How to bid on Green Canines for the Department of State

What the agency is buying

The U.S. Department of State needs 40 trained detection canines for law enforcement operations in Costa Rica. These canines will be used by various Costa Rican law enforcement agencies for tracking operations. This is a firm-fixed-price contract, meaning the price you quote will cover all costs.

Your quote must include the canines themselves, necessary equipment, vaccines, more than a 10-day supply of food, and delivery of all canines to San José International Airport. There will be no cost-reimbursement items under this contract.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on September 03, 2026. All proposals must be submitted by September 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. It is important to submit your proposal on time, as late submissions are typically not accepted.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for businesses that specialize in training and supplying detection canines. Vendors should have experience providing trained animals, along with all necessary support items like equipment, vaccines, and food. Experience with international logistics, specifically delivery to an airport, is also important.

The government will use a best value tradeoff process for award. Technical acceptability and past performance are weighted more heavily than price, so firms with a strong track record in this specific area will be competitive.

How to respond

To access the solicitation documents, click “View original source” above. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account on the portal to view the documents, though this is not always required.

Your proposal must include a technical proposal demonstrating your understanding and capability to meet the requirements, 3 to 5 past performance references formatted as specified in the solicitation, and a pricing proposal using the provided Microsoft Excel matrix. Ensure your pricing aligns with the Independent Government Cost Estimate.

Tips for a competitive response

Carefully review the entire Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure your proposal addresses every requirement. Failure to comply with the SOW can lead to your proposal being deemed technically unacceptable. Pay close attention to the details regarding canine specifications, equipment, vaccines, food supply, and delivery.

Since technical acceptability and past performance are weighted more heavily than price, clearly articulate your firm's expertise and experience in your technical proposal. Provide strong past performance references that are relevant to the scope and scale of this project. Even though price is less weighted, ensure your pricing is competitive and clearly presented in the Excel matrix.