How to bid on Trailing Bloodhound Canine & Handler Investigative Services for LA County Sheriff

What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department needs qualified vendors to provide trailing bloodhound canine and handler investigative services. These services will support the Department's Homicide Bureau throughout Los Angeles County on an as-needed basis. This includes responding to investigative locations and potentially making court appearances.

This opportunity is for firms or individuals who can offer specialized canine services for scent-specific man-trailing and tracking. It provides a chance to work with a major law enforcement agency in a critical support role.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSQ) was released on August 28, 2014. The deadline for submitting your Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) was October 10, 2014, by 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Any SOQs received after this date and time were not accepted and were returned unopened.

This solicitation is now closed for new submissions based on the original timetable. However, the plain-english summary indicates that responses are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline, and to contact Jennifer Russell at [email protected]. Vendors should clarify the current status of this opportunity directly with the contact person.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for professional service providers specializing in canine investigative services. Specifically, vendors must be able to provide at least one certified scent-trailing bloodhound and a certified handler. The canine must be certified in scent-specific man-trailing/tracking and up-to-date on all vaccinations. The handler must also be certified in scent-specific man-trailing with the identified canine and hold basic first aid and CPR certifications.

Vendors must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and possess a reliable vehicle for transportation throughout Los Angeles County. This is a highly specialized professional service requiring specific certifications and constant availability.

How to respond

To access the full details and documents for this solicitation, click “View original source” on the bid card. This will take you to the LA County portal. From there, click the solicitation number to view all public information and download necessary documents.

The original submission instructions required an original SOQ and three numbered hard copies, plus three compact discs with the SOQ in electronic format. These were to be enclosed in a sealed envelope or box, clearly marked with specific text, and delivered or mailed to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Contracts Unit, Room 214, 4700 Ramona Boulevard, Monterey Park, California 91754, Attention: Jennifer Russell. No facsimile or email copies were accepted for the original submission. Given the past deadline, direct contact with Jennifer Russell via email at [email protected] is advised to understand current submission procedures.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure all required certifications for both the bloodhound canine and the handler are current and clearly documented. This includes canine scent-trailing/tracking certification, handler scent-trailing certification, and handler first aid/CPR certification. Provide clear evidence of these in your submission.

Highlight your team's availability (24/7/365) and ability to respond throughout Los Angeles County. Detail the experience of both the handler and the canine in various geographical terrains. Provide a clear description of your transportation capabilities. Since this is an as-needed service, emphasize your readiness and reliability.

If the opportunity is still open for rolling submissions, consider contacting the listed point of contact, Jennifer Russell, to confirm current requirements and any updated procedures before preparing a response.