Service K-9 for the DOC Stillwater

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is seeking to procure one service K-9 canine for the Stillwater facility through a competitive bid process. The solicitation requires a male German Shepherd between 12-18 months old, specifically bred from working lines and psychologically suitable for basic patrol and dual-purpose detector dog training. The dog must be tested and demonstrate proficiency in apprehension, scent work, ball drive, search drive, and environmental stability. Vendors must be accredited by the National Police K-9 Organization (USPCA) and have selling/training working dogs for law enforcement as their primary business. The bid is due on December 4, 2024, at 3:00 PM Central Time, with delivery required within 10 days after purchase order receipt. Prior to award, the DOC requires an in-person testing and examination of the dog at an agreed Minnesota location. The dog must be accompanied by health certificates showing negative tests for various conditions within 30 days of delivery and come with a one-year guarantee against debilitating genetic defects.

The solicitation includes preferences for targeted group businesses, with specific point allocations for economically disadvantaged businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and DEED/DHS providers. Veteran-owned businesses can receive up to 12% of total available points, while eligible DEED/DHS providers can receive 6% of total points. The state has also incorporated an environmental preference for recycled materials when pricing does not exceed non-recycled materials by more than 10%. All bids must be submitted through the SWIFT Supplier Portal, which requires multi-factor authentication. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the procurement is structured as a one-time purchase with an award to be made on an "all or none" basis. Bidders must submit comprehensive documentation including company biography, training program descriptions, certifications, trainer experience details, and program information to be considered for the contract, which is scheduled to run from December 4, 2024, through June 30, 2025.