SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Laboratory/Office Space and Serological Analysis
- Notice Date
- 6/27/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541380
— Testing Laboratories
- Contracting Office
- Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Quantico Contracts Unit, FBI Engineering Research Facility, FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia, 22135
- ZIP Code
- 22135
- Solicitation Number
- LDQ001399
- Archive Date
- 7/29/2008
- Point of Contact
- Lynda M. Theisen,, Phone: 703 632-8067
- E-Mail Address
-
Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation issues this sources sought notice to conduct market research for information and planning purposes to determine the existing market capability of potential small businesses (including certified 8(a), Small Disadvantaged, and HUBZone firms; veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and women-owned small businesses) capable of providing serological analysis along with secure, controlled access, office and laboratory space for approximately 10-15 people. I. Background The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Laboratory was created in 1932 and is one of the largest and most comprehensive crime laboratories in the world. The Laboratory gained initial accreditation through the legacy program of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board in 1998. In 2008 the FBI Laboratory satisfied the ISO 17025 requirements within the international accreditation program of that same organization. The FBI Laboratory provides forensic and technical services to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at no expense to these agencies. Analyses of physical evidence ranging from blood and other biological materials to explosives, drugs, and firearms are conducted by the Laboratory. In addition, the FBI manages the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a software system designed by the FBI which enables local, state, and federal crime laboratories to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking crimes to each other and convicted offenders. The DNA Analysis Unit I (DNAAUI) of the Laboratory provides serological and nuclear DNA testing services to all Federal agencies, United States Attorneys, military tribunals, duly constituted state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies in the United States, territories of the United States or other countries in conjunction with criminal and counterterrorism investigative matters. Since 2001, the primary mission of the FBI Laboratory and correspondingly the DNA Analysis Unit I (DNAAUI) has been to provide analytical testing services to support counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism and FBI investigations. Recognizing the FBI Laboratory's primary focus for the prevention of terrorism activities, timely processing of criminal investigation submissions from state and local law enforcement agencies, such as the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for the District of Columbia, have become increasingly difficult to achieve. Additionally, the MPD has identified to the FBI Laboratory the existence of a backlog of non-suspect cases for which submission to the FBI Laboratory has not yet occurred. Such a volume of non-suspect cases, in addition to existing MPD casework which falls outside of the FBI Laboratory's mission, exceeds the current DNAAUI work force resources. Therefore, the DNAAUI is seeking to select a contract laboratory to perform serological, STR and Y STR DNA analysis on a guaranteed minimum of 200 cases with an option to increase the total number of cases to a maximum of 3,000. Since 2003, the FBI has been assisting the MPD in the development of forensic laboratory testing capabilities for the disciplines of trace evidence and serology/DNA testing capabilities within the FBI Laboratory. To expand operational capacities for both the MPD and FBI programs, further space will be necessary. To accommodate such program expansions, in concert with the outsourcing services described previously, the selected contract laboratory must also be able to provide on-site laboratory and office space for MPD laboratory personnel as detailed below. II. Contractor Tasks : A. Mandatory Requirements: 1. The contract laboratory must be located within a fifty (50) mile radius of both the FBI Laboratory (Quantico, VA) and Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters (Washington, D.C.) 2. The contract laboratory will perform serological (Blood and/or Semenpresumptive/identification testing) analysis, STR DNA and/or Y STR analysis on each case as directed by FBI DNAAUI. 3. The contract laboratory shall successfully participate in external serology and DNA proficiency testing programs from a test provider(s) that has/have been approved by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) 4. Each member of the contract laboratory's technical staff (Examiner and Technician) involved in performing and/or interpreting serological case work applications, shall successfully participate in one (1) external open serology proficiency test per calendar year. Copies of the most recent proficiency testing results, and corrective actions if applicable, for each technical staff member shall be provided to the FBI. 5. E ach member of the contract laboratory's technical staff (Examiner and Technician) involved in performing and/or interpreting DNA analysis casework, shall undergo and successfully complete proficiency testing on a semiannual basis (42 U.S.C. § 14132 (b) (2)) within their qualified areas of STR and Y STR analysis. 6. The contract laboratory shall perform the requested DNA analyses to satisfy or exceed the current standards for quality assurance program for DNA analysis, issued by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to the DNA Identification Act of 1994, entitled "Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories. " The contract laboratory shall provide a certification that it shall perform the requested DNA analyses in accordance with the "Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories." 7. To be consistent with the analyses performed by the FBI DNAAUI and allow for registration of casework STR DNA profiles in the National DNA Index System (NDIS), the contract laboratory shall use AmpFtSTR® Profiler Plus IDTM and AmpFtSTR® COfilerTM amplification typing systems utilizing capillary electrophoresis on the ABI PRISM® 310 Genetic Analyzer. Additionally, the contract laboratory will use the ABI PRISM® 3130xl Genetic Analyzer in lieu of the ABI PRISM® 310 Genetic Analyzer if requested by FBI DNAAUI. The analysis shall be conducted using the Genescan® 3.1 and Genotyper® 2.5 software from Applied Biosystems. Additionally, the contract laboratory will use the GeneMapper ID 3.2.1 or GeneMapper ID-X software from Applied Biosystems if requested by FBI DNAAUI. 8. The contract laboratory shall use Quantifiler for quantitation. Duel Quant may only be used if directed in writing by the FBI DNAAUI. 9. The contract laboratory will use AmpFtSTR® IdentifilerTM amplification kits utilizing capillary electrophoresis on the ABI PRISM® 310 Genetic Analyzer and/or the ABI PRISM® 3 130x1 Genetic Analyzer only if directed in writing by FBI DNAAUI. 10. During the entire contract period the contract laboratory shall be accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) Legacy Program, American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) ISO 17025, or FQS. 11. The contract laboratory shall process and analyze all samples in a secure, dedicated laboratory. 12. The Contract Laboratory shall not subcontract MPD casework to any other laboratory or location, nor engage contractors to participate in such analyses without the advance approval of the FBI Laboratory. 13. In addition to performing serological, STR and/or Y STR DNA analysis on each case as directed by the FBI DNAAUI, the contract laboratory shall provide secure on-site space for Metropolitan Police Department laboratory personnel as follows: a) Contract laboratory shall provide secure, controlled access, office and laboratory space for approximately 10-15 MPD laboratory personnel to conduct various laboratory analyses on MPD casework. This will include both Trace Evidence and Biology (Serology and DNA) analyses. The space may either be integrated within the contract laboratory's existing space or be separate dedicated space on-site at the contract laboratory's location. b) Contract laboratory shall provide general laboratory and office supplies for MPD laboratory personnel. B. Mandatory Contract Laboratory Responsibilities 1. Details and results of the contract laboratory's process validation studies shall be kept on file at the contract laboratory. Upon request by the FBI, the contract laboratory shall provide documentation that demonstrates that it has carried out appropriate and adequate validation of its analytical procedures, instrumentation, DNA Quantitation, Y STR, STR typing kits and data interpretation protocols. 2. Upon request by the FBI, the contract laboratory shall provide documentation related to all external and internal audits and/or accreditation assessments, within a two year period. Any and all documents relating to findings and corrective actions will be made available to the FBI for review. 3. An inventory for all samples in a case shall be documented upon case receipt by the contract laboratory's; transfer of samples during processing shall be recorded; and accompany the case when returned to the FBI. Final verification of the inventory procedure by the contract laboratory Supervisor or her/his designee is required. 4. The contract laboratory shall return the evidence and processed DNA from each case to the contributor unless otherwise directed by the FBI Laboratory. For evidence that is to be returned to the FBI Laboratory, the contract laboratory shall notify the FBI at least two (2) business days prior to returning the evidence to ensure proper transfer and receipt. The FBI shall have immediate access to all MPD cases while they are maintained by the contract laboratory. No other parties may be granted access unless approved in advance by the FBI. 5. The contract laboratory acknowledges that the results of a serological and/or DNA analysis and the comparison of analytical results are made confidential by law, and shall treat such information with due care to prevent improper disclosure. Federal law (42 U.S.C. §14135e) provides the following criminal penalty for the unauthorized disclosure or use of such sample/results: "A person who knowingly- (1) Discloses a sample or result...in any manner to any person not authorized to receive it; or (2) obtains, without authorization, a sample or result...shall be fined not more than $100,000.' 6. The contract laboratory shall protect the confidentiality of all records and other materials that are maintained in accordance with this contract. The contract laboratory shall have and follow written policies governing access to, duplication and dissemination of all such information. The contract laboratory shall provide its employees with a copy of a written explanation of these confidentiality requirements before access to confidential data is permitted. Copies of such written explanation signed by each employee acknowledging their having read, understood and commitment to follow such requirements shall be provided to the FBI. This practice must be maintained for additional employees that entered following the initiation of this contract. 7. The contract laboratory shall be responsible for providing the equipment, supplies (quantitation, amplification kits and reagents), necessary for analysis. 8. The contract laboratory agrees to provide testimony in legal matters, if needed and as required by the appropriate court officials (judge, prosecution, defense). The contract laboratory agrees that no costs associated with this testimony will be incurred by the FBI (such as travel, expert witness fees, discoveries or duplication of data in response to a subpoena by the prosecution or defense in a criminal case or other compelled appearance or production of records). 9. Serological and/or DNA analysis will be conducted on a minimum of 200 cases consisting of evidentiary and known reference samples from serious violent felonies and other offenses occurring in the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.). 10. Serological examination of casework samples shall be carried out and interpreted according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the contract laboratory. A copy of the Serology SOP shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI. 11. Copies of all serological casework notes shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI along with the copy of the contract laboratory report of examination. 12. STR DNA examination of casework samples shall be carried out and interpreted according to the Standard Operating Procedure of the contract laboratory. A copy of the Y STR and STR DNA SOP's shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI. 13. STR data shall be generated for the 13 CODIS STR loci and Amelogenin. The loci are: FGA, vWA, D3S1358, CSF1PO, TPOX, THO1, D18S51, D21S11, D8S1179, D7S820, D13S317, D5S818, and D16S539. a) The analysis of a sample shall not be considered complete until analysis for all 13 CODIS STR loci and Amelogenin have been attempted if sufficient quantity of DNA was recovered. The contract laboratory must determine if the best chance to achieve results is to concentrate the sample and amplify only profiler plus ID. b) Genetic analysis Data shall be provided to the FBI in electronic form on a write protected CD-Rom for each case that genetic data was produced. Specifically, copies of all computer files (i.e., Collection, Genescan, Genotyper, GeneMapper ID or other files generated in the analysis of the sample) shall be provided to the FBI on a write protected CD-Rom for each case. Data shall be organized in a manner that will allow for easy and efficient review. c) Copies of all extraction, amplification, and electropherogram data are to be provided to the FBI including data for control samples. d) All unused sample portions (i.e. stain cards) and all remaining evidentiary and reference samples, as well as extracted DNA, shall be returned to the FBI DNAAUI or contributor as directed by the FBI DNAAUI along with the evidence for each case. e) Amplified DNA from each case shall be maintained by the contract laboratory until written direction for its destruction is received from the FBI DNAAUI. The destruction of the amplified DNA from each case will be witnessed and documented following written direction. Documentation of the witnessed destruction shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI immediately following the destruction of the amplified DNA from each case. f) Excess DNA extract shall be stored frozen until such time that the contract laboratory can return the samples with the evidence to the contributing agency, unless otherwise directed by the FBI. g) Any quality control or quality assurance data, if not archived at the contract laboratory, shall be returned to the FBI DNAAUI. 14. The contract laboratory shall monitor analytical processes during each procedure by using appropriate controls and standards in compliance with the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories : a. Quantitation standards which estimate the amount of human nuclear DNA recovered by extraction b. Positive and negative amplification controls. c. Reagent blanks. d. Allelic ladders and/or internal size markers for variable number tandem repeat sequence PCR based systems. 15. The contract laboratory shall have and follow written general guidelines for the interpretation of data through all analytical methods, including serological testing. 16. The contract laboratory shall support visual matches by a numerical match criterion, where appropriate. Standards state to follow recommendations 4.1, 4.2, or 4.3 as deemed applicable by the National Research Council report entitled "The Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence" (1996) and/or court directed method. These calculations shall be derived from a documented population database appropriate for the calculation. 17. The contract laboratory shall perform a technical review of all analyses by a second qualified analyst for all serological and DNA reports. This review shall be documented and provided to the FBI DNAAUI as part of the case note documentation for each case. 18. The contract laboratory shall furnish the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C. and the United States Attorney's Office of Washington, D.C. a report of all casework analysis. In the event that the contributor is not MPD, the contract laboratory shall furnish the corresponding contributor a report of all casework analysis. In addition, a copy of the report of all results of examination along with a copy of the complete case notes shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI. 19. The contract laboratory will include the FBPs Q# in their specimen number. 20. The FBI Lab Number and Case ID must be present in the contract laboratory's report. 21. Reports must be generated for all reports, including discontinued cases. 22. The contract laboratory must contact the AUSA for permission BEFORE consuming any sample. This contact with the corresponding AUSA decision must be documented within the case file. The FBI can not grant permission to consume a sample. 23. If the results of the designated items to work are negative, the contract laboratory shall contact the FBI to receive guidance as to whether additional examinations can be conducted on additional items. 24. The contract laboratory will have a turn around time of 30-60 days for all cases. 25. The contract laboratory shall notify the FBI of any problems in testing immediately upon discovery. C. Data Delivery and Reporting Requirements 1. This data shall include: a. A copy of the report issued to the Metropolitan Police Department (or other contributor) shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI. b. A copy of the report issued to the Metropolitan Police Department (or other contributor) shall be provided to the United States Attorney of Washington, D.C. c. A copy of all case notes (Serology and/or DNA) shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI. 1. The case notes/paperwork should be presented to the FBI in the following Order: a. Report b. Technical Review Sheet c. FBI generated worksheet d. Contributor letter e. Communication log(s) f. Remaining administrative paperwork g. Serological notes h. Extraction notes i. Quantitation notes j. Amplification notes k. Electropherograms, one sample per page (with summarizing call sheets) l. Statistical calculations Paperwork should only show FBI samples and associated controls for the particular case. d. One write protected CD-Rom for each case containing; All Collection and Genescan (or GeneMapper ID) files pertaining to the case, all controls (i.e., 9947A, negative control, and reagent blank) pertaining to the case and an inventory of the data contained on each CD-Rom shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI. The data files must be provided to the FBI at the same time the report is. e. A printout of the electronic data demonstrating the presence/absence of primers for all negative samples (to include negative controls and negative casework samples) in each case shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI when the copy of the case notes are provided to the FBI DNAAUI. f. Documentation of the technical review by a second qualified analyst shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI. 2. In the event that a sample is not acceptable by the FBI, the contract laboratory must provide the FBI corrected documentation (new data tables, cmf file, etc.) or reanalysis as requested by the FBI. 3. The contract laboratory shall provide a monthly statistical report on the status of all cases submitted from the FBI. This report shall be provided to the FBI DNAAUI on the 1st business day of every month. The FBIDNAAUI will work with the contract laboratory to determine the format of this report. 4. The contract laboratory shall provide an electronic spreadsheet (i.e, Microsoft Excel) to the FBI DNAAUI containing the details pertaining to the status of each submitted case (i.e.,.cmf file number, CD-Rom identifier, status, date processed, etc...) on the 1st business day of every month. The FBIDNAAUI will work with the contract laboratory to determine the format of this spreadsheet. D. Coordination of Services The FBI DNAAUI is the laboratory responsible for determining sample eligibility for inclusion in the National DNA Index System (NDIS). As part of this responsibility the FBI DNAAUI will technically review the STR DNA analysis of each case to determine if it meets the standards for NDIS registration. Additionally, FBI DNAAUI is responsible for coordinating the preparation, packaging, and shipping of each case. The contracting laboratory shall issue a report on the Serological, Y STR and STR DNA analysis of all cases directly to the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington D.C. (or other contributor). A copy of that report, a copy of the entire case file (including electronic data), and all extraction, amplification and profiling paperwork shall be returned to the FBI DNAAUI. The remaining evidence and extracted DNA shall be returned to the contributing agency, unless otherwise directed by the FBI Laboratory. 1. Authority to Provide Service: Authority to provide service is only granted by the FBI DNAAUI. If the contracting laboratory should exceed the funding on the purchase orders issued, the FBI will not pay for the additional cost. 2. On-Site Visitation: At its option, the FBI DNAAUI may visit a contract laboratory satisfying the mandatory requirements during the evaluation of bids and prior to the testing of casework samples. Any discrepancies between the information provided in the bid proposal and the observations made during the site visits shall be resolved prior to beginning performance under the contract. The FBI reserves the right to perform unannounced inspections of the contract laboratory at anytime during the contract time period. 3. Compliance with the DNA Identification Act: The contract laboratory shall provide the FBI DNAAUI with all audit documentation (external and internal) and the semiannual proficiency testing results of their staff within 30 days of their completion of the audit and proficiency tests. This shall include corrective action plans, both developed and initiated, through and including closure, for all errors, non-compliances or quality issues that directly or indirectly affect the casework applications for this contact. THIS NOTICE IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposals, a Solicitation, a Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained in this announcement. This request is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this announcement. Responses to this announcement will not be returned, nor will there be any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. Your response shall include the following information: size of company (i.e., 8(a), HUBZONE, WOSB, Veteran Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, etc.), revenue for last three years, relevant past performance on same/similar work dating back no more than three (3) years and your company's capability to do this type of work. Documentation of technical expertise and capability must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. It is imperative that business concerns responding to this sources sought articulate their capabilities clearly and adequately. The response date for this sources sought notices is Monday, July 14, 2008. No collect calls will be accepted. No telephone request or written requests for the market survey will be accepted. All responses to this notice may be submitted by e-mail to: Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov ; by fax to: 703-632-8480 (attn: Lynda M. Theisen) or mailed to the FBI Laboratory, Attn: Lynda M. Theisen Contracting Officer, 2501 Investigation Parkway, Quantico, VA 22135. Please note: All contractors doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. The website for registration is www.ccr.gov.
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