SPECIAL NOTICE
66 -- Request for Information (RFI) - Modifications to Buccal FTA Transfer Collection Device
- Notice Date
- 8/9/2012
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Procurement Section, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20535, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20535
- Solicitation Number
- RFI-12-080912
- Archive Date
- 9/22/2012
- Point of Contact
- Lynda M. Theisen, Fax: 703-632-8480
- E-Mail Address
-
Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov
(Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issues this Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research for information and planning purposes to determine the existing market capability of businesses to either propose modifications to the currently utilized buccal FTA transfer collection device or suggest an alternative buccal collection device, either FTA or non-FTA. The Government intends to review all proposed modifications and/or suggestions. With this notice, the FBI wants to obtain capabilities, delivery, or other market information for planning purposes. All interested, capable, and responsible businesses are encouraged to submit a response to this notice. INTRODUCTION The Federal DNA Database Unit (FDDU) is tasked with the receipt and processing of biological samples collected from individuals convicted of qualifying Federal offenses as well as all Federal arrestees and non-US citizens detained by the US Government. Using nuclear DNA techniques, the FDDU generates and uploads these profiles into the National DNA Index System (NDIS). The FDDU DNA profiles are searched and compared against the forensic samples maintained in the national database to generate investigative leads for previously unsolved crimes. Currently, the FDDU receives approximately 10,000 to 15,000 samples per month. With the most recent expansion of Federal legislation, the FDDU is expecting to receive up to 1 million samples per year over the next several years. The description below outlines preliminary requirements envisioned for either a modification to the current collection device, or the suggestion of an alternative collection device. Respondents should identify their capabilities that would help fulfill the currently envisioned collection device, either modifications or new collection kit, requirements as well as any alternative ideas that would improve current concepts. The information gathered, if deemed successful, will be used to formulate final requirements, which may subsequently be posted in a solicitation for competitive bids. BACKGROUND The FDDU currently utilizes a buccal FTA transfer collection device for the collection of all FDDU samples. This collection device is provided to all Federal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. The FDDU currently performs STR typing on the submitted buccal samples utilizing a direct amplification approach. Currently, the FDDU is experiencing a success rate of approximately 65%. The FDDU believes that the primary reason for the current success rate has to do with the efficiency of the collection device, i.e., how well the collection device applicator is actually collecting the DNA sample and subsequently transferring the sample to the FTA card. REQUIREMENTS The Government requests that the contractor or contractors provide one or more of the following: 1. Suggested modifications to the current buccal FTA transfer collection device that will increase the efficiency and success rate of the collection procedure. 2. Provide information regarding alternative buccal FTA transfer collection device that will increase the efficiency and success rate of the collection procedure. 3. Any other suggestions/modifications that will increase the efficiency and success rate of the collection procedure, including but not limited to possible buccal non-FTA collection devices. Any buccal non-FTA collection device proposed should be capable of being introduced into a fully automated analytical process. The non-FTA substrate should not require storage conditions outside of room temperature storage. Finally, the non-FTA substrate should offer time viability/stability equivalent to or greater than that of an FTA substrate. NOTE : This RFI is only soliciting information on ways to improve the efficiency and success rate of the actual sample collection procedure, either obtaining the sample with an applicator device as well as the transfer of the sample to an FTA card, or the use of a buccal non-FTA collection device. It is not intended to solicit ways to improve the actual DNA analytical process. ********All questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted by email to the Contracting Officer at Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov. THIS NOTICE IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposal, a Solicitation, a Request for Quotation, 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 costs associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this announcement. DISCLAMIER : This RFI is issues solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.202(e), responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. HOW TO RESPOND : Firms that wish to respond to this RFI shall provide the following information: (1) a brief summary of the responder's ideas and suggested improvements being offered in response to this RFI, (2) a statement indicating an interest and the capability to provide the services as described, (3) a technical approach to perform the required services described above, and (4) rough order of magnitude of the cost for the proposed collection device modification and/or alternative collection device as described in the RFI, (5) Respondents must indicate whether their responses contain proprietary information if the respondents wish for the responses to be handled as such. The government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified. DESCRIPTION OF INFORMATION REQUESTED All vendors with an appropriate solution or product are invited to submit a Capability Statement and contact information. The Capability Statement should discuss the solution or product's capabilities as they related to the potential requirements. Vendors with a GSA schedule should provide the contract number of that schedule. In your response, please identify solutions that require custom design and those that can be met with commercial off-the-shelf products (COTS). Please include product named and identifying number of COTS products. Responses shall be limited to no more than 20 pages with 12 point font, not including cover letter, cover page, and table of contents. Responses shall also include company name, size, technical and administrative points of contacts, telephone numbers, and email addresses with your inquiry. Please submit responses via email in Microsoft Office format by 4:00PM September 7, 2012. If mailing a response, please send the information to: FBI Laboratory, 2501 Investigation Parkway, Quantico, VA 22135, Attn: Lynda M. Theisen. NOTE : Responses to this announcement will not be returned, nor will there be any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. However, information obtained as a result of this announcement may be reflected in any subsequent solicitation, and the FBI may contact one or more respondents for clarifications and to enhance the Government's understanding. This announcement is Government market research, and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses.
- Web Link
-
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- Record
- SN02832546-W 20120811/120810000237-c385dd70497e5d7be9f178b8829fe670 (fbodaily.com)
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