Multi-purpose canines & multi-purpose canine handler training

THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE, BUT RATHER a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) (Reference number H92239-16-R-0001) that will allow the Government to identify interested sources capable of meeting this requirement. The information sought herein is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for quote (RFQ), request for proposal (RFP), invitation for bid (IFB), or as an obligation or commitment on the part of the Government to acquire any product or service. There shall be no basis for claims against the Government as a result of information submitted in response to the RFI. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice, or otherwise pay for any information submitted by respondents to this request. This notice is for market research purposes only and is not indicative of a full requirement. Should a requirement arise, the full requirement will be detailed in the solicitation.

The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) is seeking to identify all responsible sources capable of providing Multi-Purpose Canines and Multi-Purpose Canine Handler Training with a fully executable Program of Instruction (POI) in support of the United States Army Special Operations Forces in accordance with the attached DRAFT Statement of Work (SOW).

Interested parties must demonstrate experience in providing the canines and the support services requested. Interested parties are requested to submit a thorough narrative that clearly demonstrates their corporate capabilities and trainer capabilities and certifications, a summary of relevant experience of providing multi-purpose vs. single-purpose canines; providing canine and handler training, training facilities and veterinary facilities, equipment (to include storage) and lodging; developing and executing a successful POI; and the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully execute the attached SOW. The narrative should also include substantive current and/or recent past performance references that identify the contract number, customer, contract value, type of contract, period of performance, prime or subcontractor designation, and a brief description of the services. Interested parties are requested to submit a capabilities statement of no more than ten (10) pages that demonstrates the respondent's ability to meet the requirements as specified herein.

Documentation provided must address all required elements listed herein; providing only a reference to a website is unacceptable for purposes of this announcement will not be considered or reviewed. All proprietary or corporate data received shall be clearly identified and shall be protected from release to sources outside the Government. Please do not submit classified material.

Contractors responding to this Sources Sought shall are requested to provide the full name of the firm, address POC, phone/fax number and email address. Responding vendors shall also identify their business size and any socio-economic categories, Cage code, DUNS number, and evidence of current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov). Please also advise the Government of pending changes in the business size status.

Responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Mrs. Valaida Bradford, usasoc.contracting4@soc.mil and Mrs. Jennifer Payne at Jennifer.payne@soc.mil. Due to the intermittent nature of electronic communication, it is the vendor's responsibility to ensure receipt of all e- mail correspondence. Respondents are cautioned that due to file size limitations and e-mail security protocols, there is a risk that not all correspondence will be received by this office.

All responses shall be submitted by 1:00 p.m. EST, 6 November 2015 and shall include reference number H92239-16-R-0001 in the subject line and submission documents. Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future associated request for quotations that may be issued. Respondents will NOT be notified of the results.