Animal Shelter Feasibility Study Request for Information

The City of Pittsburgh is seeking scope and cost information for the solicitation of a study in late 2024 regarding the feasibility of building and operating a City-owned animal shelter.BackgroundThe City of Pittsburgh, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Animal Care & Control, intends to publish a Request for Proposal (RFP) in the latter half of 2024 for a consultant to examine and present the feasibility of building and operating a City-owned animal shelter. The City of Pittsburgh is first publishing this Request for Information (RFI) regarding appropriate scope, materials for inclusion, and necessary questions to ask that would encourage suitably detailed proposals and a productive relationship with the selected vendor or vendors.The Bureau of Animal Care & Control provides assistance to Bureaus within the Department of Public Safety, other City Departments and the Allegheny County Health Department in situations involving animals, both domestic and wild. The Bureau enforces

City and State codes dealing with animals; issues citations and appears in court; helps to keep our City’s parks animal-nuisance free; works with non-profit animal shelters; provides consultation to other municipalities concerning animal issues; and assists the Pennsylvania Game Commission in tracking the rabies virus.Presently the Bureau contracts with vendor partners to assist with vital portions of its day-to-day operations, including animal detention and veterinary services. In 2021, Pittsburgh's Office of the City Controller released a performance audit that recommended conducting a feasibility study to determine if greater operational and fiscal efficiency would be achieved by the City owning and operating its own shelter.Further information concerning the bureau's functions, call volume, et cetera, may be found at the above links.Responses to this RFI will be solely used for informational and planning purposes. Participation will not positively or negatively impact the City of Pittsburgh's consideration of any future procurement related to this effort. Responding to this request is not a pre-qualification for any potential RFP concerning this subject, nor will it result in a contract award. Please note that information submitted in response to this RFI is considered public information, and confidential information should not be included.TimelineRelease Project Date:March 20, 2024Question Submission Deadline:April 10, 2024, 5:00pmSubmission Deadline:April 17, 2024, 5:00pm