Vapor Wake® Certification/Evaluation and Training - Police Canine (K9) Onsite Training, Recertification, and Evaluator

The City of Orlando and Orlando Police Department are seeking a sole source procurement for Vapor Wake® Certification, Evaluation, and Training services for Police Canine (K9) units. Specifically, the opportunity involves onsite training, recertification, and evaluator services for explosive detection canine teams, with K9 Guild LLC identified as the exclusive licensed provider. Auburn University holds the copyright and patents for Vapor Wake Technology, and K9 Guild LLC was awarded an exclusive license on September 15, 2022, to conduct these specialized services. The procurement is structured as a sole source solicitation (S24-0628) with a submission deadline of September 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. (ET). The services require comprehensive understanding of advanced body-worn explosive detection methodologies, with a focus on maintaining the integrity of Vapor Wake technology. Potential alternative suppliers are invited to submit product information, qualifications, and capabilities to Senior Purchasing Agent Angela L. Thomas via email (angela.thomas@orlando.gov) within a seven-calendar-day period if they believe they can provide comparable services.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational respondents beyond the unique technological and licensing requirements of Vapor Wake® certification. K9 Guild LLC is positioned as the incumbent and currently the only identified supplier capable of providing these specialized canine training and certification services. The sole source notice does not specify a contract value, funding sources, or explicit contract term details. The opportunity is geographically limited to Orange County and the City of Orlando, Florida, and requires deep expertise in explosive detection canine training. The procurement process allows for potential challenges to the sole source designation, but the technological specificity and exclusive licensing from Auburn University suggest significant barriers to alternative providers. No specific budget range or award value was disclosed in the available documentation.