Veterinary Consulting Services

The City of Wichita is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposal process to secure veterinary consulting services for the Wichita Police Department's Animal Services Division at the Wichita Animal Shelter located at 3303 N. Hillside. The primary deliverables include daily veterinary examinations, stabilization, medication, and treatment of injured and sick animals; diagnostic procedures; disease outbreak monitoring and control; euthanasia protocol oversight; staff training on medical care and animal handling; vaccination administration; and court testimony services as needed. The shelter currently houses up to 350 animals with a daily population of 60-80% capacity. Qualified respondents must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience providing similar services, understanding of industry standards and best practices, and full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: ability to meet proposal terms and conditions (10%), project understanding and presentation (30%), technical qualifications and resources (30%), references and past performance (10%), cost (10%), and Small & Emerging Business Enterprise participation (10%). Key deadlines include written questions due May 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., addendum posting on May 28, 2026, and sealed proposals due June 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., with evaluation and optional oral presentations occurring June through August 2026 and tentative City Council approval scheduled for August 2026.

The contract includes a Small & Emerging Business Enterprise set-aside designation representing 10% of the evaluation criteria, encouraging participation from disadvantaged enterprises. Respondents must submit a not-to-exceed professional services fee with hourly billing rates and estimated hours for the contract period, with veterinary medical supplies reimbursed at cost plus a 10% markup on an itemized basis. Professional liability insurance of $1,000,000 per claim and $1,000,000 annual aggregate is mandatory, along with commercial general liability, automobile liability, workers' compensation, and employers' liability coverage. The contract term is one year with four optional one-year renewal periods, with either party able to terminate with thirty days' written notice. No incumbent vendors or budget range information was specified in the solicitation materials. All proposals must be accompanied by professional references, proof of relevant experience, a proposed service methodology, and completed certification forms, and the contract is subject to all mandatory City of Wichita contractual provisions, independent contractor requirements, and Kansas Open Records Act compliance.