INTRODUCTION The County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (Department) is seeking qualified Vendors to enter into Master Agreements with the County who can provide Trailing Bloodhound Canine and Handler Investigative Services on an as-needed basis. The services of the canine and handler team are needed for scent-specific searches to look for a person's specific scent signature obtained by a scent source. Contractor shall respond to and provide handler and scent-trailing/tracking canine to investigative locations, or related areas, provide services throughout the Los Angeles County area on an as-needed basis, make court appearances when required, as approved by the Department. MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS Interested and qualified Vendors that can demonstrate their ability to successfully provide the required services outlined in Appendix B, Statement of Work, of this RFSQ are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), provided they meet the following Minimum Mandatory Qualifications: 1.4.1 Vendor must identify and provide one (1) handler and one (1) scent trailing/tracking bloodhound canine, and any necessary tools, materials, and/or equipment to provide services as described in Appendix B, Statement of Work, of this RFSQ. 1.4.2 Vendor's canine must be (1) certified in scent-specific man-trailing/tracking by a canine facility which certifies canines for scent trailing/tracking, (2) trained in a variety of geographical terrains and the handler must be in the physical condition to search these different types of terrains with the canine, and (3) up-to-date on all vaccinations including rabies. Documentation of vaccinations and certifications shall be submitted in Vendor's SOQ (Exhibit 14). Certifications shall be verified during the SOQ qualification review. 1.4.3 Vendor's identified handler must be (1) certified in scent-specific man-trailing with the Vendor's identified canine by a canine training facility which certifies handlers for scent trailing/tracking, and (2) certified in and have a current basic first aid and CPR certificate. Certifications shall be submitted in Vendor's SOQ (Exhibit 14) and shall be verified during the SOQ qualification review. 1.4.4 Vendor must be available 24/7/365, have and maintain in good working order a vehicle for transportation to respond and provide handler and scent-trailing canine investigative services throughout the County as required by the Department on an as-needed basis. RFSQ INITIAL TIMETABLE The timetable for the release of this RFSQ is as follows: • Release of RFSQ December 22, 2010 • Written Questions Due January 7, 2011 • Request for a Solicitation Requirements Review Due January 5, 2011 • Questions and Responses Released January 18, 2011 • SOQs due February 1, 2011 The submittal date is an initial due date and those not received by that date may not be reviewed initially; however, they may be reviewed at a later date to determine if they meet the qualifications listed. The solicitation will remain open until the needs of the Department are met. RFSQ RELEASE The RFSQ will be released and posted on the County's website on December 22, 2010, and will be accessible via the Department's website at http://www.lasd.org/lasd_contracts/info.html. If the Vendor wishes to access the RFSQ via the above-referenced Department's website, the Vendor MUST inform the Department's Contracts Unit Analyst at [email protected] of Vendor's name, mailing address, email address, fax number, and telephone number. SOQ SUBMISSION INFORMATION The original SOQ and three (3) numbered copies shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope, plainly marked in the upper left-hand corner with the name and address of the Vendor and bear the words: "SOQ FOR TRAILING BLOODHOUND CANINE AND HANDLER INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES" The SOQ and any related information shall be delivered or mailed to: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Contracts Unit Attention: Rowena Asai, Contracts Analyst 4700 Ramona Boulevard, Room 214 Monterey Park, California 91754 DUE DATE: February 1, 2011 TIME: 3:00 p.m. – PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (PST) It is the sole responsibility of the submitting Vendor to ensure that its SOQ is received on or before the submission deadline. Submitting Vendors shall bear all risks associated with delays in delivery by any person or entity, including the U. S. Mail. No facsimile (fax) or electronic mail (e-mail) copies will be accepted. CONTACT WITH COUNTY PERSONNEL Any contact regarding this RFSQ or any matter relating hereto must be in writing and may be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed as follows: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Contracts Unit Attention: Rowena Asai, Contract Analyst 4700 Ramona Boulevard, Room 214 Monterey Park, California 91754 Fax Number: (323) 415-1033 E-mail address: [email protected] Vendors are specifically directed not to contact any other County person or agent for any matter related to this RFSQ. If it is discovered that a Vendor contacted and/or received information from any County person or agent, other than the person specified above, regarding this RFSQ, County, in its sole determination, may disqualify Vendor and their SOQ from further consideration.