How to bid on K-9 Support Services for Invasive Species Protection with the Department of the Interior

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The Department of the Interior is seeking information from firms that can provide canine inspection and handler services. These services are needed to help prevent the spread of invasive species, specifically the Little Fire Ant and Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This effort is critical during disaster recovery operations following Super Typhoon Sinlaku and Bavi, which have increased biosecurity risks.

This is a market research request, not a direct solicitation for a quote or proposal. The agency is gathering information to understand available capabilities and to help finalize its requirements for a potential future procurement.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The deadline for submitting your response is August 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. All capability statements and any questions or advice must be emailed by this time.

After the deadline, the Department of the Interior will review the submitted information. This review will help them determine their procurement strategy, including whether to conduct a small business set-aside, full and open competition, or sole-source procurement, or to use an existing contract vehicle.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for firms with an active SAM UEI that specialize in providing K-9 services for invasive species protection. Relevant experience includes canine inspection and handler services, particularly in environmental or biosecurity contexts.

Firms with established government contract vehicles, such as GSA Multiple Award Schedule or GSA OASIS+, that the Department of the Interior can utilize, are encouraged to highlight these in their response. This is a good fit for businesses of various sizes, including small businesses, 8(a), HUBZone, SDB, SDVOSB, WOSB, and VOSB, as the agency is using responses to determine its overall strategy.

How to respond

To respond, you must email a capability statement to [email protected]. The subject header of your email should be "EMERGENCY - K-9 Support Services Invasive Species Protection."

Your capability statement should be no more than ten pages long and must include your organization's name, address, phone number, email, point of contact, and SAM UEI. You should also detail any relevant government contract vehicles, provide a brief summary of your capabilities, describe similar past work with customer names, dates, and values, and state the number of dogs and handlers available for this project. Finally, include your business size classification.

You may also submit questions or advice for the government to consider, with no page limit, covering topics like pricing structures, animal housing/care needs, work duration restrictions for animals/handlers, insights on transferring animals between sites, and concerns regarding animal transportation to CNMI.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

When preparing your capability statement, clearly articulate your firm's specific experience with invasive species detection using K-9 units. Provide concrete examples of past projects, highlighting the scope, success, and your role.

Ensure your response directly addresses all requested information points, such as the number of available dogs and handlers, and any relevant contract vehicles. Since this is an emergency requirement, emphasize your capacity for rapid deployment and your logistical capabilities for operating in remote or disaster-affected areas.

If submitting advice or questions, focus on practical considerations that demonstrate your understanding of the unique challenges of this type of work, especially in an island environment. This shows proactive engagement and expertise beyond just stating capabilities.