Canines Labrador Retrievers

Added: Oct 05, 2010 8:24 am QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SOLICITATION DJA10S000070

 
1. In Section M #3 it states the dogs must have been raised in a "home-style" environment.

Q. Could you provide ATF's definition of "home-style"?

Question # 1 - Home -style environment being that of an environment with various exposure such as: the canine live with a family, indoors, exposure to children, other species of animals, elderly persons, household furnishings, noises, daily exercise and socialization routine to include free exercise outdoors and structured exercise (walks/jogging with owner) and daily socialization in as many public areas as possible (familiar and unfamiliar surroundings, flooring, noises, strangers, ability to maneuver in tight and open areas, dark confined locations and comfortable with unfamiliar noises both in the household and in public arena's).

2. In section B.5 under "Delivery Order Minimum and Maximum Levels" it reads ATF could require from 1 to 100 dogs per month.

Q. Is there a more accurate number of dogs ATF would require from an individual vendor, and what would be the time line for delivery of requested dogs?

Question # 2 - An individual vendor (dependent upon the number of vendors available) could reasonably expect to provide 5-10 canines for ATF per year at the current ATF canine class schedule. The time frame for delivery of each canine could be as soon as 4 weeks. In other words and once again dependent upon the number of vendors, we may ask for one canine approximately every 6-8 weeks but the vendor would have at least a month to provide the canine.

3. In Description/Specifications, #3 it reads - "If a canine is purchased and later determined to be unacceptable the contractor will have the option to provide
a full refund to the government or provide an acceptable replacement canine while adhering to the predefined criteria."

Q. Is there a more definitive time line for deeming the dog unacceptable?

Question # 3 - Once the canine graduates from the ATF training program and begins working in the operational setting the vendor would no longer be required to provide a refund or replacement on the canine in question. From the date of acquisition until said canine becomes operational is the time frame that is in question for replacement or refund. Example - if the canine was acquired from the vendor on February 1st and the canine entered training on March 1st the canine if successful would be expected to graduate on July 1st (4 months later).

Canines are only returned if a medical or behavioral condition is discovered or surfaces during the training period in Front Royal. All medical issues will be reconfirmed with secondary medical consultations and behavioral issues will be evaluated to determine if the issue stemmed from a pre-existing event or a recent stress from training. Evaluations will be conducted by several sources prior to returning a canine.

4. Other than including the information in the Technical Proposal, is there a place on the contract that requires documentation of the number of canines we anticipate providing each year?

Question #4 -- No, but please realize that ATF is attempting to set up a Multiple award contract to provide different avenues in procuring canines. The very best scenario was provided by the program office: during the last twelve (12) years, only once did ATF hold nine (9) classes in one year and that was about six (6) years ago. If this occurred again during the next five (5) year contract period ATF would need eight (8) or nine (9) K-9's per class, eighty one (81) K-9's per year. "If" ATF awards ten (10) contracts; eight (8) K-9's from each contractor per year would be needed. Canines do get return if they don't meet ATF minimum requirement which would mean other contractors may be asked to provide even more canines for a class, if they are readily available.