Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking contractors to provide canines for its Support Canine Program (SK9). These canines will enhance trauma and mental health response by interacting with individuals in highly emotional situations. The canines must be extremely social, trainable, and trustworthy. Key requirements include specific breeds (Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Vizslas, Standard Poodles, and Labradoodles), an age range of 12-36 months, healthy weight, and a size between 20-30 inches at the withers. Canines must have a documented genealogy from established breeding programs without aggression, be raised in a family setting, and have achieved or be trained to the AKC Canine Good Citizen level. Medical criteria are stringent, requiring excellent health, current vaccinations, negative zoonotic disease tests (especially Canine Brucellosis), and clear radiographs of hips, spine, and elbows. Selection involves a multi-phase process: pre-screening, medical, and behavioral evaluations. Behavioral testing includes AKC Canine Good Citizen exercises and additional specific tests for sociability, prey/retrieve drive, food motivation, noise sensitivity, reaction to distractions (like umbrellas), crowd stability, and confidence on slick floors and in tight spaces. Following acceptance, a 15-day evaluation period at an instructor's home further assesses suitability. A 6-month warranty is required for pre-existing medical issues or behavioral problems. Vendors and their employees must undergo a short-term background check by CBP for access to the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy (BPK9) in El Paso, Texas.

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The document, “Body Condition Score Techniques for Dogs,” outlines the importance and methods for assessing body condition scores (BCS) in dogs. BCS is a crucial tool for monitoring a dog's health, detecting diseases, and preventing obesity. It involves both visual assessment and palpation, using either a 5-point or 9-point scale, with clear designation of the scale used being critical. An ideal BCS typically correlates with 15% to 25% body fat, though this can vary by breed and age, with Greyhounds having lower percentages and Huskies/Rottweilers higher. The document details step-by-step visual and palpation techniques for evaluating a dog's waist, ribs, abdominal tuck, and tail base. It also differentiates between overweight and obese classifications, noting that 24% to 44% of U.S. dogs are overweight or obese. This guide emphasizes that BCS is more indicative of a dog's ideal weight than actual weight, making simultaneous recording of both essential for effective weight management programs.

The CBP Contractor Information Sheet is a mandatory form for contractors and visitors seeking access to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities. It requires detailed personal and company information, including visitor names, dates of birth, passport details, and company points of contact. The purpose of this document is to facilitate a minimum security check prior to granting limited authorized access. Submissions must be made to the Office of Professional Responsibility 72 hours in advance of the visit via email or fax. All visitors must present a U.S. Government-issued photo ID, check in and out at the security desk, and be constantly escorted by a designated DHS/CBP employee. Failure to provide the requested information may result in denial of access, as per the Privacy Act of 1974.