EMERGENCY - K-9 Support Services Invasive Species Protection
UPDATE SUMMARY: Added the brown tree snake to the list of invasive species. Added information about the work location and its conditions. Added an additional question for interested firms on whether the dogs are trained and in which type of invasive species.
This is not a Request for Quote/Proposal. This is a Sources Sought/Request for Information.
The purpose of this announcement is for market research purposes to determine what capable firms and businesses are available and have an active SAM UEI that are interested and capable of providing support for K-9 Services for Invasive Species Protection. Due to Super Typhoon Sinlaku and Bavi and major disaster declarations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have driven urgent cargo movements and debris staging across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) which is creating a high-risk biosecurity pathways for invasive species. Of significant concern, the Government is looking to prevent introduction or spread of the brown tree snake, Little Fire Ant (LFA), and the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) during the recovery operations. Canine inspections are required to prevent the spread and establishment of the brown tree snake, LFA, and/or CRB in CNMI.
Please note that this work that work will be occurring in austere conditions. For example, there will be little to no cellphone service, limited to no electric (generators only), and water is bottled. It is currently anticipated that FEMA will have some form of tents available for use. Interested parties will need to plan to be prepared to work in these severe conditions if interested in this project.
Firms that believe they are capable and interested in providing these services may submit a capability statement which will be considered by the agency. The capability statement shall be no more than ten (10) pages in length and will address the following topics:
- Organization's name, Address, Phone Number, Email, and Point of Contact Information
- SAM UEI
- If you have an established Government contract vehicle that can be utilized for these services, share with us the Contract Number (e.g. GSA Multiple Award Schedule, GSA OASIS+, etc). Please note that vehicles that are not available for the Department of the Interior to utilize should not be submitted.
- Brief summary describing your organization's capabilities that could meet this requirement.
- Description of any work done previously related to similar to the above description with the name customer (e.g. business/organization), date of award & completion, and estimated total award value
- Describe the number of dogs and handlers that could be detailed to the project, if you were selected for potential award.
- Discuss whether the dogs are trained in the relevant detection and which one (e.g. brown snake, LFA, or CRB).
- Include your business size classification (e.g. large business, small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDB, SDVOSB, WOSB, VOSB, etc.)
Responses will be emailed to joan_clarkston@ibc.doi.gov and in the subject header include "EMERGENCY - K-9 Support Services Invasive Species Protection."
The government is also requesting that firms submit any applicable questions or advice for the government to consider as it works to finalize its requirements documents. Areas specifically related to implementing this requirement are encouraged. There are no page limitation for this submission.
- Advise if pricing is based on a daily rate, weekly rate, monthly rate. Provide general information related typical pricing for similiar types of effort. This is non-binding and purely for planning/estimating purposes.
- Advise if the Government needs to plan any special housing/care for the animals during the course of the work. For example, will the Government need to have an established location to kennel/feed the animals. Can the animals be left alone overnight? Will you be able to arrange housing for them?
- Are there any restrictions on how long the animal/handlers can work to be effective?
- As there may be multiple sites on the islands, the animals may need to be transferred to different sites for work. Any insights for us to consider on this topic would be helpful.
- Any special concerns related to transportation of animals from within the United States to the CNMI, or from another foreign county, that the Government may need to be concerned about.
Responses to this request for information will not constitute responses to any request for quote which is not currently available. No request for quote currently exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the request for quote. The decision to solicit for a task order will be solely at the Government's discretion. This request for information is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the government reimburse any costs associated with the submission of information in response to this notice. Respondents will not be individually notified of the results of any government assessments. The Government's evaluation of the capability statement received may factor into whether any forthcoming request for quote(s) will be conducted as a small business set-aside, full and open competition, or sole-source procurement. The Government may also utilize responses to determine its overall potential strategy (such as GSA MAS, etc) and not issue the solicitation publicly through SAM.gov.
