Law Enforcement K9 purchase and Maintenance Training Services

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is requesting proposals for law enforcement K9 purchase and maintenance training services with a proposal deadline of October 12, 2026, with a local-business preference ordinance applied under San Mateo County's Procurement Preference for Local Businesses. The RFP applies preference points ranging from 5 to 10 percent depending on local-business classification (businesses, non-profits, and small or micro businesses headquartered in San Mateo County).

The scope consists of two components: maintenance training and K9 purchase. The trainer must conduct two monthly five-hour training sessions on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month for two years, covering obedience, searching, detection, and handler tactics with emphasis on scenario-based exercises to increase handler stress levels and decision-making skills. Training must ensure compliance with P.O.S.T. standards and annual qualifications, including debriefs analyzing tactics and decisions. The trainer must also source and sell dual and single purpose dogs (German Shepherds, Bloodhound, German Shorthaired Pointer) to the K9 Unit throughout the contract period; two immediate vacancies require fulfillment with possibility of additional purchases. Pricing is structured as cost per handler/dog team, with the Sheriff's Office charged only for actual attendance at each session.

Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of four years of similar service experience within the last seven years and certify they are not debarred from federal or state business. Insurance requirements include general liability, motor vehicle liability, and professional liability, each at $1 million, with the County named as additional insured. The contractor must comply with California Labor Code prevailing wage requirements and the County's Living Wage Ordinance.

Evaluation occurs in two phases: Phase 1 scores project approach (30 points), firm qualifications (25 points), price (25 points), and experience (25 points); Phase 2 awards preferential points by local-business classification. Questions are due September 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. The anticipated contract award date is December 1, 2026. Proposals must be submitted via the County's eProcurement portal, requiring pre-submission registration. All submissions become public records under the Public Records Act.