U -- INTENT TO AWARD

The General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service (GSA/PBS) intends to issue a contract to the Auburn University's Institute for Biological Detection Systems (IBDS) under the authority of FAR 6.302-3. Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. This procurement is to obtain services to establish, manage, and run a national Explosive Detector Dog (EDD) training program for the Federal Protective Service (FPS). In order to successfully meet the demands of the scope of work, the vendor must have: extensive experience in EDD and handler training derived through recognized formal training and or employment; experience in course development for canine training; EDD handler training; and canine/handler supervision/management. The vendor must host at the vendors location an 8-10 week course of instruction for the purpose of training the EDD and FPS handler as an efficient operational team. The instruction must, at a minimum, cover: basic obedience; detection training techniques; first aid; and any other subjects as deemed appropriate by FPS personnel. The EDD must be trained on live explosives identified by FPS and detect them to the 95% proficiency level. Canines must be available for training on request through an established veterinarian supervised breeding program. The breed of choice is the Labrador Retriever. Veterinarian support must be available for care of the EDDs as well for instruction on topics identified by FPS. Additionally, the vendor must be partnered with a Veterinarian school in order to complete research projects on various areas of interest to include canine odor recognition, canine longevity, canine sports medicine, canine conditioning and stamina, and other canine related research and development projects. All instruction provided FPS EDD handlers must be capable of award of college level credit. On site lodging and dining facilities must be available at the vendors location. The housing should consist of private rooms with private bathrooms, maid service, and laundry facilities. The proposed contract action is for services for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. The government will consider all inquiries received by close of business Friday, September 27, 2002. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted by FAX at (202)-208-7413 or by email.