Canine Handler Training - DRC270035 - OSC

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) is requesting proposals for canine handler training services, including supply of human-tracking trained canines, handler staff training, and consultative support, with proposals due September 8, 2026 under ITB DRC270035.

The scope requires supply of four German Shorthaired Pointer canines, one to two years of age and of direct European descent, with one canine/handler team trained in controlled substance detection only and one team trained in controlled substance detection plus human tracking. The contractor must provide each handler with a selection of at least three prescreened canines. Single-purpose training shall not exceed five weeks; single-purpose plus human-tracking training may extend to six weeks. All canines must be certified by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) and the North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA), arrive with complete health documentation and microchip implantation, and carry a one-year post-deployment replacement warranty against failure to perform and a lifetime warranty against congenital abnormalities. The contractor supplies all training equipment, which becomes ODRC property, plus one month of food per canine. Training facilities must be located in Ohio or one of five contiguous states and include weatherproof, temperature-controlled kennels, on-site handler lodging, and varied training scenarios.

The contract is structured as a flat-rate fee consolidating all materials, labor, shipping, and travel into a single grand total, with Net 30 payment terms. General post-deployment follow-up and troubleshooting are provided at no cost; consultative services for expert testimony are billed hourly as needed. The contractor must maintain workers' compensation insurance per Ohio law, commercial general liability insurance with minimum $1 million annual aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence, and automobile liability insurance. All contractors are subject to background checks prior to entering correctional facilities and must comply with federal and state law and maintain confidentiality of Agency information.