government or military veterinarian certifies in writing that a warranted canine's condition renders it a severe safety hazard, entirely unfit for return transport, or is causing acute, intractable suffering, the Government reserves the unilateral right to direct humane euthanasia.

3.2 Notification & Collaboration. The Government will notify the Contractor immediately of the emergency status. The parties will have forty-eight (48) hours to engage in good faith collaboration on an alternative disposition. However, if the veterinarian determines that delay will cause undue suffering or imminent danger to personnel, the Government may execute euthanasia immediately.

3.3 Contractor Liability. In all cases of authorized humane euthanasia under this section, the Contractor remains fully liable for the selected remedy (Replacement or Credit) and if requested, shall reimburse the Government for all veterinary euthanasia and final disposition costs within thirty (30) calendar days of billing.

8. CONTRACTOR FEEDBACK

Bi-Annual questionnaires will be sent to current BPA holders prior to Program Management Reviews. The contractors may provide feedback regarding processes, procedures, inputs, and insight that may be used in improving future procurements.

SECTION 1 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

(Breed, Age, Sex, Weight and Height, Color, & Coat)

1.0. The paragraphs below detail acceptable breeds, physical appearance, size and weight requirements for Working Dogs. Some WD classifications may have more strict requirements.

These requirements are outlined in Sections 4 through 8. At a minimum, the dogs that will be presented to the government must meet the following requirements:

1.1. Breed. German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherd (or mixes of the three) are the preferred breeds for the DoW (Detector /Patrol Dog) I and II (Sections 5 and 6). Sporting breeds (e.g. Labrador, Golden or Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Vizsla, Short-and Wire-Haired Pointer, etc.) are the preferred breeds for the Potential Special Purpose Detector Dog (Section 8).

Herding breeds (German and Dutch Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois), sporting breeds (Labradors, pointers, etc.), or small breeds (terriers 12 inches at the withers and under, such as Jack Russell/Parson Jack Russell Terrier, Jagdterrier, Rat Terrier, Patterdale Terrier, etc.) will be accepted as Potential DoW Detector Dogs (Section 4), at DoW’s discretion. The 341st Training Squadron reserves the right to consider only sporting breeds as potential DoW detector dogs and potential special purpose detector dogs. Breed specific DoW detector dog requests (e.g.

Labradors, small breeds, etc.) may be priced as potential special purpose detector dogs. Other herding, working, or sporting breeds may be evaluated at the discretion of the evaluators.

1.2. Age. All detector, patrol, and special purpose detector dogs shall be 12 - 36 months of age at time of the evaluation. Dogs may be rejected at the discretion of the evaluators or veterinarian if they appear to be younger than 12 months or older than 36 months of age based on outward criteria (for example, grey muzzle, excessively worn teeth, chronic skin conditions, etc.).

1.3. Sex. Both 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 procurement team, if it does not affect evaluation of other dogs at the site.

1.4. Height and Weight. Height and weight shall be proportional to the dog’s frame and skeletal size and within the normal range of variation of the breeds. Dogs shall not be excessively overweight or underweight for their conformation as determined by the veterinarian. Dogs that are excessively large/heavy-boned or excessively small/light- boned may be rejected at the evaluators’ discretion.

1.5. Color. Any color typical for the breed, as defined by a breed standard issued by a breed organization belonging to the “Federacion Cynologique Internationale”, is acceptable.

1.6. Coat. German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and Belgian Malinois, as described in “Federacion Cynologique Internationale” breed standards, are dogs of short (2 to 4 cm) to medium (5 to 7 cm) coat length on the body, with a soft undercoat and a courser outer coat that covers the undercoat. DoW reserves the right to reject dogs with coat longer than 7 cm on the body, or with very soft or very woolly coats atypical of the breeds.

SECTION 2 - BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION

2.0. The behavioral tests begins as soon as the dog arrives to the testing site and ends when the dog is either selected for purchase or disqualified. In addition to acceptable performance during testing, all candidate dogs shall be generally alert, active, outgoing, and confident. They shall display good socialization and be generally tolerant of people. Any of the following defects in behavior displayed at any point during evaluation or consignment may be cause for rejection.

This list is provided as a guide and example to contractors presenting dogs for purchase and is not intended to be a complete list. The defects include but are not limited to:

Unwillingness to comply or cooperate with handlers or allow themselves to be physically manipulated (into positions such as sit) by hands and leash/collar.

2.1. Fear, shyness, or nervousness in response to people, especially DoW handlers. This includes animals that are “asocial,” and either avoid contact with handlers or exhibit lack of responsiveness to physical and social attention from handlers. DoW has discretion to reject animals that do not exhibit normal canine social responses to DoW handlers, even if they pass other tests.

2.2. Inability to work in proximity to people or other dogs because of pronounced aggressiveness.

2.3. Handler or equipment-aggressiveness.

2.4. Excessive struggle, aggression, or stress when being muzzled, or afterwards.

2.5. Excessive struggle, aggression, or stress when being crated or uncrated, or afterwards.

2.6. Excessive panting not due to heat or exercise.

2.7. Submissive or stress-induced urination during social interactions.

2.8. Sensitivity or fear in response to environmental stimuli such as interiors of buildings, slick and elevated surfaces, stairs, noisy objects, crowds of people, and other stressors/distracters.

2.9. Pronounced or uncontrollable leash-biting.

2.10. Dogs already introduced to or trained to detect narcotics or explosives will not be considered for procurement.

2.11. DoW may also reject dogs that exhibit unmanageability with respect to recovering a reward object (or a bite sleeve) from them. For example, if extreme physical force such as prolonged choking or vigorous use of a gagging device is necessary. Animals that “gator-roll” or exhibit other signs of extreme conflict with handlers during reward recovery may also be rejected at DoW discretion. As a rule, if a dog transfers willingly from one reward object to another when enticed, or releases easily when its’ tongue is depressed with blunt object (i.e. when it is

“gagged”), or with moderate upward pressure on the collar, or on command, it shall not be judged to be unmanageable. However, the DoW reserves the right to judge when a dog’s possession is so stubborn and vigorous that excessive force is required to recover the reward object.

2.12. At DoWs discretion, evaluators may elect not to evaluate dogs presented in such physical condition as to project neglect (unkempt/un-groomed coats, exceptionally dirty or odorous, thin, obese, ill-appearing, etc.).

2.13. Should a dog be rejected upon initial presentation for behavioral evaluation, any subsequent presentations of the dog will be at the discretion of the consignment evaluator.

SECTION 3 - MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

3.1. In general, all dogs 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 dog must be medically able to enter training.

3.2. Medical Screening of Radiographs of Dogs.

Contractors shall submit diagnostic quality digital radiographs, at no cost to the U.S.

government, upon initial arrival of the evaluation team to the testing site. These images are for medical pre-screening purposes and shall include elbow, lumbar spine (lower back) and hip radiographs at a minimum. The positioning and technique required for these radiographs shall follow all of the guidelines in the Procurement Radiographs presentation published by 341 TRS/SGV and provided to all contractors in conjunction with this Statement of Work regarding flexed lateral projections of both elbows, ventrodorsal hip-extended projection of the pelvis to include all of the L7 and the cranial tips of the pelvic bones, and lateral projection of the lumbar spine to include T13 to the end of the sacrum. Minimum data imprinted (“flashed”) permanently on the radiographs at the time of exposure shall include the following: dog identification (name, tattoo/brand number, if assigned), microchip number, whelping date, and date of radiographic examination. Date of radiographic examination will be no greater than 4 months (120 days) prior to evaluation of the dog by the medical evaluation team. If, after non-binding review by the evaluation team, any radiographs are determined to either contain insufficient data or are of inadequate diagnostic quality where repeat or additional imaging will be required, contractors will be notified of these requirements as soon as reasonably possible following initial veterinary assessment of the prescreening radiographs for all candidate dogs at the testing site. A complete and medically diagnostic quality set of radiographs as described by the Procurement Radiographs presentation is required for every candidate dog prior to the start of behavioral evaluation.

3.3. The cost of radiographic examinations or any other medical screening or procedures performed by private veterinarians is not reimbursable by the government.

3.4. On-Site Evaluations

Upon arrival at the designated evaluation site, veterinarians supporting the DoW MWD Program will examine all dogs that have passed the initial evaluation process. This evaluation will include a complete physical examination; collection of blood for routine diagnostic testing; and possibly, anesthesia and radiographs of the hips, elbows, lumbar spine or other areas based on examination, even if imaging has been performed previously by the contractor. Laboratory availability may affect the evaluation team’s ability to perform specific diagnostic tests.

However, the laboratory testing will include: blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, serum electrolytes, blood glucose, packed cell volume, and total solids. Screening for infectious diseases/organisms such as Leishmania sp, Lyme disease, or other diseases/organisms may be required as determined by the veterinarian. 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 dog. If further evaluation is warranted, additional diagnostic testing may be completed at the discretion of the veterinarian or the dog may be determined to be unacceptable. The following areas are evaluated closely; most, but not all, disqualifying features are noted.

3.4.1. Gait. All dogs shall display normal mobility at a walk and run. Dogs are disqualified for any gait abnormality which could affect the dog’s ability to perform normal WD duties.

3.4.2. Skin and Coat. Skin and coat shall be healthy in appearance, displaying no evidence of chronic dermatitis, allergies, infections, injuries or marked external parasite infestation (e.g., mange, fleas, etc.). A matted, unthrifty hair coat may not be grounds for disqualification but will raise concern about the dog’s general health (also see 2.13).

3.4.3. Teeth and Jaws. Dogs intended to perform bite work (Patrol) will have normal dentition and dental occlusion. Dogs will be rejected if they have brachygnathism (undershot jaw) or prognathism (overshot jaws). All four canine teeth shall be present and shall not be weakened by notching, enamel hypoplasia or excessive wear. For all dogs, teeth will not have more than 1/3 inch of the tip missing or have pulp cavity exposed.

Oral infection or excessive periodontal diseases are grounds for disqualifying a dog.

Broken teeth or excessively worn teeth may be disqualifying.

3.4.4. Heart and Lungs. Heart sounds, rate and rhythm shall be normal (e.g., no murmurs, arrhythmia, etc.). In general, the cardiovascular and respiratory system shall be normal at rest and upon exercise.

3.4.5. 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:

3.4.5.1. 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 341st Training Squadron, JBSA - Lackland, will disqualify a dog.

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

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

3.4.5.4. Transitional vertebrae of the caudal thoracic spine, caudal lumbar spine, lumbosacral junction or sacrum are disqualifying. Asymmetric pelvic attachment is also disqualifying.

3.4.6. 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.

3.4.7. Heartworms. All dogs submitted for evaluation shall be free of heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis). The presence of heartworm infection will be determined by using a heartworm antigen test. Dogs will be temporarily medically rejected upon testing positive for canine heartworm disease. Sufficient legal medical record documentation from a licensed veterinarian demonstrating completion of the full heartworm treatment protocol in accordance with the most current published version of the American Heartworm Society (AHS) guidelines must be presented prior to initiation of any future procurement evaluations. All required heartworm tests following adulticide treatment completion must have negative test results (in accordance with current AHS guidelines and published timelines) before future procurement evaluations will proceed.

3.4.8. Intestinal Parasitism. Infection with intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, etc.) may not be disqualifying, depending on the level of infection and the overall condition of the dog. Presence of intestinal parasites is, however, an indication of poor care and will raise concern about the dog’s general health.

3.4.9. External Parasitism. Presence of fleas, ticks, lice or mange mites may not be disqualifying, depending on the amount of infestation, the degree of associated skin disease, and the overall condition of the dog. Presence of external parasites is, however, an indication of poor care and will raise concern about the dog’s general health.

3.4.10. Immunization. All dogs presented shall have been vaccinated within the previous 12 months for rabies. Records of all vaccination administration must be copied from a legal veterinary medical record and signed by the licensed veterinarian responsible for administration of the vaccination. Additionally, a rabies vaccination certificate with individual dog identification (name, tattoo, brand or microchip #) must be provided on all dogs. This facilitates health certificate preparation if the dog is to be returned to the contractor. Dogs may be rejected upon initial arrival examination if appropriate documentation of required immunization has not been adequately provided.

3.4.11. Medically Socialized. All dogs presented must be socialized for medical examinations. Dogs that cannot be properly examined due to poor socialization will be rejected. Rejected dogs can be resubmitted for consideration after behavior has been modified to allow medical examination.

3.4.12. 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 dog. (e.g., cryptorchidism is not disqualifying unless the retained testicle results in medical complications not treatable by simple orchidectomy. A juvenile vulva resulting in urine scalding is disqualifying.)

3.5. Common Medically-Disqualifying Conditions. The following list is provided as a guide to all contractors presenting dogs for evaluation and is not intended to be a complete list.

3.5.1. Hematological abnormalities consistent with severe parasitism, infection, or metabolic disease.

3.5.2. Poor body condition, either emaciation or obesity.

3.5.3. Severe periodontal disease.

3.5.4. Severe, non-resolving or intractable otitis externa or dermatitis.

3.5.5. Radiographic signs of hip or elbow dysplasia or radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease.

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

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

3.6. In Case of Illness During the Evaluation Period. If a dog presented for evaluation develops an illness during the evaluation period, the government at its discretion, may provide medical care as deemed necessary by the veterinarians at the MWD Hospital to prevent spread of disease, treat the illness if it is known that a government act or omission caused the disease, or otherwise stabilize the dog’s condition to prevent undue suffering and/or loss of life, limb or eyesight. Following stabilization where the illness is not thought to have been caused by a government act or omission, or in cases where the dog is displaying signs likely related to a pre-existing condition prior to arrival, the contractor will be notified and responsible for transportation of the dog off of the premises to a civilian veterinary facility of their choosing.

The contractor notification may include medical recommendations or requirements to have specific veterinary diagnostics and/or medical care conducted in order to continue further consideration for government procurement. The cost of transportation, diagnostics, and care performed by private veterinarians is not reimbursable by the government. If the contractor refuses to conduct required veterinary medical diagnostics and/or care, the dog will no longer be considered for procurement and must be removed from the premises within 24 hours in coordination with 341 TRS.

3.7. In Case of Death or Illness Requiring Euthanasia. If the government returns a dog being considered for evaluation to the contractor for any reason under this Statement of Work and the dog, within ten days of its return to the contractor, dies or develops an illness requiring euthanasia, the contractor will secure the services of a licensed veterinarian to conduct a complete necropsy of all organ systems of the deceased dog to determine the cause of death within four hours of the dog’s death or euthanasia. The government will reimburse the contractor for the cost of the dog (based on the corresponding BPA line item price for that dog) and the cost of the necropsy only if the necropsy indicates that a government act or omission proximately caused the death or the illness necessitating euthanasia. The government will not be responsible for the cost of the dog and/or the cost of the necropsy if more than ten days have elapsed between the dog’s return to the contractor and either the dog's death or onset of the illness requiring the dog's euthanasia, regardless of the necropsy findings. If, while in the government’s possession, a dog being considered for evaluation by the government dies or develops an illness necessitating euthanasia, the government will conduct a complete necropsy of all organ systems of the deceased dog to determine cause of death within four hours of the dog’s death or euthanasia. The government will reimburse the contractor for the cost of the dog (based on the corresponding BPA line item price for that dog) only if the necropsy indicates that a government act or omission proximately caused the death or the illness necessitating euthanasia.

SECTION 4 – EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL DOW SINGLE PURPOSE

DETECTOR DOGS

(Sporting Breeds, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, or Small Breeds)

4.1. A Potential DoW Detector Dog is one that has not been trained to detect an explosive or drug odor. Dogs that exhibit passive final response (sit, down) to DoW test odors shall be rejected. Similarly, dogs that exhibit passive final response to “blank locations” (e.g. an empty drawer or cabinet) shall be rejected. Dogs that exhibit passive final response to rewards (e.g.

rubber ball or Kong™) are not preferred but may be accepted at DoW evaluators’ discretion.

DoW evaluates the dog for potential detector ability using the standards and procedures described below. In order to pass testing, the dog shall exhibit pronounced interest in looking at, pursuing, biting and holding reward objects. In addition, the dog shall also show pronounced independent olfactory search behavior (i.e. “sniffing”).

4.1.1. During potential detector dog evaluation, the target of the search will most commonly be the reward object (rubber Kong™ or ball). However, DoW may also use an odor target such as a specific drug or explosive substance, neutral substance, or the reward object placed together with an odor target.

4.1.2. The preferred reward object is a rubber Kong™ (with or without a rope). However, if the dog does not demonstrate sufficient interest in the Kong™, a rubber ball may also be tried at DoW’s discretion. In special circumstances and at DoW’s discretion, the dog may also be tested for interest in play with other objects, including rolled towels, tennis balls, and tug toys, etc.

4.1.3. In the course of testing, the dog’s ability to accept being trained to sit may be assessed.

This assessment may occur during searching (after the dog has sniffed target odor) or assessment may be conducted as an obedience exercise on leash. In either case, the dog is not expected to sit automatically on cue (either command or odor), but it is expected to accept a sit-training procedure without becoming fearful or skittish or aggressive, without struggling excessively against the sit, and without exhibiting excessive disruption of search behavior or reward interest following the sit.

4.1.4. During testing, the dog’s interaction with DoW handlers shall be evaluated. Handlers may take the dog for a walk, issue commands, give gentle corrections, offer the dog attention or physical contact, or apply gentle social stressors (such as running into the dog with the knees or stamping the feet behind the dog). A dog that exhibits fear or inhibition or aggression in these circumstances may be rejected at DoW discretion.

4.1.5. Environmental Testing. This test is designed to assess the dog’s ability to withstand psychological stress arising from intense stimuli in a novel test environment, including the presence of a group of unfamiliar people and being handled by an unfamiliar handler. Testing of the potential detector dog begins with observing the dog in one or more complex environments while being walked on leash by a DoW handler. Ideally, this environment is unfamiliar to the dog and features a number of intense stimuli that can be used to test the dog’s environmental stability, or “boldness”. Stimuli of interest include tight spaces (such as closets and cabinets), unstable surfaces, slick floors, elevated footing, obstacles, stairs, noisy and moving and startling objects, and groups of people. Any and all stimuli may be used at the evaluators’ discretion to assess the stability and “boldness” of dogs presented to DoW for possible purchase. The dog will not be played with or stimulated with a reward object (e.g. Kong or ball) during this testing unless at evaluators’ discretion. To be eligible for DoW purchase, the dog shall behave boldly and fearlessly. If the dog is momentarily fearful, it may still be considered for purchase at DoW’s discretion if it recovers quickly and if it displays sufficient willingness to confront stressful stimuli when encouraged. DoW will not accept dogs that are fearful, shy, retiring, noise-sensitive, aggressive to or fearful of handlers or bystanders, refuse to negotiate obstacles such as stairs or slick floors or elevated footing, or exhibit inhibition, anxiety or fearfulness while negotiating such obstacles. Environmental testing may be repeated as many times as DoW deems necessary and may include walking the dog on leash through daily traffic areas and observing the animal’s responses to normal daily stimuli in places of business or work.

4.1.6. Sociability Test. This test is designed to assess the dog’s likelihood to behave excessively submissively, fearfully, or aggressively, or bite at personnel. Sociability tests are scored as part of environmental testing. The evaluator will observe the dog’s responses to the handler and to personnel in the testing area, some of whom may approach the dog in a very strong and socially assertive manner. The evaluator may observe while the dog’s leash is passed from one handler to another. The evaluator may approach or follow the handler/dog team (while he/she holds the candidate dog on leash) in a friendly or neutral fashion. In addition, the DoW handler or evaluator will observe the dogs’ behavior while it is taken out of the crate, kennel, or vehicle.

Dogs that are very submissive and “soft” in behavior towards handlers, or that react fearfully or aggressively in any of these situations, or dogs that attempt to bite, will not be eligible for purchase. In addition to examining candidate dogs for aggression to handlers, DoW handlers or evaluators will also examine the dogs for normal sociability and “friendliness” with handlers.

Dogs that are fearful or shy towards the DoW handler or evaluator, or that are unresponsive socially and express no pleasure in being petted and praised, may be rejected.

4.1.7. Kennel Behavior. This test is designed to identify any dogs that exhibit stress, fear, or behavioral inhibition when in a “large kennel” environment. The dog’s behavior in and around DoW kennels is part of sociability and environmental testing. Dogs that are reluctant or refuse to leave their kennels, dog houses, or crates when beckoned by a DoW handler may be rejected, even if they pass other testing. Dogs that display fear, shyness, or aggression to DoW personnel, or behave in a fearful, shy, aggressive, or excessively submissive manner in and around the kennel areas, may be rejected, even if they pass other testing.

4.1.8. Gunfire. This test is designed to ensure that candidate MWDs are stable, comfortable, and unafraid when exposed to the noise of .38 caliber or equivalent blank gunfire for a handgun/pistol. The gunfire test will be conducted for all DoW-procured dogs, to include single purpose detection dogs and small breed detection dogs. The gunfire test may be conducted at any time during the testing process (i.e., before or after bite-work testing, or separately from bite-work testing). The handler controls the dog on a 6-foot leash without influencing the dog's reaction by touching or talking to the dog. The evaluator may initially be out of site of the dog while firing. The evaluator then walks towards the dog and fires a total of up to 6 spaced blank rounds from an open-barreled blank handgun/pistol. Up to two rounds each are fired at approximately 75 paces from the dog, 30 paces, and as close as 5 paces. Alternatively, the evaluator may be concealed and the dog may be moved closer to the evaluator during the gunshots. The dog will be evaluated in terms of its’ steadiness/sureness under gunfire. Dogs that remain calm, inquisitive, and move about freely will be deemed gun-sure. A certain amount of excitable barking, especially when accompanied by an “open” or “neutral” facial expression will be tolerated if the dog remains at the end of the leash and does not retreat from the evaluator.

Overt aggression (snarling/exposure of the teeth, piloerection of the coat on the withers and back, stressed barking) towards the evaluator will be deemed indicative of lesser degrees of steadiness/sureness, and may result in failure. Undesirable behaviors that may result in failure of the test include; pronounced startling or shying, tail-tucking, moving away from the evaluator and/or hiding behind the handler, jumping up against the handler apprehensively, expulsion of the bowel, bladder, or anal glands, pronounced behavioral inhibition under gunfire, or aggression/biting directed at the handler or the leash. Additional rounds may be fired if needed to ascertain a dog’s steadiness/sureness under gunfire. If a.38 caliber or equivalent handgun/pistol is not available, an appropriate equivalent weapon (at DoW’s discretion) shall be employed for gunfire testing.

4.1.9. Static Object Interest. This test is designed to assess the strength of the dog’s interest in the reward object. The dog is held on a flat nylon or leather collar by the DoW handler. The evaluator shows the reward object to dog (normally a Kong™ attached to a short rope or cord), entices the dog with it by whirling or swinging it briefly, and places it on the ground 6 to 10 feet from the dog. The evaluator then steps away and watches the dog for 15-30 seconds during distraction. This distraction will normally (but not always) take the form of a noisy object such as a steel bucket, with chains attached, dropped and dragged on the floor towards the dog and perhaps making contact with the dog. Also, the distracter might be any object that can be used to apply environmental stress. Reward interest is evaluated in terms of the dog’s tendency to stare at the reward object without interruption, pull towards it, resist distraction, and the amount of physical work the dog will engage in (barking, pulling, struggling) during the course of the test.

If the dog exhibits fear or inhibition of drive in response to the distracting object, this may be grounds for rejection.

4.1.10. Thrown Object Interest. This test is designed to further assess the strength of the dog’s interest in the reward object by showing the manner in which the dog pursues and picks up a thrown object. The evaluator picks the reward object up and throws it a distance of 5 to 10 meters into the middle of an open area. The dog is allowed to pursue and pick up the object.

Reward interest is evaluated in terms of the speed and eagerness with which the dog pursues the object and picks it up. A second thrown retrieve may be performed by placing or throwing the reward object 3 to 5 meters into a group of 3 to 6 people standing in close proximity to each other. These people do not interact with, deliberately touch, or speak to the dog; they are "neutral”. Reward interest is evaluated in terms of how well the dog remains concentrated upon the reward object. After picking up the reward object, it is permissible for the dog to seek attention from or investigate the people, and the dog may even drop the object momentarily, so long as it immediately scrambles to recover it. If the dog drops the reward object and leaves it, or drops it repeatedly, this may result in failure.

4.1.11. Possession. This test is designed to assess the dog’s “mental possession,” or psychological focus on the reward object in the absence of stimulation provided by a handler praising the animal, or a tester attempting to take the object away. The handler recovers the dog’s leash and, without providing any praise or stimulation, allows the dog to interact independently with the object for 15-60 seconds. Possession is evaluated in terms of how concentrated the dog appears to be on the object (chewing, mouthing, and coveting the object), and how continuously the dog maintains physical possession (holding the object) and mental possession (remaining near the object, looking at the object, and refusing to walk away without picking it up). It is understood that while some dogs (e.g. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois) may express intense reward interest by vigorously crushing and biting the object, others (e.g. sporting breeds) may express intense reward interest through other breed-specific behaviors such as dropping the object and staring at it, or dropping it and chasing it, etc.

4.1.12. Physical Possession. This test is designed to evaluate how stubbornly and powerfully the dog retains physical possession of a reward object. The evaluator or handler attempts to physically take the object away from the dog, by pulling and tugging at the object (normally by means of the rope or cord through the object). If the evaluator cannot take the object, then the handler attempts to take it away, or “out” the dog. Reward interest is evaluated in terms of how stubbornly and powerfully the dog resists physical attempts to take the object (i.e. plays a vigorous game of tug-of-war). Again, it is understood that individuals and breeds exhibit variability in this type of behavior that may be independent of reward interest. Some dogs may not play tug-of-war because they previously had strict training in the “out.” Alternatively, they may be members of breeds that are traditionally more handler-sensitive and softer-mouthed, rather than having weak reward interest. These differences are taken into account by the evaluator when making pass/fail decisions. For instance, a sporting breed dog that exhibits strong reward interest during static and thrown phases, but does not hold the reward object or play tug-of-war, may still pass testing providing it exhibits continuous preoccupation with the reward (i.e.

staring at the object, refusing to leave the object) during the Possession and Physical Possession Tests. A German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois exhibiting such behavior would be less likely to pass.

4.1.13. Thrown Object Search. This test is designed to assess the intensity, independence, and duration of the dog’s off-leash search behavior. In addition, the dog’s propensity to search by sniffing (rather than visually scanning) and the strength of its’ responses to reward odor (“change of behavior” on detecting odor), and its’ ability to localize (i.e., “bracket to”) odor source are all assessed. The thrown object search test is optional. It is performed using an open outdoor area with groundcover and/or obstacles, or an indoor area cluttered with objects and/or with difficult footing. At DoW’s discretion, either indoor or outdoor or both versions of this test may be administered to potential detector dogs. After the physical possession test (4.1.12), the evaluator recovers the reward object and throws it 5 to 50 meters into an area of concealment while the dog watches, and the dog is released while the object is still in motion. After the dog retrieves the object, the procedure is repeated, but the dog is not released until after the object comes to rest.

Prior to sending the animal, the dog’s visual contact with the search area may be broken, either by removing the dog to an area behind an obstacle (e.g. a vehicle or a wall or a bush) for 10 or 15 seconds or by spinning the dog in a circle, and then the dog is released to search off-leash. Active search behavior is evaluated in terms of intensive sniffing and investigation of the environment.

Odor localization aptitude and odor responsiveness are evaluated in terms of magnitude of behavior change in response to reward object odor, and bracketing upwind to source. If the resulting search is less than 90 seconds in duration, then a blank search may be conducted, in which the evaluator throws the reward object while the dog watches. The dog is then removed to an area behind an obstacle, the evaluator recovers the reward object, and the dog is released to search the area. After no more than 90 seconds, the dog’s search is concluded by recovering the leash or by throwing a reward object as the dog searches. A dog may fail this test if it exhibits weak or interrupted search behavior, if it becomes distracted by environmental odors or stimuli, or if it engages in scent-marking behavior during the test.

4.1.14. Placed Search. This test is designed to evaluate the intensity and duration of the dog’s olfactory search behavior (“sniffing”) in an indoor, furnished setting. The evaluator entices the dog with the reward object and then pretends to place/throw the object in the environment (normally an indoor setting with furniture and other such hiding places) while the dog watches.

The target of the search (hidden before-hand so that the dog does not see the hiding place) is a reward object alone, an odor target alone, or a reward object plus an odor target (see 4.1.1.). The dog is allowed to search on leash, with a dropped leash, or off-leash. Over the course of three to eight search problems, active search behavior is evaluated in terms of intensive sniffing and investigation of the environment. During the search, the dog may be expected to tolerate close contact with one or more persons that will pass by, stand up suddenly and walk at the dog, speak to the dog, touch it, and make noise and/or use objects in the environment to provide strong visual and auditory stimuli. The target may be placed in a location requiring the dog to negotiate a stressful surface or location in order to localize and approach the target (i.e. a “pyramid” of boxes, or a metal cabinet lying on the ground in such a manner that it rocks when the dog steps onto it).