Detection Dogs

Description

The Authority (HMRC) is required to tackle the threat posed by the movement, storage, distribution and sale of illicit goods throughout the UK. This is achieved by deploying detection dogs to assist HMRC officers whilst they are inspecting or searching premises and vehicles to identify concealments and storage points of illicit products and the subsequent seizure of any illicit goods discovered. Lot 1: The Authority (HMRC) is required to tackle the threat posed by the movement, storage, distribution and sale of illicit goods throughout the UK. This is achieved by deploying detection dogs to assist HMRC officers whilst they are inspecting or searching premises and vehicles to identify concealments and storage points of illicit products and the subsequent seizure of any illicit goods discovered. The contractor to provide the requisite number of personnel, dogs and other resources to meet the needs of HMRC for the provision of detection dogs and handlers. The Contractor must ensure that its personnel i.e. handlers are suitably trained to competently perform detection tasks effectively. The Contractor’s training programme will cover as a minimum the requirements set out below: •How to diffuse aggressive behaviour •The application of UK Human Rights, Children’s Legislation and cultural diversity and racial awareness •Health and Safety •Security Awareness •First Aid •Fire Safety •Care and welfare of the dog •First Aid for Dogs •Hygiene of kennels and grooming of dogs •Training in handling a working dog; this must be praise and reward based and must not be compulsion-based. •Training of handler & dog to detect goods hidden in premises and vehicles. •A HMRC Officer shall be permitted to evaluate, monitor and review the Contractor’s training programmes and practices; as requested by the Authority. The contractor must have immediate access to the appropriate number of handler(s) and dog(s) which are fit and effective whilst having regard for the welfare and well-being of the dog(s) under his/her control. The Authority will require the contractor to be available to deploy handler(s) and detection dog(s) at all times where 5 working days’ notice has been provided and to exercise maximum flexibility to meet any short term urgent requests for provision of a dog(s) at less than 5 working days. The Authority requires the service to be provided 365 days a year. The Authority requires the service to be provided 24 hours a day. The contractor will be responsible for the provision, support and maintenance of its own equipment and vehicles, for ensuring the continued effectiveness of the detection dogs as well as the efficiency and conduct of the handlers. The contractor to provide management support on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week for both operational management and personnel management. The contractor must have a member of staff available to take responsibility for the delivery of the contract at all times, day and night, to receive telephone calls where necessary from the Authority’s duty manager. Assurances will be required that a handler who is unable to perform his duty will be replaced by another handler immediately, so as to provide continuous availability of a detection dog and handler at each of the specified locations. The contractor will comply with statutory requirements relating to the health and safety of the dogs and of staff and any persons encountered by the handlers in the course of their work. Requirement: The Authority has a requirement for an external contractor to provide trained handlers and detection dogs at UK locations (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and premises suspected to contain illicit goods and products such as tobacco and their derived products. Any other items or products which require detection by dogs will be specified by the Authority. The contractor will be required to provide dog handlers and detection dogs to work alongside HMRC officers engaged in inspecting or searching premises and vehicles to assist in identifying concealments and storage points of illicit tobacco products; tobacco derived products as well as cash.