SUBJECT: Request for Quote (RFQ) for Untrained Detection Canines for the US Border Patrol K9 Center in El Paso TX Quantity - 6 Canines

The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection is procuring untrained detection canines to support the CBP Office of Training and Development's K9 Center in El Paso, Texas. The government seeks to acquire canines that meet strict breed, age, health, and behavioral requirements, including eligible breeds such as Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and other approved sporting/herding breeds between 12-36 months old. Vendors must provide canines in excellent health with comprehensive medical documentation, including hip/elbow radiographs, health certificates, and microchip identification, while the animals must demonstrate appropriate temperament, drive, and detection potential through rigorous behavioral testing. The evaluation criteria, listed in descending order of importance, include breed conformance, availability date within 60 days of Notice to Proceed, open order/active Notice to Proceed status, past performance providing canines to CBP, and price. Questions must be submitted in writing by September 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST, with quotes due by September 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST to aaron.s.lacy@cbp.dhs.gov.

This solicitation is designated as a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 112990 (All Other Animal Production) with a size standard of $2.75 million, and no incumbent contractors are identified in the documentation. While the total funded value is to be determined, the procurement is for 6 canines with an option to procure up to 25% additional dogs, and the contract includes a 6-month warranty requiring vendors to replace canines with pre-existing medical issues at no cost to the government. The contract term runs from September 30, 2025, through December 29, 2025, with delivery required to the CBP Canine Program in El Paso, Texas, or Front Royal within 30 days of award. Performance will take place at the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy in El Paso, TX 79908, where CBP will conduct comprehensive pre-purchase evaluations of all canines. The procurement operates under Federal Acquisition Regulation Parts 12 and 13, with the government committing to award to the responsible quoter whose conforming quote is most advantageous to the government.