Award Kenneling for LALB

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses from the Government to questions submitted by offerors regarding RFQ 70B03C26Q00000008 for Kenneling Services (LAX/LALB).

• Kenneling Duration: The duration any CBP canine stays at the facility will vary based on operational needs and is not fixed by the contract. Historical data on typical lengths of stay will not be provided.
• Incumbent/Prior Contracts: This is a new competitive procurement. Information on prior contracts (numbers, values, periods of performance) is available through public reporting tools (e.g., FPDS, USASpending). Offerors should base proposals on the current RFQ and SOW.
• Scope of Work: Offerors should rely solely on the current RFQ's Statement of Work (SOW) and other solicitation documents. Prior contracts may have had similar elements, but the current SOW governs.
• Minimum Proposal Contents: A complete proposal must include the completed RFQ/SF-18, required representations/certifications, pricing using the Kennel Price Quote Form, and a Technical Capability Statement addressing all SOW requirements (facilities, operations, security, regulatory compliance, staffing, location).
• Veterinarian Use: Contractors are responsible for arranging veterinary services as directed by the Government. While contractors may propose using a USDA-licensed veterinarian, all services must comply with the SOW and applicable regulations, and any funded services require pre-authorization by CBP.
• Facility Readiness: The contractor must have the facility ready to receive CBP dogs by the start of the ordering period (January 29, 2026), even if dogs are not immediately placed there. Actual ordering and utilization are at the Government's discretion.
• Facility Upgrades: The Government will not separately reimburse for construction, remodeling, or capital improvements. All costs for meeting or exceeding SOW requirements, including voluntary buildouts, must be factored into the firm-fixed daily rates and other proposed pricing.

These answers clarify requirements and expectations for offerors. They emphasize reliance on the current RFQ and SOW, detail minimum proposal components, and clarify cost responsibilities for facility upgrades. Offerors are responsible for reviewing all solicitation documents to ensure a complete and compliant submission.

Statement of Work (SOW)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for commercial kennel facilities and related services to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Canine Enforcement Program (CEP) at the Los Angeles Field Office, serving the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Los Angeles/Long Beach (LALB) Seaport.

• Provide secure, safe, and insured boarding and care for CBP-owned canines.

• Maintain housing capacity for 25-35 canines, with surge capacity for an additional 7 during peak periods.

• Ensure the kennel facility is located within a five (5) mile radius of 11099 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045.

• Facility operations must allow handlers to retrieve canines within 5 minutes of notification and 10 minutes of arrival.

• Provide all labor, materials, supervision, facilities, and personnel necessary for kenneling and feeding.

• Kennel Operations, Access, and Security: 24/7 operations, secure facility, controlled access for authorized personnel only, prohibition of public access or publicity involving CBP canines.

• Facility and Run Requirements: Secure, quiet location; individual runs (min. 24 sq ft, min. 3 ft dimension); non-porous sleeping platforms or doghouses; adequate ventilation and temperature control (45°F-85°F); emergency backup generator; security fencing; 24/7 video surveillance.

• Cleaning, Sanitation, Disinfection, and Pest Control: Maintain a clean and sanitized facility, daily and weekly deep cleaning, use of EPA/State-approved chemicals, rodent and pest-free environment.

• Health, Isolation, Bathing, and Medications: Maintain first-aid kits, observe canines for illness/injury, immediate reporting of issues, pre-authorization for non-emergency medical treatment, isolation area for quarantined/medically treated animals.

• Food and Feeding: Provide all necessary food, supplies, and equipment; feed twice daily; adhere to specific nutritional guidelines; year-round heartworm and hookworm preventive medication.

• Safety, Staffing, Personnel, and Records: Maintain emergency procedures, business/liability insurance, background checks for personnel with access to canines or sensitive areas, minimum staffing levels (6 AM - 7 PM daily), comprehensive record-keeping and monthly reporting.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's kennel facility within a five (5) mile radius of 11099 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Local travel for veterinary visits may be required.

• Period of Performance: Base Period: January 29, 2026 - January 28, 2027, with four (4) one-year option periods extending through January 28, 2031.

• Compliance with Animal Welfare Act and National Canine Enforcement Handbook.

• No reimbursement for construction or remodeling of the kennel facility.

• Contractor shall not use CBP canines, personnel, or facility in advertising.

• Prompt reporting of security issues.

• Parking for Government vehicles required.

• Points of contact will be provided at award.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial kenneling services for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) canines. The government is procuring professional kenneling services to house and care for approximately 25-35 CBP-owned canines, with a surge capacity for up to 7 additional, at a secure and compliant facility. This document constitutes the only solicitation; no separate written solicitation will be issued.

• Services: Secure housing (one canine per run), daily feeding, potable water access, routine cleaning and sanitation, isolation/quarantine capability, incident reporting, and coordination of emergency veterinary care.

• Access: 24/7 controlled access for CBP personnel with retrieval within SOW timelines.

• Compliance: Services must comply with the Animal Welfare Act (9 CFR 3.1 and 3.11) and the National Canine Enforcement Program Handbook (HB 3200 07B).

• Facility Location: Must be located within a 5-mile radius of 11099 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Offerors must provide facility address and evidence of mileage.

• Deliverables: Facility description (floor plans, security, surveillance, fencing, climate control, backup power), operations plan, security/emergency response plan, regulatory compliance documentation, potable water certification, employee education plan, escaped dog plan, and animal injury/illness protocols.

• Contract Type: Single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with firm fixed price task orders.

• Ordering Period: January 29, 2026, to January 28, 2031.

• Pricing: Firm fixed daily rate per dog for the 5-year IDIQ. Pricing must be all-inclusive of required services.

• Submission Deadline: January 8, 2026, 03:00 pm PST.

• Submission Method: Email proposals to christopher.patao@cbp.dhs.gov with the subject line: “Proposal-Kenneling Services (LAX/LALB)-[Company Name]-70B03C26Q00000008”.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

  • Technical Acceptability (Pass/Fail): Demonstrated compliance with SOW requirements, including capacity, staffing, facility description, operations, security, regulatory compliance, proximity, and retrieval timelines.
  • Price Reasonableness: Evaluation for fairness, accuracy, and reasonableness.

• Proposal Validity: Minimum 90 calendar days.

• This RFQ is not a small business set-aside.

• Offerors must be determined responsible per FAR 9.104 (e.g., SAM active, no exclusions, capacity to perform).

• Attachments: Statement of Work (SOW), Pricing Form, Wage Determination (Los Angeles County, CA), and Contract Clauses.

• Invoicing: Via Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP); Net 30 from acceptance.

• Confidentiality: No public identification or media use featuring CBP canines, CEOs, or the facility without written approval.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains the "Contract Clauses and Solicitation Provisions" for the opportunity. It details the terms and conditions that will govern the contract, including various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses and Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) clauses.

• Section I: Schedules - Outlines the contract type (5-Year IDIQ), minimum guarantee ($10,000), maximum amount ($1,800,000), ordering period (60 months), and types of task orders (firm-fixed-price).
• Section II: Contract Clauses - Incorporates numerous FAR and HSAR clauses by reference, covering a wide range of topics including:
  • Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO)
  • Clauses incorporated by reference (FAR 52.252-2, FAR 52.212-5)
  • Ordering limitations and indefinite quantity provisions
  • Contract terms and conditions for commercial items
  • System for Award Management (SAM) maintenance
  • Subcontracting limitations
  • Minimum wages for contractor workers (EO 14026)
  • Security prohibitions and exclusions (e.g., related to covered telecommunications equipment, Kaspersky Lab, and unmanned aircraft systems)
  • Subcontracts for commercial products and services
  • Contract type, term, and contracting officer's authority
  • Electronic invoicing and payment requirements (IPP)
  • Government consent of publication/endorsement
  • Contract services not requiring background investigation
• Section III: Solicitation Provisions - Includes provisions related to:
  • Solicitation provisions incorporated by reference
  • Prohibitions on contracting with certain entities
  • Information regarding responsibility matters
  • Representations regarding delinquent tax liability or felony conviction
  • Type of contract
  • Authorized deviations in provisions
  • System for Award Management (SAM) registration and identifiers
  • Instructions to offerors for commercial products and services
  • Evaluation factors (Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable - LPTA)
  • Security prohibitions and exclusions representations and certifications

This document is critical for bidders as it defines the legal and contractual framework of the opportunity. It outlines the specific terms, conditions, requirements, and prohibitions that will apply to any awarded contract. Bidders must carefully review these clauses to understand their obligations, potential risks, and the evaluation criteria for their offers. Key areas of focus include subcontracting limitations, wage requirements, security restrictions, and the evaluation methodology (LPTA).

Attachments referenced within this document include:

• Statement of Work (SOW) – Kenneling Services (LAX/LALB)
• Pricing Form
• Wage Determination – Los Angeles County, CA

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "PRICE QUOTE FORM" for Canine Kennel Services provided to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It is intended for quoters to submit their firm-fixed pricing per day, per canine for each contract period.

• Vendor Information: Requires Company Name, Address, SAM UEI #, Phone, Email, Point of Contact, and Title.
• Pricing Table: A table to be completed by the vendor, detailing the "Kennel Rate Per Day, Per Canine ($)" for the Base Period and four Option Years.

1. Submit firm-fixed pricing per day, per canine for each contract period.
2. Prices must encompass all costs associated with services outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW).
3. No additional charges outside the firm-fixed per-day rate will be permitted.

This form is essential for bidders to provide their pricing structure as required by the solicitation. Accurate completion of this form, including all vendor information and the detailed pricing table, is necessary for proposal submission and evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Register of Wage Determinations under the Service Contract Act. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in the specified area (California County of Los Angeles).

• Lists numerous occupational codes and titles.
• Specifies the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Includes notes regarding specific services (Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Laundry) and potential additional wage determinations.
• Details benefits such as Health & Welfare, Vacation, and Holidays.
• Outlines procedures for conforming unlisted classifications (SF-1444).
• Mentions Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage) and their applicability.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under the contract. It establishes the baseline wages and benefits that must be paid to employees, directly impacting proposal pricing and overall cost estimation. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages meet or exceed these determined rates.