This Sources Sought Notice is posted under SAM.gov, under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332311. This Sources Sought Notice is part of the U.S. Government's market research efforts to identify capable vendors for supplying prefabricated kennels to support a joint effort between the Counter-Narcotics and Special Investigation Team (CSI) and the Mexican Navy (Marina) to increase the number of detection canines deployed in strategic locations across the country. The information gathered will help inform future procurement strategies and requirements.
This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, IFB, or RFP, if any is issued.
Respondents are encouraged to review Attachment 1 - Statement of Work – Draft for detailed requirements and deliverables. This Sources Sought is issued in conjuction with the GSA eBuy Sources Sought RFQ1768829 Prefabricated Canine Kennels .
Responding to this Sources Sought
- Responses are limited to no more than 20 pages in length using 12 point Font Size. The Government prefers that your firm submit its response in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or a combination of both and the document must be searchable. The response package shall be sent by email to: Contracting Officer Alexander Bring (BringAG@state.gov)
- Please identify the following about your company:
- Name of Company, Unique Entity ID (UEI), and CAGE Code
- Point of contact name, phone number, and email address
- Business Type:
- Small Business
- Small Disadvantaged Business
- 8(a) – certified Small Disadvantaged Business
- HUBZone
- Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)
- Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)
- Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
- Other than small business
- Response should provide a brief overview of your company, including your experience in supplying prefabricated kennels for canines.
- Appendix A includes a general description of the deliverables for this requirement. Interested parties must provide evidence that they are capable of shipping the required canine equipment to the specified destinations, as well as the associated installation services. The capabilities statement should include narrative examples of delivering canine equipment to Mexico or other OCONUS locations and providing installation of the equipment.
- Responses should include a list of existing contract vehicles through which the US Department of State can access your company’s products and services (i.e. GSA FSS, IDIQs, etc.). In addition, please provide a list of at least five non-governmental companies to which you have sold prefabricated kennels. If possible, include the approximate amount of each sale.
- Respondents should address the following questions in their responses:
- Is your company the manufacturer of all the products included in Attachment 1 of the Statement of Work (SOW)?
- If your company is not the manufacturer, identify the manufacturers’ names, addresses, and other pertinent information. Are all manufacturers U.S. small business concerns?
- Do you have any certifications or accreditations relevant to kennel manufacturing?
- Are your kennels compliant with any specific Mexican standards or regulations for animal housing?
- What types of prefabricated kennels do you offer (e.g., single-unit, multi-unit, modular designs)?
- Do you have a catalog or product brochure available for review?
- What materials are used in the construction of your prefabricated kennels (e.g., steel, aluminum, composite materials)?
- Are the materials durable, weather-resistant, and suitable for long-term outdoor use? What is the lifespan of a prefabricated kennel?
- Given the varying climates across Mexico, is there a universal kennel design that would be compatible with all the locations identified in the Statement of Work (SOW)? Alternatively, would you recommend the Government consider multiple designs tailored to the specific environmental conditions of each location?
- Considering the list of equipment included in Appendix A, what is the estimated lead time for delivery?
- Do you have experience shipping prefabricated kennels to Mexico?
- Are you familiar with customs and import regulations for shipping prefabricated kennels to Mexico?
- What shipping methods do you use for international deliveries, specifically to Mexico?
- Can you provide an estimate of the shipping costs for delivering your products to Mexico? Are there any additional fees or charges associated with international shipping to Mexico?
- Can you accommodate staggered delivery schedules if certain locations require kennels sooner than others?
- Would your company need to subcontract any part of the work? Please explain.
- Are the kennels fully prefabricated or require assembly on-site?
- What tools or expertise are needed for assembly, and do you provide installation services?
- In case the kennels are assembled on site, do you have personnel that can travel to all the locations for assembly? If so, are there any limitations that would keep them from traveling? Do they speak Spanish?
- Alternatively, do you have a Mexican associate that can do the assembly on site? How many days does assembly on site take?
- Can you provide detailed assembly instructions or training for local teams to install the kennels themselves? Do you recommend this option? How would this affect the kennels’ warranty?
- What does the end user need to build on site to permit the vendor’s installation of the kennels?
- When delivering to end user: what information do you need to ease the delivery, unloading on site? (Street size, entrance height, etc.)
- What equipment do you need to unload on site?
- Are the products sold by your company covered under warranty in Mexico? If so, what is the length of the warranty offered? Are repairs handled in-country?
- Are equipment manuals provided in Spanish?
- Do you offer customer support services in Spanish for clients in Mexico?
- Did your company identify any areas in the draft specifications that present excessive risks or other concerns? If so, please provide detailed information and suggested mitigation.
- Based on your experience, what are the best practices for managing multi-location deliveries in Mexico?
- What recommendations do you have for efficiently coordinating deliveries to multiple locations within Mexico?
- Are there any logistical challenges or risks we should anticipate, and how can they be mitigated?
Response Submission Deadline
Please provide your responses to this Source Sought by August 15, 2025. Sources Sought Submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be sent to Alexander Bring (BringAG@state.gov), with Prefabricated Canine Kennels Sources Sought #19AQMM25NPrefab in the subject line.
