Inactive

The following information is provided in accordance with FAR 15.201, Exchanges with Industry Before Receipt of Proposals. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) presents this Request for Informatio... The following information is provided in accordance with FAR 15.201, Exchanges with Industry Before Receipt of Proposals. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) presents this Request for Information (RFI) to seek input from industry on the stated requirements. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and offers will not be accepted. The Government will not make an award resulting from this RFI. Any information received in response to the RFI will be used to identify the existing market research capabilities of businesses to provide a Capillary Electrophoresis Instrument with eight-dye detection. Responses to the RFI will not be disclosed outside the Government. However, respondents shall consider information received may be used to shape a future solicitation and therefore avoid providing proprietary information that could otherwise be disclosed through the solicitation process. Responses to the RFI are voluntary and costs will not be reimbursed. This RFI does not guarantee the release of a solicitation. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. All interested, capable, and responsible parties are encouraged to submit a response to this notice. Introduction The Laboratory Division (LD), DNA Support Unit (DSU) would like to initiate an evaluation of STR typing chemistries that generate information not only on autosomal marker data but in addition, generate sufficient Y chromosome data to enable the inclusion or exclusion of a potential male contributor to the sample without the need to perform a second sample amplification and typing. The STR chemistry that allows this, makes use of 8 fluorescent dyes. In-house capillary electrophoresis instruments are capable of detecting up to 6 fluorescent dyes, making the evaluation of such new chemistry unattainable. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) may be used to formulate the final requirements for an 8-dye detection capability Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) Instrument and to identify qualified manufacturers and vendors capable of meeting those requirements. The description below outlines preliminary requirements envisioned for the capillary electrophoresis instrument. Respondents should identify their capabilities that would help fulfill the currently envisioned CE requirements as well as any alternative ideas that would improve current concepts. Background Currently casework STR data are generated using autosomal kits that contain a bonus two or three Y chromosome markers. Due to the presence of such Y markers, these kits provide an indication of male contribution to the sample as well as some information regarding the male individual haplotype. Nevertheless, the information is not enough to generate sound conclusions regarding that male contribution and additional sample processing (amplification with a Y chromosome marker specific kits) is often required. This additional processing is sometimes unattainable due to insufficient sample quantity/volume. A new 8-dye chemistry that enables amplification of the usual autosomal STRs (including the CODIS markers) as well Amelogening and 11 Y-chromosome loci is available. This kit can be useful with sexual assault evidence and/or kinship cases and allows for the generation of data in ‘one shot’. Because it uses 8-dyes, it also allows for the inclusion of smaller loci thus increasing the likelihood of recovering data from degraded samples. Unfortunately, the already acquired capillary instruments do not support an 8-dye spectral capacity and therefore this new kit cannot be utilized with the currently available equipment. In order to evaluate the new chemistry and take advantage of its purported benefits, a capillary electrophoresis instrument that can lever 8-dyes is required. Concept of Operation The instrumentation has to be amenable to high throughput processing, have a small footprint, and be able to work with 5-dye and 6-dye commercial kits in addition to tolerating the 8-dye chemistries. In addition, the platform must have a user-friendly data collection software package. The government requests that the Respondents provide either all or a portion of the following: Capillary Electrophoresis platform, associated peripherals, software, delivery charges, installation services, and initial on-site training. Description of Information Requested 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; (4) Rough order of magnitude of the cost for an 8-dye detection capable capillary electrophoresis instrument as described in the RFI. All vendors with an appropriate product or products are invited to submit a Capability Statement and their contact information. The Capability Statement should discuss the product’s capabilities as they relate to the potential requirements. Vendors with a GSA Schedule should provide the contract number, schedule number, and SIN if able to provide the services on 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 names and identifying numbers of COTS products. Responses shall be limited to no more than twenty (20) pages with 12 point font, not including cover letter, cover page, and table of contents. Reponses shall also include company name and business size (i.e., 8(a), HUBZONE, WOSB, Veteran-Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, etc.), technical and administrative points of contacts, telephone numbers, and email addresses with your inquiry. Please submit responses via email in Microsoft Office Format by 10:00 AM, EST, by January 29, 2020 to bvlane@fbi.gov . If mailing a response please send the information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laboratory Building, 2501 Investigation Parkway, Mr. Bryan Lane, Quantico, Virginia, 22135. 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 the 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.