Testing of Rapid DNA Processing Equipment

This is not a request for quote; this is a notice of the government's intent to award a firm fixed price contract on a sole source basis to The University of North Texas, pursuant to FAR PART FAR 6.302-1, only one source is capable of responding to satisfy the agency's requirements. The Washington Headquarters Service, Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD) requires an independent, non-government test, evaluation and validation of rapid DNA processing prototypes and DNA methods and protocols. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotations, however interested parties may identify their capability to respond to this requirement by 15 October 2012, 3:00 PM, EST by e-mail to [email protected]. A determination by the Government not to compete the contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Justification: DoD must conduct a thorough test and evaluation of the rapid DNA processing prototype technology before deployment or widespread use. While DoD is leveraging testing resources at DoD labs and other government labs, to include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), DoD also requires an independent, non-governmental test, evaluation and validation of the rapid DNA processing prototypes to provide transparency and credibility to the assessment. DoD requires a test and evaluation by a firm with direct access to the NDIS and with staff that has published peer-reviewed literature on DNA processing methods with current national laboratory accreditation. The University of North Texas is the only known non-governmental, nationally accredited lab with access to National DNA Index System (NDIS.) Further, Dr. Bruce Budowle, the Principal Investigator for the effort at the University of North Texas, has over 40 years of experience as a senior scientist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Dr. Budowle has authored a number of articles and publications on emerging DNA processing methods and has provided expert testimony in various criminal cases making him a leader in the DNA community. Dr. Budowle and the University of North Texas are uniquely qualified to meet the requirements identified by DoD for providing an assessment and validation of the department's rapid DNA processing prototypes.