[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57401-57402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22639]



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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2013-0064]


Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) 
Opportunity With the Department of Homeland Security for the Production 
and Associated Research of Purpose Bred Explosive Detection Canines

AGENCY: Science and Technology Directorate, Transportation Security 
Administration Office of Law Enforcement--Federal Air Marshal Service, 
Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology 
Directorate (DHS S&T), located in Washington, DC, and the 
Transportation Security Administration/Office of Law Enforcement--
Federal Air Marshal Service (TSA/OLE-FAMS), specifically the Canine 
Training and Evaluation Section at Lackland Air Force Base in San 
Antonio, TX, are seeking industry collaborators to aid in continuing 
the use of selective breeding and data gathering to determine the most 
significant genetic and behavioral characteristics of explosive 
detection canines. The role of the industry collaborator(s) in this 
CRADA will be to continue breeding a colony of 8 Labrador Retrievers 
based on approved selective criteria, gather data based on existing 
Government established protocols, and to partner with other 
institutions to scientifically advance the selective breeding of 
purpose bred explosives detection canines based on existing data 
supplemented by the continued gathering of data associated with the 
observation and measurement of canine health and performance.
    DHS S&T and TSA/OLE-FAMS are seeking CRADA collaborators that own 
or have access to the technological components for, have the 
technological expertise in, and have proven track records of success in 
the fields of: High quality husbandry for the breeding of canines; 
understanding, collection and analysis of quantitative behavior trait 
measurement; application of quantitative techniques to improve genetic 
lines (Inbreeding Coefficients, Estimated Breeding Values, Linkage 
Analysis, Selection Indexes, etc); knowledge of advanced techniques 
(prenatal imprinting, olfactory imprinting, maternal oriented social 
learning, litter oriented social learning, early environmental 
conditioning, self search-self reward) to ensure proper canine 
development and its potential epigenetic impact, and experience in 
preparing dogs for consignment evaluations by TSA/OLE-FAMS, and other 
DHS stakeholder community operational canine program evaluators.
    The proposed term of the CRADA can be up to thirty-six (36) months.

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 18, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments and requests to participate to Mr. Don 
Roberts, (ATTN: Don Roberts, Mailing Address: S&T EXD Stop 0206, 
Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane, Washington, DC 20528-
0202).
    Submit electronic comments and other data to 
[email protected]. The preferred method of communication for this 
Notice is through electronic correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information on DHS CRADAs: Marlene 
Owens, (202) 254-6671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Requirements

Potential Collaborators

    1. Should possess facilities to safely provide for the care and 
housing of 8 adult breeding females and up to 50 puppies each year. 
This should include housing areas, working/search areas, exercise 
areas, and separate whelping/weaning areas.
    2. Should have experience and knowledge in how to properly rear a 
dog from birth to a year of age specifically to enhance its potential 
to be an effective explosives detection dog.
    3. Should be veterinarians or have close working relationships with 
veterinarians familiar with canine reproduction and maintaining the 
health of developing working detection dogs. This should include 
veterinary expertise in screening for genetic faults that would 
preclude such dogs from being future working dogs (hip structure, elbow 
structure, no ocular anomalies or other genetic disease known to impact 
this breed).
    4. Should be able to demonstrate their involvement and 
understanding in current behavioral canine research and be able to 
adapt their rearing schemes based on DHS S&T sponsored research by 
other academic institutions.
    5. Should be able to demonstrate familiarity with and the ability 
to conduct ongoing behavioral testing of developing canines in the 
context of their potential to be working explosives detection dogs.
    6. Should be able to demonstrate the skill and knowledge required 
to perform advanced genetic analysis on this population of dogs 
(Estimated Breeding Values, Linkage Analysis, Inbreeding Coefficients, 
Selection Indexes, Quantitative Genetic analysis, Molecular Genetic 
analysis).
    7. Should be able to demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to 
maintain computer databases to track all data associated with this 
population.
    DHS S&T/TSA/OLE-FAMS Role (includes but not limited to):
    1. Provide existing data in the form of paper record and/or 
database information on over 500 dogs bred since 2002;
    2. Provide TSA subject matter experts to demonstrate, coordinate, 
and educate on how prior data was collected;
    3. Provide previously written reports that suggest new and improved 
methodology of collecting future canine behavior data; and
    4. Provide 8 breeding female Labrador Retrievers from proven stock 
of detection canines.
    Period of Performance: 36 months from date of Agreement.

Selection Criteria

    DHS S&T/TSA/OLE-FAMS reserves the right to select CRADA 
collaborators for all, some, or none of the proposals in response to 
this notice. DHS S&T/TSA/OLE-FAMS will provide no funding for 
reimbursement of proposal development costs. Proposals (or any other 
material) submitted in response to this notice will not be returned. 
Proposals submitted are expected to be unclassified.
    DHS S&T/TSA/OLE-FAMS will select proposals at their sole discretion 
on the basis of:
    1. How well the proposal communicates the collaborators' 
understanding of and ability to meet the CRADAs goals and proposed 
timeline.
    2. How well the proposal addresses the following criteria:
    a. Capability of the collaborator to provide equipment, materials, 
and personnel for the proposed effort.
    b. Capability of the collaborator to meet the requirements for 
canine development, behavioral testing, data analysis, and submission 
of supporting data and documents fulfilling the stated requirements.
    c. Preliminary data or results which support the requirements 
outlined above.
    Participation in this CRADA does not imply the future purchase of 
any materials, equipment, or services from the collaborating entities, 
and non-Federal CRADA participants will not be excluded from any future 
DHS S&T/TSA/OLE-FAMS procurements based solely on their participation 
in this CRADA.


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    Authority:  CRADAs are authorized by the Federal Technology 
Transfer Act of 1986, as amended and codified by 15 U.S.C. 3710a.

    DHS, as an executive agency under 5 U.S.C. 105, is a Federal agency 
for the purposes of 15 U.S.C. 3710a and may enter into a CRADA. DHS 
delegated the authority to conduct CRADAs to the Science and Technology 
Directorate and its laboratories.

    Dated: September 12, 2013.
Stephen Hancock,
Director, Public Private Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 2013-22639 Filed 9-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-9F-P