LPC Animal Shelter Operation RFP

Request for Proposals (RFP) for the
Operation of the La Paz County Animal Shelter
Parker, Arizona
RFP No. 2026-2
Issued July 29, 2026
Proposal Due Date August 12, 2026

La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
CONTENTS
A. SOLICITATION INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 4
1. Project Overview ................................................................................................................ 4
2. Issuing Agency .................................................................................................................. 4
3. Procurement Contact ......................................................................................................... 4
4. Notice ................................................................................................................................. 4
B. PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE ............................................................................................... 5
C. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE ......................................................................... 6
D. SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................................................................. 7
1. Shelter Operations and Public Services ............................................................................ 7
2. Animal Control Support and Licensing Services ................................................................ 8
3. Humane Education and Community Outreach .................................................................. 8
4. Shelter Equipment, Transportation, and Insurance ........................................................... 8
5. Compliance and Administrative Responsibilities ............................................................... 8
6. Financial Responsibility ..................................................................................................... 9
E. REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES .............................................................. 10
1. Reporting Requirements .................................................................................................. 10
2. Performance Measures ................................................................................................... 10
3. Financial and Operational Transparency ......................................................................... 11
4. Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................................................................... 11
5. Corrective Action ............................................................................................................. 11
F. CONTRACT TERM AND COMPENSATION ........................................................................ 12
1. Contract Term ............................................................................................................................... 12
2. Compensation Structure ............................................................................................................... 12
3. Invoicing and Payment .................................................................................................................. 12
4. Financial Reporting ....................................................................................................................... 12
5. Funding Availability ....................................................................................................................... 12
6. Cost Proposal Requirements ........................................................................................................ 12
G. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS .................................................................... 14
1. Proposal Submission .................................................................................................................... 14
2. Cover Letter .................................................................................................................................. 14
3. Organizational Information and Qualifications .............................................................................. 14
4. Organizational Capacity and Experience ...................................................................................... 15
5. Proposed Approach to Service Delivery ....................................................................................... 15
6. Staffing Plan .................................................................................................................................. 15
7. Financial Stability .......................................................................................................................... 15
8. Cost Proposal ............................................................................................................................... 15
9. Additional Information ................................................................................................................... 16
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
10. Proposal Format ......................................................................................................................... 16
11. Submission Instructions .............................................................................................................. 16
H. EVALUATION CRITERIA ..................................................................................................... 17
1. Organizational Qualifications and Experience (20%) .................................................................... 17
2. Organizational Capacity (15%) ..................................................................................................... 17
3. Proposed Service Delivery Approach (25%) ................................................................................. 17
4. Staffing and Personnel (15%) ....................................................................................................... 17
5. Reporting, Accountability, and Performance Management (10%) ................................................ 18
6. Cost Proposal (15%) ..................................................................................................................... 18
Interviews and Presentations ............................................................................................................ 18
Final Selection .................................................................................................................................. 18
I. CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS .............................................................................. 19
1. Final Agreement ............................................................................................................................ 19
2. Negotiations .................................................................................................................................. 19
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
A. SOLICITATION INFORMATION
1. Project Overview
La Paz County ("County") is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations to provide animal
shelter operations and related animal care services within La Paz County, Arizona. The County
seeks a qualified, non-profit, 501c3 service provider ("Contractor") capable of delivering
humane, efficient, and community-focused animal shelter services that support, among other
things, animal welfare, public safety, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
The selected Contractor will be responsible for operating and managing animal shelter
services in accordance with applicable Federal, State, County and local laws, as well as the
requirements outlined in this Request for Proposals. Services may include animal intake,
housing, care, adoption services, foster program coordination, veterinary care coordination,
volunteer management, community outreach, recordkeeping, and other activities necessary to
support shelter operations.
The County seeks a partner that will work collaboratively with any entities or people involved in
animal control services, including County staff, municipal partners, animal welfare
organizations, volunteers, and community stakeholders to provide high-quality services and
positive outcomes for animals and the community.
2. Issuing Agency
La Paz County
1112 Joshua Avenue, Suite 201
Parker, Arizona 85344
3. Procurement Contact
Stephanie McDowell
County Administrator
Board of Supervisors Office
928-669-6115
smcdowell@lapaz.gov
4. Notice
All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements contained in this
Request for Proposals. La Paz County reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or
all proposals, waive formalities, negotiate with proposers, and accept the proposal determined
to be in the best interests of the County.
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
B. PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE
The County reserves the right to modify the Procurement Schedule through written addendum.
Milestone Date
RFP Issued Date July 29, 2026
Questions Due Date August 5, 2026
Responses to Questions Issued Date August 7, 2026
Proposal Due Date August 12, 2026, by 5 p.m.
Anticipated Contract Award Date August 18, 2026
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
C. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
La Paz County, in partnership with community stakeholders, has undertaken efforts to evaluate
the long-term future of animal shelter services within the County. These efforts have included
consideration of facility needs, operational requirements, animal welfare objectives,
governance structures, and funding opportunities to support sustainable animal shelter
operations.
The County recognizes the importance of providing humane care and shelter for animals while
supporting public safety, animal control activities, responsible pet ownership, and community
engagement. As part of its commitment to these objectives, the County is seeking a qualified
organization to provide animal shelter operations and related services.
The selected Contractor will be expected to work collaboratively with, among others, County
staff, participating municipal partners, animal welfare organizations, volunteers, veterinary
providers, and other stakeholders to provide services that support positive outcomes for
animals and the community.
This Request for Proposals is intended to identify a service provider with the experience,
organizational capacity, and operational expertise necessary to manage animal shelter
services in a manner that is effective, transparent, fiscally responsible, and consistent with
applicable laws, regulations, professional animal welfare standards and County and other
potential contracted parties' needs.
Additional information regarding facility resources, operational responsibilities, service
expectations, and funding considerations is provided throughout this Request for Proposals.
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
D. SCOPE OF WORK
The Contractor agrees to provide comprehensive animal sheltering and animal welfare
services in accordance with applicable Federal, State, County, and municipal laws,
ordinances, regulations, licensing requirements, and professional standards governing animal
care, shelter operations, public health, workplace safety, and related activities.
The Contractor shall perform the following duties and responsibilities in a County-provided
animal shelter facility:
1. Shelter Operations and Public Services
a. The Contractor shall maintain appropriate and agreed upon office hours at the
animal shelter to provide services to the public and conduct business necessary
for the effective operation and administration of the animal shelter.
b. The Contractor shall accept, house, and care for animals received through the
County and through participating, contracted municipalities, including stray,
abandoned, homeless, sick, injured, surrendered, or otherwise impounded
animals.
c. The Contractor shall provide appropriate confinement, shelter, sanitation, food,
water, enrichment, and humane treatment for all animals under its care until such
animals are reunited with their owners, adopted, transferred, returned to
authorized agencies, or humanely euthanized, when necessary.
d. The Contractor shall provide appropriate medical care through a licensed
veterinary provider for animals in its custody, including vaccinations, antibiotics,
veterinary treatment, emergency care, and other medically necessary services as
determined appropriate.
e. The Contractor shall ensure all dogs and cats leaving the shelter that are three
(3) months of age or older are current on required rabies vaccinations prior to
release, adoption, or transfer, in accordance with shelter policies and protocols.
f. When euthanasia is necessary, it shall be performed in a humane manner
consistent with applicable laws, veterinary guidance, and accepted animal
welfare practices. The Contractor shall maintain written procedures governing,
among other things, euthanasia decisions, authorization, documentation, and
performance, and including all shelter operations as described in this Request for
Proposals.
g. The Contractor shall provide professional, respectful, and responsive service to
members of the public. Shelter operations shall support reasonable public
access, customer service, adoption services, and communication regarding
available programs and services.
h. The Contractor shall maintain procedures to protect animals, staff, volunteers,
visitors, and property during emergencies and unusual circumstances. Such
procedures shall address, among other things, fire, utility disruptions, severe
weather, disease outbreaks, animal escapes, hazardous conditions, and other
operational risks.
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
2. Animal Control Support and Licensing Services
a. The Contractor shall assist with animal licensing services, including processing
and issuing dog licenses for all adopted animals and animals owned or kept by
residents as required by applicable ordinances.
b. The Contractor shall purchase, maintain, and provide official metallic dog license
tags.
c. The Contractor shall collect applicable licensing fees, impoundment fees, owner
surrender fees, adoption fees, and other authorized service fees. All fees
collected by The Contractor shall be retained by the Contractor for the operation
and maintenance of shelter services.
d. When processing County and participating municipal animal licenses, the
Contractor may collect a reasonable and justifiable administrative or handling fee
for providing licensing services.
3. Humane Education and Community Outreach
a. The Contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain humane education
programs that are available to the general public as well as to anyone who works
or volunteers in the shelter designed to promote responsible pet ownership,
proper animal care, spay/neuter awareness, and humane treatment of animals.
b. The Contractor shall support community outreach initiatives intended to reduce
animal overpopulation and improve animal welfare within the community.
4. Shelter Equipment, Transportation, and Insurance
a. The Contractor shall purchase, operate, and maintain an appropriate transport
vehicle necessary for the safe transportation of animals and performance of
shelter operations.
b. The Contractor shall maintain copies of valid drivers' licenses on file for anyone
who drives the Contractor-owned transport vehicle in the furtherance of the
services provided to County under this RFP and the related Services Agreement.
c. The Contractor shall maintain all required insurance coverage, including liability
insurance, through companies authorized to conduct business within the State of
Arizona and shall list La Paz County as an additional insured on its policies.
d. The Contractor shall maintain workers' compensation insurance coverage with
coverage limits as required by Federal and State law.
5. Compliance and Administrative Responsibilities
a. The Contractor shall perform all services in compliance with applicable Arizona
laws, County ordinances, municipal ordinances, regulations, and industry
standards governing animal shelter operations.
b. The Contractor shall maintain, at its own cost, updated computer systems,
software, recordkeeping programs, and a public-facing website necessary to
support shelter operations and communications.
c. The Contractor shall maintain accurate records regarding animals received,
housed, adopted, transferred, returned to owners, euthanized, or otherwise
dispositioned.
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
d. The Contractor shall produce and provide detailed deliverables that account for
the services performed, shelter statistics, and operational reports as reasonably
requested by the County.
e. The Contractor shall provide periodic updates to the County regarding shelter
operations, animal intake, outcomes, and significant issues affecting services.
f. The Contractor shall provide additional written reports or documentation
reasonably requested by the County.
g. The Contractor shall prepare and provide presentations to the County regarding
shelter operations, services, performance metrics, and other relevant matters
when requested.
6. Financial Responsibility
a. Animal owners shall remain responsible for payment of applicable fees, as
established by Contractor, associated with animal care, shelter services,
licensing, impoundment, and other services provided by the Contractor.
b. The County shall not be responsible for additional payments, losses, claims,
damages, or expenses incurred by the Contractor arising from the Contractor's
performance of services under the Services Agreement with the successful
bidder, except as specifically provided herein.
c. All fees collected by the Contractor for services provided under the Services
Agreement with the successful bidder shall remain the property of the Contractor
and shall be utilized to support shelter operations and animal welfare services.
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La Paz County
Animal Shelter Operations RFP
E. REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The County places a high value on transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
The selected Contractor shall maintain complete and accurate records regarding shelter
operations and finances and shall provide regular Quarterly reports that allow the County to
evaluate service delivery, animal welfare outcomes, operational performance, and compliance
with contractual requirements.
1. Reporting Requirements
a. The Contractor shall maintain operational records sufficient to document all
shelter activities and shall provide reports to the County in a format and
frequency as established in the Services Agreement with the successful bidder.
At a minimum, the County anticipates requiring Quarterly meetings to discuss
any operational or financial issues or concerns, with additional annual
presentation on statistical information broken out by participating municipalities
and operational overview.
b. Presentation may include, but are not limited to, the following information:
i. Number of animals received or impounded
ii. Number of owner-surrendered animals
iii. Number of animals reclaimed by owners
iv. Number of animals adopted
v. Number of animals transferred to rescue organizations or other facilities
vi. Number of animals placed in foster care
vii. Number of animals euthanized
viii. Number of animal deaths occurring while in care
ix. Number of animals receiving veterinary treatment
x. Number of animals vaccinated, sterilized, or otherwise medically treated
xi. Shelter population statistics
xii. Volunteer participation and foster program activity
xiii. Community outreach and educational activities
xiv. Significant operational issues, incidents, or challenges
c. The County reserves the right to modify reporting requirements during the term of
the Services Agreement to address changing operational and financial needs,
regulatory requirements, or performance objectives.
2. Performance Measures
a. The Contractor shall demonstrate its ability to provide effective and efficient
shelter operations that support positive outcomes for animals and the community.
Proposers are encouraged to identify performance measures they utilize to
evaluate operational success and animal welfare outcomes.
b. Performance measures may include, but are not limited to:
i. Return-to-owner rates
ii. Adoption rates
iii. Transfer and rescue placement rates
iv. Live outcome rates
v. Average length of stay
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