Response_to_Vendor_Questions.pdf

Questions and Answers: Request for Quote (RFQ) HQ0034-18-T-0017 BPA for PFPA Canines

# Reference Quoter’s Question Government Response

1 BPA Page 2 - Section I, Description of Agreement, Scope, (3)

Quoter believes that the size standard for NAICS 112990 is $.75M, not $.075M. Please

Correct the Size standards in millions of dollars is $0.75 M for NAICS 112990

2 BPA Page 3 – Section II, Quote Table

Quoter believes that the following corrections will clarify and standardize this Quote table form: 1) change “Explosive” to “Explosives” for the first 5 CLINs; 2) Ensure that the following sentence is included for all CLINs: -“In accordance with the Section III Statement of Work” (ref.: as per CLIN 0016), versus the truncated versions now included; 3) CLIN 0005: Insert “- Year Five” between “Detection” and “Ordering”.

Attachment 2 BPA Pricing Fill-in Table Updated.

3 BPA Page 5, SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 4. Scope, bullet 3 and 5.1 Canine Acquisition

Please define “shall be able to be imprinted” as it pertains to these dogs, which are required to be imprinted on at least one odor.

Vendor must prove canine can be imprinted on an explosive odor.

4 BPA Page 5, SECTION III:

body paragraph, “The Contractor shall provide… fulfilment of training for selected canines…” Please clarify what training this is, as the requirement states green dogs, which are untrained.

Training on an explosives/narcotics odor, imprinting. For PBIED, the dog must be able to track a moving target.

5 BPA Page 5, SECTION III:

body paragraph, “Canines shall be capable of being trained to detect PBIEDs and vapor wake.” Vapor Wake is a proprietary commercial product. Is it the intent of the government to require that the successful Quoter procure this training or certification for the candidate “green” PBIEDs?

Vapor Wake is Registered and a Licensed term that is not needed. Only need dog to be able to trail a moving target with an explosive odor.

6 BPA Page 5, SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 5.1 Canine Acquisition, page 6

At the time of a Delivery Order request, will the PFPA/PDD KO/COR suggest a recommended explosive or narcotic odor with which to imprint candidate canines?

No. Usually Black Powder or Marijuana is used due to the ease of acquisition. Any odor is fine.

7 BPA page 7 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 5.1.1

Canine Acceptance Criteria, D.

Behavioral - Single-Purpose Green Explosive Detection Canines, page 7

“The canine shall be pre-imprinted to detect explosive odors.” Does this refer to more than one odor, generally, in contrast to the “one odor imprint” referred to earlier in 5.1? Or, does this refer to a canine demonstrating to the Evaluators the search and detection behavior and skills necessary to detect explosive odors?

Only one odor is necessary to be imprinted to prove the dog can be imprinted. PFPA will imprint all other odors.

8 BPA page 7 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 5.1.1

Canine Acceptance Criteria, D.

Behavioral - Single-Purpose Green Narcotics (added by author) Detection Canines

No section was provided for the behavioral acceptance criteria for Single-Purpose Green Narcotics Detection Canines. Please clarify.

There is no requirement for a Single Purpose Narcotics Detection canine. Narcotices canines are defined as dual purpose providing narcotics detection and patrol duties.

9 BPA page 9 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 5.1.1

Canine Acceptance Criteria, E.

Behavioral - Dual-Purpose Green Explosive Detection/Patrol Canines

“…The canine must exhibit… unwavering ability to engage in physical combat with a violent subject.” Quoter interprets this to mean that the candidate canines will, for evaluation purposes, aggressively engage and stay locked onto a suited decoy “subject” until “Outted”.

Is this correct?

Yes, Correct

10 BPA pages 9 and 10 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK, 5.1.1

Canine Acceptance Criteria G. Medical

1) In paragraph one, it appears that the Quoter must undertake the conduct of two medical exams (including X-rays), one prior to the PFPA evaluation process not “…reimbursed by the government…”, and one within the 30-day window of PFPA “...picking the dogs up...”, a date we assume is the same as the Evaluation date. Is this correct?

2) In paragraph two, the Contractor is advised to submit radiographs for evaluation and suitability determination by a (PFPA-assigned) Veterinarian Board. The time to do so will directly impact the time a Contractor has for prepping a candidate canine - who could possibly fail this PFPA evaluation.

The Quoter is only required to conduct one medical examination which must be current (no more than 30 days prior to PFPA picking up the canine). PFPA will then take canine to a local military vet to conduct a medical examination to verify the canine is in good health prior to transporting the canine to PFPA facilities.

PFPA/PPD will work with the Contractor to establish reasonable delivery schedules to allow delivery to meet mission needs.

11 BPA pages 9 and 10 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 5.1.1

Canine Acceptance Criteria G. Medical (continued)

Given the prior statement, would the PFPA consider “extending” the 30-day period between BPA Call placement and the evaluation date, to ameliorate Contractor schedule compression?

PFPA/PPD will work with the Contractor to establish reasonable delivery schedules to allow delivery to meet mission needs.

12 BPA page 12 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 5.2 General Requirements, 7th paragraph

The government is asking for 3 dogs from which to select one, indicating an expectation of a 66% “reject” rate, which is excessive. This is especially costly for a Contractor if, for example, 5 canines were to be purchased by PFPA on one visit, with 15 canines having to be procured by the Contractor.

Would the PFPA consider reducing the “pool” ratio?

Please clarify.

PFPA/PPD would not expect 15 canines for an order of 5 canines but 10 canines would be acceptable. For example if one canine is ordered PFPA/PPD would like to see 3 canines. PFPA/PPD will work with the Contractor to establish reasonable pool ration to allow delivery to meet mission needs.

13 BPA page 12 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 5.2 General Requirements, 8th paragraph

The Contractor shall provide a one year, no questions asked return policy for disqualified canines.”

Does “disqualified canines” refer to canines trained and deployed by PFPA, or just to canines in PFPA training? Does or will PFPA utilize a Contractor for canine training?

Disqualified canines refers to both trained and deployed canines.

PFPA/PPD uses a contractor for PBIED detection canines only.

14 BPA page 12 SECTION III:

STATEMENT OF WORK; 6.1, Canine Delivery for Canine Acquisition, A. “PFPA shall request the specific types of breed and canines from the Contractor 30 days prior to selection.” It is normal for a Contractor’s canine inventory to be very dynamic, with a minimum of “Shelf stock”. Is this time period adjustable if a Contractor does not have the desired breed(s) or numbers on-hand at the time of the request?

D. “The initial examination and evaluation process could be between 1 – 1 ½ days for each selection.”

Should Quoter take this to mean a medical examination will be conducted by a “PFPA Vet” during the evaluation?

Does “each selection” = one canine?

PFPA/PPD will work with the Contractor to establish fill any upcoming classes (providing information and dates of upcoming classes) to allow delivery to meet mission needs.

PFPA will conduct an initial medical examination utilizing a local military vet after picking up and the canine to verify the canine is in good health before transporting the canine to PFPA facilities.

Yes, one canine