Border Patrol Untrained Canine – Detection, Field Office K9 Center - FOK9
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Training and Development (OTD), is seeking Detection Canines for its K9 Center in Front Royal, VA. This Request for Quote (RFQ) aims to procure up to 6 untrained canines to support Border Patrol operations. The opportunity is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. Quotes are due by February 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.
Purpose & Scope
CBP requires untrained detection canines for its K9 Center. The contractor will be responsible for procuring and providing canines suitable for training, with CBP having an option to procure up to 25% additional canines. Canines must be in-place within 30 days of award, and replacement canines must be furnished within 60 days of non-acceptance notification. The contractor bears all transportation costs for shipment and retrieval of canines.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ)
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order
- Set-Aside: 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- NAICS Code: 112990 (Live Animals, Not Raised For Food)
- Size Standard: $2.75 Million
- Place of Performance: Front Royal, VA 22630
Canine Acceptance Criteria (from SOW)
Canines will undergo medical, physical, and behavioral evaluations as detailed in Attachment 1 (SOW). Key criteria include:
- Breed: Primarily Sporting/Herding varieties (e.g., Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd). Other breeds require prior approval.
- Age: 12 to 36 months at the time of evaluation.
- Medical: Must be in excellent health, free of acute/chronic disease, and medically fit for training. Requires health certificates, vaccination records, current X-rays, and a readable microchip. A 6-month warranty for pre-existing conditions is required.
- Behavioral (Detector Canine): Must exhibit an obsession to play, stable character, and willingness to overcome obstacles. Evaluated on stable character, retrieval prey drive, perseverance, and various other drives and temperaments.
Evaluation Process
CBP will award a single purchase order based on a best value tradeoff, considering price and non-price factors. The evaluation follows a three-phase approach:
- Phase I (Pass/Fail): Evaluates Breed Conformance (must match SOW specified breeds) and Availability Date (within 60 days from estimated Purchase Order date).
- Phase II (Trade-off): For offerors passing Phase I, factors are ranked in order of importance: Open Order Status (higher preference for no open CBP canine orders), Past Performance (higher preference for successful past performance providing canines to CBP within the last three years), and Price (becomes more significant for offerors with similar rankings in other factors).
- Phase III (Pass/Fail): The top-ranked offeror from Phase II will receive a purchase order for canine evaluation. Canines will be physically inspected at the CBP facility in Front Royal, VA, against SOW Section 3 requirements. Contractor is responsible for all transportation costs. Failed canines will not be accepted, and the purchase order may be terminated.
Submission Instructions & Deadlines
- Quote Submission: Offerors must complete Attachment 2 - Canine Proposal Information.xlsx and email it to DANIELLE.BRANDAOLACERDA@cbp.dhs.gov.
- Email Subject Line: Must include "Vendor Name, PR Number (ex. Doug’s dogs - PR 20141111)".
- Quote Deadline: February 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.
- Questions Deadline: February 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST. Submit questions in writing to DANIELLE.BRANDAOLACERDA@cbp.dhs.gov. No phone inquiries will be accepted.
Key Attachments
- Attachment 1 - SOW Dog Procurement FOK9 -Detection FY 26.pdf: Contains all technical requirements and canine acceptance criteria.
- Attachment 2 - Canine Proposal Information.xlsx: Required template for quote submission, detailing company, canine, and pricing information.
- 2.2.1 SOW Exhibit B.xlsx: Template for contractor personnel access to CBP facilities.