Explosive Detection Canines

The purpose of amendment one is to respond to vendors questions: The purpose of amendment one is to respond to vendors questions: Any reference to "NIST" hereafter refers to the National Institute of Standards & Technology Police Department, Department of Commerce. 1.Question: The Scope of Work states that the contractor must supply a - Green Dog but further states that the dog must be able to search buildings, areas, vehicles and have basic obedience training. Please clarify what you consider a - Green Dog. - A "Green Dog" does not have to be imprinted on the explosive odors and derivatives at time of purchase. They must pass an evaluation of hunt/prey drive, socialization with humans and other animals, and ability to work/search in different structures and locations, and trained on a passive response. 2.Question: Specific requirements are for the dogs to have a current health certificate. Please specify health requirements for the dogs. - The Contractor must provide immunization records to NIST at the time of selection of a dog. This must be provided for each selected dog. The immunization records must include a complete record of all shots given to the dog to gain admittance to the United States (if imported) - Current X-rays (taken within 45 days of delivery) of elbows and hips must be provided by the Contractor to NIST at the time of selection of a dog. This information must be provided for each selected dog. - The Contractor must replace any selected dog that develops hip or elbow Dysplasia or any other disease unrelated to injury, which occurs within two (2) years of purchase. The replacement must be made at no additional charge to NIST. - A veterinarian contracted by NIST will examine all selected dogs. The NIST Police Canine Section Supervisor or designee and the veterinarian will make the final decision on the health of the dog, and can reject any dog based on his/her examination. The cost of this examination will be the responsibility of NIST. - The immunization records and X-rays of a selected dog will become the property of NIST. If a dog is returned to the Contractor, the immunization records and X-rays will be returned to the Contractor. - All selected dogs must have all four canine teeth intact. If NIST selects a dog with a missing or broken canine tooth, the Contractor must pay to have the missing or broken canine tooth replaced with one made of stainless steel, by a licensed veterinarian chosen by the Contractor. If the same replaced canine tooth should break during training, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to replace the broken tooth. Once the canine training course commences, any intact canine teeth that break will be the responsibility of NIST to replace, except in the situation indicated above. - Dogs must be no younger than 1 year old and no older than 3 years old. Documentation attesting to the age of the dog must be provided to NIST at the time of selection. - Dogs must weigh between fifty (50) and ninety (90) pounds. - Contractor must inform NIST of any dog that was rejected or returned from another entity, and the reason(s) for the rejection or return. 3.Question: Please specify the types of explosives the dogs are to be trained on. - Green Dogs do not have to be imprinted on the explosives or derivatives at time of purchase. Currently our dogs are imprinted on smokeless powder, black powder, C-4, Water Gel, TNT, Det Cord (RDX/PETN), Safety Fuse, Unigel Dynamite, Sodium and Potassium Chlorate, Ammonium Nitrate, and Symtex. 4.Question: At what maximum distance from the handler will the canine be required to work off-leash - The off-leash work distance can be flexible depending on the type of search (internal,external, vehicle etc) and the extent of the canines response to verbal commands from the handler. Outside searches of open areas are normally conducted on a 30 ft. leash, while interior and vehicle searches are normally conducted on a 6ft. leash. Working a dog off leash shoud be done where the canine remains in plain view of the handler, and can be recalled in a timely manner and returned to the control of a leash.