June 6, 2024

1.0 PURPOSE

The County of Los Angeles (County) Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) is releasing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from organizations that provide housing services for animals. The Department is currently in need of a housing facility that can safely, and securely house the overflow of animals from our Palmdale animal care center located at 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550. The housing facility would also be used as an adoption center. Information received in response to the RFI may be used by the County for planning purposes. Vendors are advised that the County reserves the right to use any information gathered in response to this RFI to develop future contract solicitations. This RFI does not commit the County to contract for any services whatsoever. This is a request for information ONLY. This is not a solicitation. The County shall not be liable in any way or responsible for any costs incurred in connection with the preparation, submittal, or presentation of any response to this RFI.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Department of Animal Care and Control currently has an overflow of animals. The Department has seven Animal Care Centers (ACCs) throughout the County of Los Angeles and provides adoption, housing, and medical services to animals, dispatch, and field services. The Department currently provides animal control services for 45 contract cities and all unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Annual animal intakes can exceed 30,000 per year. The Palmdale Animal Care Center located at 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550, admits about 6,000 animals annually.

3.0 SERVICES OF INTEREST

The County is surveying the market for organizations that provide animal housing. The housing conditions must include, but are not limited to:

Ensure the animal’s physiological and behavioral needs are met, including urination, defecation, temperature regulation, movement, and posture adjustments.
Facilitate conspecific social interaction and hierarchy development within or between enclosures.
Maintain cleanliness and dryness according to species requirements.
Provide adequate ventilation.
Grant animals access to food and water with easy refill and cleaning options.
Establish a secure environment preventing escape or accidental entrapment.
Eliminate sharp edges or projections that could harm animals.
Enable minimal disturbance observation of animals.
Install floor drains in every housing enclosure and aisle, along with hose and disinfectant stations.
Utilize specialized doors, hardware, and wall protection.
Use tempered glass and durable flooring to withstand wear and tear.
Employ higher-performance paints and finishes for easy cleaning.
Implement waterproof floor and wall systems.
Utilize commercial-grade dishwashers and washing machines for sanitization.
Incorporate sag-resistant ceilings and durable doors for easy cleaning.
Employ air pressurization strategies to prevent cross-contamination.
Enhance filtration to capture dust and animal hair.
Provide restrooms and break areas for staff and volunteers.
Ensure adequate and accessible parking.
Maintain basic building systems such as HVAC, water, electrical, plumbing, and trash removal, and all other building needs.
Facility must meet all ADA compliances.

4.0 INFORMATION REQUESTED

4.1 Organizational Experience and Capability

Provide a brief overview of the organization, including:

Company Operations: Describe the size of the company, the locations it serves, and its capacity to manage the County’s workload.
Organizational History: Outline the organization’s history, including the number of years it has provided housing for animals.
Structure and Leadership: Detail the organizational structure, incorporation information, and names of directors.
Future Plans: Explain the plans for continuing services over the next five years.
Physical Facilities: Describe the facilities available for animal housing, as well as those available for staff and volunteers (e.g., modular units, restrooms). Specify the maximum capacity for housing animals.

4.2 Other Features

Describe and discuss any other features, services, options, or considerations you believe would be beneficial in enhancing the Department of Animal Care and Control’s animal housing crisis.

4.3 Pricing

The cost associated with providing the infrastructure for housing Animals.

5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

5.1 Interested Vendors shall submit the following.

5.1.1 One (1) electronic response submission to the RFI via e-mail.

5.1.2 The response shall not exceed five (5) pages, including a one-page cover letter, using its company letterhead. The response shall use no smaller than 12-point font, double-spaced.

5.1.3 Responses to this RFI are due on or before ___________________ (Pacific Time)

5.1.4 Responses to this RFI are to be e-mailed to: bkim@animalcare.lacounty.gov

5.1.5 The subject line of the e-mail shall be: RFI HOUSING FOR THE OVERFLOW OF ANIMALS

5.1.6 If you have any questions about this RFI, please contact Bradley Kim at bkim@animalcare.lacounty.gov

6.0 NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS REGARDING THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT

6.1 Responses to this RFI shall become the exclusive property of the County. Responses to this RFI and information provided in response to this RFI become a matter of public record and may appear in future reports and/or requests, with the exception of those parts of each submission which are justifiably defined as business or trade secrets, and, if by the proposer, plainly marked as “Trade Secret,” “Confidential,” or “Proprietary.”

6.2 The County shall not, in any way, be liable or responsible for the disclosure of any such record or any parts thereof, if disclosure is required or permitted under the California Public Records Act or otherwise by law. A blanket statement of confidentiality or the marking of each page of the submission as confidential shall not be deemed sufficient notice of exception. The Respondents must specifically label only those provisions of their respective submission that are “Trade Secrets,” “Confidential,” or “Proprietary” in nature.