Research and development efforts of off-leash detection

The focus of this effort will be to further the efforts conducted under contract M67854-11-C-3015. All efforts under the new vehicle stem directly from reasearch previously conducted under M67854-11-C-3015 and award to any other company would require substantial duplication of tasks and funds already contributed under the previous effort for canines, individuals, training and research. The continuity of all these aspects combined is critical to the success of the new effort.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Forces, U.S. Marine Corp, U.S. Army Research Office, and Joint Military Working Dog Program have strategic needs in support of advancing the capability, training, science and technology, and analysis of using military working dogs for the fight against terrorism. Military working dog systems developed in the recent combat activities in Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated new opportunities and gaps in the use of military working dogs for security and tactical operations. The requirements in this effort are directly relevant to enhancing capabilities developed in the IED Defeat Dog program at K2 Solutions and leveraging into new programs now that those efforts have ended and the challenge has changed. The Joint Military Working Dog program and the Army Research Office have basic and applied research needs surrounding the fundamental aspects of canine genetics for dog selection, scent improvement performance, advanced training, advanced off-leash operational procedures and kit and gear for canines. These needs are validated in the JMWDP requirements documents.