The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), Fort Bragg, North Carolina intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Vohne Liche Kennels, Inc., under the authority of FAR 19.1406, to provide Multi-Purpose Canine Handling Training, Canines, and Supporting Equipment. Vohne Liche Kennels, Inc., 7953 N. Old Route 31, Denver, IN 46926, is the only known Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concern with the capability of meeting this current requirement. FAR 19.1406 -- Sole Source Awards to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns (SDVOSB), provides agencies the authority to negotiate exclusively with an SDVOSB when there is only one known SDVOSB with the capabilities the Government requires. This is not a competitive solicitation and quotes are not being requested. However, any other responsible SDVOSB believing itself capable of meeting the requirement may submit sufficient technical and program documentation to establish the potential of meeting the Government's needs. To be considered, any such documentation shall be submitted by 1 April 2008 at 2:00 PM EST. A determination not to compete the proposed purchase order amongst SDVOSB's based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive SDVOSB procurement for this one-time training requirement or to proceed on a sole source basis. This acquisition is being processed under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The applicable NAICS code is 812910. Interested SDVOSB's who believe they are capable of providing the required equipment should submit their technical documentation in writing to Ms. Barbara Bowles via email at
[email protected]. A firm-fixed price commercial purchase order will be awarded NLT 3 April 2008. REQUIREMENT: This requirement is for one class of 12 soldiers to be conducted beginning 7 April 2008. The course is fully planned and resourced with the capability of training a soldier, with no Canine experience, to handle a dog in all combat situations. The course will provide pre-trained Multi-Purpose Canines capable of forensic Explosive Ordinance Detection (EOD) for area, route, vehicle and building clearance, Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE), pursuit/tracking, patrol, and bite/hold capability to restrain fleeing subjects by using less than lethal means. The Program of Instruction (POI) shall be approved by the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Manager and shall consist of following. (1) Tracking in Urban and Rural Terrain; (2) Explosive Detection; (3) Obedience and Obstacle Course; (4) Bite/Muzzle Work; (5) Building Searches: (6) Area Search; (7) Health and Care of a Working Dog; (8) Mounted and Dismounted Infiltration; (9) Combat Mission Scenarios; and (10) Vehicle Searches. The contractor shall also provide all facilities required for the training; joint lodging for the handlers and dogs, all related equipment, to include DOD approved transportation kennels; equipment storage; and an approved storage facility for Government-owned weapons and ammunition. Canines shall pass USSOCOM-approved assessment and selection criteria for breed, physical appearance, size, weight, and health standards. FUTURE COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION: It is the US Army Special Operations Command's intent to issue a competitive solicitation within the next 90 days for a five-year indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide this training, canines, and equipment. All responses received will be used as market research to determine and support the set-aside procedures that will be used for that solicitation.