250080-RFP Solicitation Addendum #1.docx

ADDENDUM #1: PLEASE SEE CHANGES TO NOTICE OF SOLICITATION AND SECTION 5.3 “SCHEDULE OF EVENTS”

NOTICE OF SOLICITATION

SERIAL # 250080-RFP

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR Forensic Toxicology Lab Testing Services

Notice is hereby given that Maricopa County is conducting this Request for Proposals electronically through an outside agent e-procurement platform, BidNet Direct, until 2:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) on Tuesday, June 1724, 2025 for SERIAL# 250080-RFP REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR Forensic Toxicology Lab Testing Services for Maricopa County.

ONLY RESPONSES THAT ARE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE E-PROCUREMENT PLATFORM, BIDNET DIRECT (www.bidnetdirect.com), WILL BE CONSIDERED.

For submission instructions, see Exhibit 1.

For assistance with the e-procurement platform, contact BidNet Direct Vendor Support during regular business hours: Phone: 1-800-835-4603 or Email: support@bidnet.com. The BidNet Direct Support Department is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST.

All responses must be submitted electronically through the e-procurement platform prior to the bid closing. The bid will be listed under “250080-RFP REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR Forensic Toxicology Lab Testing Services.”

The Maricopa County Procurement Code (Code) governs this procurement and is incorporated by reference. Any protest concerning this Request for Proposals must be filed with the procurement officer in accordance with Section MC1-905 of the Code.

All standard terms and conditions concerning this Invitation for Bids can be located at https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6453.

Any addenda to this Invitation for Bids will be posted on the Maricopa County Office of Procurement Services website under the solicitation serial number. This information will also be posted online at www.bidnetdirect.com.

FAILURE TO REVIEW ANY ADDENDA DOES NOT NEGATE YOUR INITIAL OFFER AND HOLDS THE RESPONDENT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES PRIOR TO BID CLOSING.

INQUIRIES: SUBMIT ALL INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS BY THE QUESTION DATE/TIME DEADLINE POSTED IN BIDNET DIRECT USING THE LINK IN THE “Q&A” TAB FOR THIS PROPOSAL.

Administrative inquiries may be directed to:

jack koeller, PROCUREMENT OFFICER Telephone: (602) 506-8714 Email: jack.koeller@maricopa.gov

SERIAL # 250080-RFP

NOTE: Maricopa County publishes its solicitations online and they are available for viewing and/or downloading at https://www.maricopa.gov/2190/Solicitations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOTICE OF SOLICITATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTIONS

1.0 INTENT

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

3.0 PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS

4.0 CONTRACTUAL AND SPECIAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

5.0 INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS (Note that this section does not become part of any resultant contract.)

ATTACHMENTS

EXHIBITS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR Forensic Toxicology Lab Testing Services

1.0 INTENT

1.1 Maricopa County (County) is seeking a source for postmortem forensic toxicology testing at a contractor’s facility. Pricing shall be all inclusive of the test kits and the shipping charges. The testing will include all current testing processes and procedures with the ability to add new testing processes and procedures as they become available in the marketplace and/or the County has an identified need.

1.2 Forensic toxicology testing is a required component of a medicolegal death investigation to determine if drugs/chemicals/poisons were present and allows physicians to analyze how those detected substances relate to the death of the individual.

1.3 This contract will also provide the ability for all expert witness needs that the County may have related to this service or individual cases.

1.4 Other governmental entities under agreement with County may have access to services provided hereunder (see also Sections 3.12 and 3.13 below).

1.5 The County reserves the right to add additional contractors, at the County’s sole discretion, in cases where the currently listed contractors are of an insufficient number or skill set to satisfy the County’s needs or to ensure adequate competition on any project or task order work.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

2.1.1 The contractor shall provide the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) with standard specimen collection kits and cover shipping cost.

2.1.2 The contractor shall continuously supply kits to ensure that OME maintains a minimum two (2) week supply in stock: currently at least 450 kits.

2.1.3 The contractor is responsible for receiving filled kits from OME and performing ordered postmortem forensic toxicology testing panels and/or individual tests per the order request.

2.1.4 The contractor shall discuss with OME staff on other recommended tests based on preliminary results and obtain approval in writing (including via email) before performing additional tests.

2.1.5 The contractor shall create a toxicology results report on a per case basis compliant with the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Forensic Autopsy Standards for toxicology report elements. The reports shall be reviewed and signed by a qualified certifying scientist or forensic toxicologist with Diplomate or Fellow certification status through the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists (ABFT).

2.1.6 The contractor shall have a certified Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level toxicologist(s) on staff and available during business hours (at least weekdays, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. MST) to answer any questions from OME physicians within a reasonable (no more than two hours) response time based on urgency of the communication (within one hour in most urgent situations). If a specific contact person is assigned by the contractor, this person does not need to be a PhD; however, one must be available. The County reserves the right to ask for a replacement contact person to be assigned to the account for any reason and the request shall be fulfilled within 48 hours.

2.1.7 The contractor shall properly maintain the submitted specimens for two years from the time of receipt according to forensic accreditation standards to ensure chain of custody and proper storage environments should additional testing be required.

2.1.8 The contractor shall provide training for two - four forensic pathology fellowship physicians for a rotation not more than two weeks with remote options.

2.1.9 The contractor shall provide expert consultation and testimony/materials in court proceedings, if necessary. The hourly rates for remote and/or in-person testimony, interview, and consultation with court officials shall be pre-approved by the County in writing including any travel related costs. The travel related cost shall be in accordance with “Exhibit 2– Office of Procurement Services Contractor Travel and Per Diem Policy”.

2.1.10 Regularly scheduled sessions (on-site or teleconference) are required to discuss challenging cases and to provide an opportunity for the forensic toxicologist to present topics of interest to the OME team. All travel expenses for Grand Rounds, training, and/or operational meetings at OME shall be at the expense of the contractor.

2.2 CONTRACTOR’S PERFORMANCE AND TESTING

2.2.1 The tests shall be performed, and results report completed with a secure electronic submittal of the certified toxicology report to the OME on average within two weeks of receipt of the specimens and at least 90 percent of reports must be submitted within 30 calendar days from receipt of the specimen.

2.2.2 There may be times that the OME needs to rush results for a specific case. Those cases are anticipated to be less than two percent of the overall cases and those results may be required within one week of submission. In those cases, the County shall notify the contractor of the need for urgency.

2.2.3 Access to reports shall interface with the County’s VertiQ System including automated databasing of analytes detected and concentrations quantified.

2.2.4 The contractor will work with the County’s IT department for any cyber compliance issues that are needed to ensure the integrity of any interfaces.

2.3 CONTAINERS, SHIPPING AND HANDLING INFORMATION

2.3.1 The contractor’s sample collections kits contain two gray-top test tubes (or equivalent containers with potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride) for postmortem blood collection, one plastic container for urine collection, and a biohazard bag. The contractor will also provide red-top tubes. The red top tube of vitreous humor can be shipped within the kit for each case as needed.

2.3.2 The contractor’s sample collections kits shall contain appropriate containers to ensure preservation of the specimens and accurate results.

2.3.3 The contractor shall be able to receive shipments at least Monday - Friday. Additionally, the contractor shall be operational on both Saturdays and Sundays, with availability to at least receive specimens in emergency situations.

2.3.4 The contractor shall ship supplies to ensure they are received by OME Monday - Friday between 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MST, except on County recognized holidays.

2.4 EXPEDITED TESTING

Expedited testing requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Impactors for expedited turnaround time are time of notification for the expedite request related to the sample submission (before, at request, or after initial testing has started), the number of tests that require expedite, and the number of positive findings. If an expedite is requested upfront, they can typically be completed in four to five days depending on the request and findings.

2.5 BREADTH OF TESTING MUST INCLUDE:

2.5.1 Basic panel that tests for major drugs of abuse and alcohols (with vitreous alcohol confirmation).

2.5.2 Expanded panel that tests for major drugs of abuse, alcohols (with vitreous alcohol testing), and other forensically relevant compounds expected in a drug overdose scenario (including, but not limited to, the classes and drugs below).

2.5.3 Panels for inhalational drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).

2.5.4 Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) testing

2.5.5 Vitreous electrolyte testing

2.5.6 Additional individual analyte testing

2.5.7 Testing on postmortem blood, fluid, and tissue matrices, including in cases with decomposed remains.

2.5.8 The test results must include confirmation and quantitation of the vast majority of detected drugs as part of the panel.

2.5.9 An up-to-date surveillance library that includes analytes outside the basic and expanded panels to identify additional relevant directed testing.

2.6 CLASSES AND ANALYTES

The expanded panel of testing should be comprehensive testing to include, but not be limited to, drugs of abuse, prescription medications, over the counter medications, and new and emerging analytes commonly seen in drug overdose deaths. This panel should at a minimum include the classes and analytes listed below:

CLASSES

Barbiturates

Opiates

Opioids

Benzodiazepines

Alcohols

Cocaine and Metabolites

Sympathomimetic Amines/Amphetamines

Cannabinoids

Antidepressants

Antipsychotics

Salicylates

Anticonvulsants

Antihistamines

CNS Stimulants

Hallucinogens

Hypnosedatives

Muscle Relaxants

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

ANALYTES

6-monoacetylmorphine

Acetyl Fentanyl

Buprenorphine

Carfentanil

Carisoprodol

Fentanyl

Meprobamate

Methadone

Mitragynine

Morphine, free

Naloxone

Oxycodone

Quetiapine

Gabapentin

Ketamine

Para-fluorofentanyl

Common Fentanyl analogs

8-Aminoclonazolam

Xylazine

2.7 REPORTING AND CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

2.7.1 The contractor shall meet and maintain compliance with all relevant Phase II NAME agency accreditation standards. The County shall be immediately notified of any status changes.

2.7.2 Laboratory reports shall include a summary of all positively identified substances with quantitative results of parent drug compounds and related metabolites for the vast majority of analytes tested. Toxicology reports are designed in alignment with the forensic accrediting body as well as requirements set forth by the NAME. A qualified certifying scientist or a forensic toxicologist with Diplomate or Fellow certification status through the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists (ABFT) shall issue a final report of analytical findings. Final reports must include all information necessary to allow definitive identification of the case and its source along with comprehensive test results, identification of sample(s) used for qualitative and quantitative analysis, and general reference comments.

2.7.3 All reports must align with NAME Forensic Autopsy Standards for toxicology report elements and any future updates NAME formally adopts. Currently:

· Source of sample

· Type of screen

· Test results

· Method of analysis

2.7.4 The contractor shall provide evidence of research and development to keep panels updated with currently forensically relevant drugs.

2.7.5 The contractor shall possess and maintain accreditation by the ABFT for postmortem toxicology testing.

2.7.6 The contractor shall possess and maintain accreditation by the American Society for Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) or other International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025 accrediting body for postmortem forensic toxicology work.

2.7.7 The laboratory director must be a Ph-D level toxicologist and certified by the ABFT.

2.7.8 The contractor shall have the ability to store and test specimens from a high volume of cases for the County (average: 600 cases/month; range: 460 to 1000 per month).

2.7.9 The contractor shall have a business continuity plan to accommodate an average caseload growth of approximately four percent annually for the foreseeable future. The contractor shall provide a copy of their continuity plan with this response.

2.7.10 The County shall be immediately notified of any status changes to items 2.7.1. through 2.7.9.

2.7.11 The contractor shall demonstrate longevity of service to similar size jurisdictions to affirm ability to meet all contract terms for the intended length of contract.

3.0 PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS

3.1 DELIVERY

3.1.1 Delivery is desired as soon as possible, and details shall be stipulated on the purchase order. Contractor shall notify the county representative listed on the order if the requested delivery date and/or the anticipated lead time cannot be met. Failure to communicate to County changes in the order status may result in default proceedings.

3.1.2 Supplies or equipment shall be delivered between the hours of 7:00 a.m. MST, Monday through Friday, except on County recognized holidays.

3.1.3 Delivery shall be F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid.

3.2 EXPEDITED DELIVERY

3.2.1 If the department determines that expedited delivery or other alternate shipping is required, it shall notify the contractor. The contractor shall determine any additional costs associated with such delivery terms and communicate that cost to the department.

3.2.2 The department shall not advise the contractor to proceed with an expedited shipment until acceptable terms are agreed upon and a purchase order is issued. Upon agreeing to the additional costs, the department shall advise the contractor to proceed.

3.2.3 Upon receipt of material(s) and invoicing, the department shall ensure that any additional charges are in compliance with and do not exceed agreed to costs. The department shall retain all documents related to these costs.

3.3 PERFORMANCE

It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to meet the proposed performance requirements. Maricopa County reserves the right to obtain services on the open market in the event the contractor fails to perform, and any price differential will be charged against the contractor.

3.4 SHIPPING DOCUMENTS

A packing list or other suitable shipping document shall accompany each shipment and shall include the following:

3.4.1 Contract serial number

3.4.2 Contractor’s name and address

3.4.3 Department name and address

3.4.4 Department purchase order number

3.4.5 A description of product(s) shipped, including item number(s), quantity(ies), number of containers, and package number(s), as applicable

3.5 SHIPPING TERMS

Bid price(s) and terms shall be F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid at the location(s) stipulated on the purchase order. All delivery locations are within Maricopa County.

3.6 ACCEPTANCE

Upon completion of services, service delivery shall be deemed accepted, and the warranty period shall begin when a) material(s)/equipment is installed (as necessary) and fully operational; and/or b) the department has deemed all service/work completed, including but not limited to, any inspection, repair, installation, design, development, deployment, operation, and initial training, (as applicable). Additionally, all documentation shall be completed prior to final acceptance.

3.7 USAGE REPORT

The contractor shall furnish the County a usage report, upon request, delineating the acquisition activity governed by the contract. The format of the report shall be approved by the County and shall disclose the quantity and dollar value of each contract item by individual unit of measure.

3.8 BACKGROUND CHECK

Bidders/proposers may be required to pass multiple background checks (e.g. Sheriff’s Office, County Attorney's Office, Courts, as well as Maricopa County general government) to determine if the respondent is acceptable to do business with the County. This applies to, but is not limited to, the company, subcontractors, and employees, and the failure to pass these checks shall deem the respondent non-responsible.

3.9 INVOICES AND PAYMENTS

3.9.1 The contractor shall submit one legible copy of their detailed invoice before payment(s) will be made. Incomplete invoices will not be processed. At a minimum, the invoice must provide the following information:

· Company name, address, and contact information

· County bill-to name and contact information

· Contract serial number

· County purchase order number

· Project name and/or number

· Invoice number and date

· Payment terms

· Date of service or delivery

· Quantity

· Contract item number(s)

· Arrival and completion time

· Description of purchase (product or services)

· Office of Medical Examiner Case Number

· Decedent name

· Pricing per unit of purchase

· Extended price

· Mileage with rate (if applicable)

· Freight (if applicable)

· Total amount due

3.9.2 Problems regarding billing or invoicing shall be directed to the department as listed on the purchase order.

3.9.3 Payment shall only be made to the contractor by Accounts Payable through the Maricopa County Vendor Express Payment Program. This is an electronic funds transfer (EFT) process. After contract award, the contractor shall complete the Vendor Registration Form that is accessible from the County Department of Finance Vendor Registration Website https://www.maricopa.gov/5169/Vendor-Information.

3.9.4 Discounts offered in the contract shall be calculated based on the date a properly completed invoice is received by the County.

3.9.5 EFT payments to the routing and account numbers designated by the contractor shall include the details on the specific invoices that the payment covers. The contractor is required to discuss remittance delivery capabilities with their designated financial institution for access to those details.

3.10 APPLICABLE TAXES

3.10.1 It is the responsibility of the contractor to determine any and all applicable taxes and include those taxes in their proposal. The legal liability to remit the tax is on the entity conducting business in Arizona. Tax is not a determining factor in contract award.

3.10.2 The County will look at the price or offer submitted and will not deduct, add, or alter pricing based on speculation or application of any taxes, nor will the County provide contractor any advice or guidance regarding taxes. If you have questions regarding your tax liability, seek advice from a tax professional prior to submitting your bid. You may also find related information at https://www.azdor.gov/Business.aspx. Once your bid is submitted, the offer is valid for the time specified in this solicitation, regardless of mistake or omission of tax liability. If the County finds overpayment of a project due to tax consideration that was not due, the contractor shall be liable to the County for that amount, and by contracting with the County agrees to remit any overpayments back to the County for miscalculations on taxes included in a bid price.

3.10.3 Tax Indemnification: Contractor and all subcontractors shall pay all Federal, state, and local taxes applicable to their operation and any persons employed by the contractor. Contractor shall, and require all subcontractors to, hold Maricopa County harmless from any responsibility for taxes, damages, and interest, if applicable, contributions required under Federal and/or state and local laws and regulations, and any other costs including transaction privilege taxes, unemployment compensation insurance, Social Security, and Workers’ Compensation. Contractor may be required to establish, to the satisfaction of County, that any and all fees and taxes due to a municipality or the State of Arizona for any license or transaction privilege taxes, use taxes, or similar excise taxes are currently paid (except for matters under legal protest).

3.11 POST AWARD MEETING

The contractor may be required to attend a post-award meeting with the department to discuss the terms and conditions of this contract. This meeting will be coordinated by the procurement officer of the contract.

3.12 STRATEGIC ALLIANCE for VOLUME EXPENDITURES (SAVE)

The County is a member of the SAVE cooperative purchasing group. SAVE includes the State of Arizona, many Phoenix metropolitan area municipalities, and many K-12 unified school districts. Under the SAVE Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, and with the concurrence of the successful respondent under this solicitation, a member of SAVE may access a contract resulting from a solicitation issued by the County. If contractor does not want to grant such access to a member of SAVE, state so in contractor’s bid. In the absence of a statement to the contrary, the County will assume that contractor does wish to grant access to any contract that may result from this bid. The County assumes no responsibility for any purchases by using entities.

3.13 INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENTS (ICPAs)

County currently holds ICPAs with numerous governmental entities. These agreements allow those entities, with the approval of the contractor, to purchase their requirements under the terms and conditions of the County contract. It is the responsibility of the non-County government entity to perform its own due diligence on the acceptability of the contract under its applicable procurement rules, processes, and procedures. Certain governmental agencies may not require an ICPA and may utilize this contract if it meets their individual requirements. Other governmental agencies may enter into a separate Statement of Work with the contractor to meet their own requirements. The County is not a party to any uses of this contract by other governmental entities.

3.14 CONFIDENTIALITY

In the course of the solicitation process, the County may disclose information that is proprietary or confidential. By submitting a bid to the solicitation, the offeror agrees that, except as necessary to prepare a response to this solicitation, neither it nor its agents or employees will communicate, divulge, or disseminate to any third-party persons or entities, any information that is disclosed to it by the County during the course of these discussions without the express written authorization of the County. If the offeror does disclose County proprietary or confidential information to a third party in preparing a response to this solicitation, it shall require the third party to acknowledge and comply with this provision.

3.15 PUBLIC RECORDS

Under Arizona law, all offers submitted and opened are public records and must be retained by the County at the Maricopa County Office of Procurement Services. Offers shall be open to public inspection and copying after contract award and execution, except for such offers or sections thereof determined to contain proprietary or confidential information by the Office of Procurement Services. If an offeror believes that information in its offer or any resulting contract should not be released in response to a public record request, under Arizona law, the offeror shall indicate the specific information deemed confidential or proprietary and submit a statement with its offer detailing the reasons that the information should not be disclosed. Such reasons shall include the specific harm or prejudice which may arise from disclosure. The records manager of the Office of Procurement Services shall determine whether the identified information is confidential pursuant to the Maricopa County Procurement Code.

3.16 RIGHTS IN DATA

3.16.1 The County shall have the use of data and reports resulting from a contract without additional cost or other restriction except as may be established by law or applicable regulation. Each party shall supply to the other party, upon request, any available information that is relevant to a contract and to the performance thereunder.

3.16.2 Data, records, reports, and all other information generated for the County by a third party as the result of a contract are the property of the County and shall be provided in a format designated by the County or shall be and remain accessible to the County into perpetuity.

3.17 ACCESS TO AND RETENTION OF RECORDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUDIT AND/OR OTHER REVIEW

3.17.1 In accordance with Section MC1-372 of the Maricopa County Procurement Code, the contractor agrees to retain (physical or digital copies of) all books, records, accounts, statements, reports, files, and other records and back-up documentation relevant to this contract for six years after final payment or until after the resolution of any audit questions, which could be more than six years, whichever is longest. The County, Federal or state auditors and any other persons duly authorized by the department shall have full access to and the right to examine, copy, and make use of, any and all said materials.

3.17.2 If the contractor’s books, records, accounts, statements, reports, files, and other records and back-up documentation relevant to this contract are not sufficient to support and document that requested services were provided, the contractor shall reimburse Maricopa County for the services not so adequately supported and documented.

3.18 INFLUENCE

3.18.1 As prescribed in MC1-1203 of the Maricopa County Procurement Code, any effort to influence an employee or agent to breach the Maricopa County Ethical Code of Conduct or any ethical conduct, may be grounds for disbarment or suspension under MC1-902.

3.18.2 An attempt to influence includes, but is not limited to:

3.18.2.1 A person offering or providing a gratuity, gift, tip, present, donation, money, entertainment or educational passes or tickets, or any type of valuable contribution or subsidy that is offered or given with the intent to influence a decision, obtain a contract, garner favorable treatment, or gain favorable consideration of any kind.

3.18.3 If a person attempts to influence any employee or agent of Maricopa County, the chief procurement officer, or his designee, reserves the right to seek any remedy provided by the Maricopa County Procurement Code, any remedy in equity or in the law, or any remedy provided by this contract.

3.18.4 ABSOLUTELY NO CONTACT BETWEEN THE RESPONDENT AND ANY COUNTY PERSONNEL, OTHER THAN THE OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES, IS ALLOWED DURING THE SOLICITATION PROCESS UNLESS THE COMMUNICATION IS IN REGARD TO PRE-EXISTING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY. ANY COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THE SOLICITATION, ITS PARTICIPANTS, OR ANY DOCUMENTATION PRIOR TO THE CONTRACT AWARD MAY BE GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OF THE RESPONDENT FROM THE EVALUATION PROCESS.

4.0 CONTRACTUAL AND SPECIAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

4.1 DRAFT CONTRACT SEE EXHIBIT 4

5.0 INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS (Note that this section does not become part of any resultant contract.)

5.1 Proposers are solely responsible for submitting proposals, and any modifications or withdrawals, to be received by the designated time as indicated by the solicitation (RFP, ITN, or any other solicitation notice).

5.2 Any proposal, modification, or withdrawal received after the designated time is late, per Paragraph MC1321 of the Maricopa County Procurement Code; late submissions will be rejected and not be evaluated.

5.3 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Request for Proposals Issued: 05/30/2025

Deadline for submitting written questions is by the end of business, 5:00 p.m. MST, on 06/12/2025. All written questions will be answered. All questions and answers shall be posted to the e-procurement platform (www.BidNet Direct.com) in the “Q&A” tab for the solicitation.

Proposals Opening Date: 06/1724/2025

Deadline for submission of proposals is 2:00 p.m. MST on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. All proposals must be received before 2:00 p.m. MST on this date via the e-procurement platform.

Proposed review of proposals and short list decision: Week of 06/2330/2025

Proposed respondent presentations: (if required) Week of 06/3007/07/2025

Proposed selection and negotiation: Week of 06/3007/07/2025

Proposed Best & Final (if required) Week of 06/3007/07/2025

Proposed award of contract: 07/2308/20/2025

All responses to this RFP become the property of Maricopa County and (other than pricing) will be held confidential until the award of the contract, to the extent permissible by law. After award of contract, responses become public record, except for such offers or sections thereof determined to contain proprietary or confidential information by the Office of Procurement Services. The County will not be held accountable if material from proposal responses is obtained without the written consent of the respondent by parties other than the County. If a contract is not awarded as a result of this solicitation, responses to this RFP do not become public record.

5.4 INQUIRIES

5.4.1 Inquiries concerning information herein must be submitted prior to the question deadline date/time posted in BidNet Direct in the “Q&A” tab.

5.4.2 Administrative telephone/email inquiries shall be addressed to:

jack koeller, PROCUREMENT OFFICER

TELEPHONE: (602) 506-8714

jack.koeller@maricopa.gov

5.4.3 Inquiries may be submitted by telephone but must be followed up in writing. No oral communication is binding on Maricopa County.

5.5 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING AND SUBMITTING PROPOSALS

5.5.1 Respondents shall submit their proposals electronically via the County’s the e-procurement platform (see EXHIBIT 1 for BidNet Direct Electronic Submission Instructions) prior to the bid closing and in accordance with Section 5.5 as follows:

5.5.1.1 Respondents shall upload each response document individually.

5.5.1.2 There are documents related to this solicitation located in the “Documents” tab in the e-procurement platform. Respondents must follow instructions to view/accept these documents before an offer can be placed on this bid.

5.5.1.3 Attachments: All attachments required to be submitted must be submitted with the bid or the bid will be non-responsive to the solicitation and will not be considered for award.

5.5.1.4 All documents shall be uploaded in their native file format (Word, Excel, etc.).

5.5.1.5 The following naming convention shall be utilized for each document: Vendor Name – Document Name.

5.5.1.6 In the event that the respondent would like to request that certain documents be held confidential, they shall include “Confidential” in the document name. See Section 3.15 - Public Records for more information.

5.5.1.7 Proposals shall be signed by an owner, partner, or corporate official who has been authorized to make such commitments (see Attachment B – Agreement Page)

5.5.2 All prices shall be held firm for a period of one year after the RFP closing date.

5.6 FORMAT AND CONTENT

5.6.1 To aid in the evaluation, it is desired that all proposals follow the same general format. Responses are limited to 25 pages, 10-point font type. The proposal must be submitted electronically and have documents clearly labeled as indicated below:

5.6.1.1 Proposal – This section shall contain an executive summary (an outline of the general approach utilized in the proposal), and a statement of all of the programs and services proposed, including conclusions and generalized recommendations. Proposals should be all-inclusive, detailing respondent’s best offer.

5.6.1.2 Qualifications – This section shall describe the respondent’s ability and experience related to the programs and services proposed. All project personnel, as applicable, shall be listed, including a description of assignments and responsibilities, a resume of professional experience, an estimate of the time each would devote to this program, and other pertinent information.

5.6.1.3 Exceptions to the Solicitation (See Section 5.7 – Exceptions to the Solicitation for instructions and formatting information)

5.6.1.4 Attachment A – Vendor Information (A fillable webform on BidNet Direct in the “Documents” section for this bid and which must be completed as part of a bid packet submission)

5.6.1.5 Attachment B – Agreement Page (Sign and upload as part of bid packet submission)

5.6.1.6 Attachment C – References (Upload as part of bid packet submission)

5.6.1.7 Attachment D – Pricing Sheet (An Excel spread sheet that must be downloaded from the document section of BidNet Direct, completed, and uploaded as part of a bid packet submission)

5.6.1.8 Attachment E - Specific Analytes in Each Panel (Basic and Expanded Panel)

5.6.1.9 Attachment F - Specific Analytes in Each Panel (Np, K2, Designer Opioids, and Designer Benzo)

5.6.1.10 Attachment G - Two Year History of Surveillance Testing Libraries and Explanation of How Emerging Drugs Have Been Added to Both Surveillance Libraries and Testing Panels

5.6.1.11 Attachment H - Copy of Continuity Plan to Demonstrate Ability to Handle Case Volumes During Staffing, Equipment, And Supply Chain Interruptions

5.6.1.12 Attachment I - Statement of Past Service Longevity and Ability to Provide Services Through Length of This Contract, With Applicable Proof

5.6.1.13 Exhibit 3 – Sole Proprietor Waiver (if applicable)

NOTE: The proposal should be specific and complete in every detail. It should be practical and provide a straightforward, concise delineation of capabilities to satisfactorily perform the contract being sought.

The respondent should not necessarily limit the proposal to the performance of the services in accordance with this Review of Qualifications but should outline any additional services and their costs if the respondent deems them necessary to accomplish the program.

5.7 EXCEPTIONS TO THE SOLICITATION

5.7.1 The respondent shall identify and list all exceptions taken to all sections of the RFP for SERIAL # 250080, Forensic Toxicology Lab Testing Services, referencing the section (paragraph) where the exception exists and, if applicable, providing any proposed alternatives to the requirement under the heading, “Exception to the Forensic Toxicology Lab Testing Services Solicitation, SERIAL # 250080.”

5.7.2 Exceptions that surface elsewhere and that do not also appear under the heading, “Exceptions to the Forensic Toxicology Lab Testing Services Solicitation, SERIAL # 250080” shall be considered invalid and void and of no contractual significance.

5.7.3 The County reserves the rights to accept any exception, discuss the exemption with the offeror, or reject any exception.

5.8 EVALUATION OF PROPOSAL – SELECTION FACTORS

5.8.1 A proposal evaluation committee shall be appointed, chaired by the procurement officer, to evaluate each proposal. At the County’s option, respondents may be invited to present their solution to the evaluation committee. Best & Final offers and/or negotiations may be conducted, as needed, with the highest rated respondent(s). Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria, which are listed in descending or equal order of importance.

5.8.1.1 Respondent’s Compliance with Testing Requirements

5.8.1.2 Respondent’s Compliance with Solution and Compliance with Other Specifications

5.8.1.3 Respondent’s Compliance with Required Accreditation and Certifications

5.8.1.4 Price

NOTES: RESPONDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE PROVIDED FORMS (ATTACHED OR AVAILABLE VIA BIDNET DIRECT) TO SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSAL.

RESPONDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO REVIEW MARICOPA COUNTY’S “STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS” PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A BID. FOR THIS INFORMATION, GO TO https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6453.

SERIAL # 250080-RFP

ATTACHMENT A: VENDOR INFORMATION

Attachment A – Vendor Information is a fillable form on BidNet Direct in the “Documents” section for this bid. It must be completed as part of a bid packet submission.

ATTACHMENT B: AGREEMENT PAGE

Attachment B – Agreement Page is a fillable form on BidNet Direct in the “Documents” section for this bid. It must be completed as part of a bid packet submission.

ATTACHMENT C: REFERENCES

Attachment C – References is a fillable form on BidNet Direct in the “Documents” section for this bid. It must be completed as part of a bid packet submission.

ATTACHMENT D: PRICING SHEET

Attachment D – Pricing Sheet is an Excel spread sheet that must be downloaded from the document section of the e-procurement platform, completed, and uploaded as part of a bid packet submission.

ATTACHMENT E: SPECIFIC ANALYTES IN EACH PANEL (BASIC AND EXPANDED PANEL)

Upload in Bidnet Direct under “Attachment E - Specific Analytes In Each Panel (Basic And Expanded Panel)”

ATTACHMENT F: SPECIFIC ANALYTES IN EACH PANEL (NP, K2, DESIGNER OPIOIDS, AND DESIGNER BENZO)

Upload in BidNet Direct under “Attachment F - Specific Analytes In Each Panel (NP, K2, Designer Opioids, and Designer Benzo)”.

ATTACHMENT G: TWO YEAR HISTORY OF SURVEILLANCE TESTING LIBRARIES AND EXPLANATION OF HOW EMERGING DRUGS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO BOTH SURVEILLANCE LIBRARIES AND TESTING PANELS

Upload in BidNet Direct under “Attachment G - Two Year History Of Surveillance Testing Libraries And Explanation Of How Emerging Drugs Have Been Added To Both Surveillance Libraries And Testing Panels”.

ATTACHMENT H: COPY OF CONTINUITY PLAN TO DEMONSTRATE ABILITY TO HANDLE CASE VOLUMES DURING STAFFING, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLY CHAIN INTERRUPTIONS

Upload in BidNet Direct under “Attachment H – Copy Of Continuity Plan To Demonstrate Ability To Handle Case Volumes During Staffing, Equipment, And Supply Chain Interruptions”.

ATTACHMENT I: STATEMENT OF PAST SERVICE LONGEVITY AND ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGH LENGTH OF THIS CONTRACT, WITH APPLICABLE PROOF

Upload in Bidnet Direct under “Attachment I – Statement Of Past Service Longevity And Ability To Provide Services Through Length Of This Contract, With Applicable Proof”

EXHIBIT 1: BIDNET DIRECT ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure that the response, including all necessary attachments, is received prior to the indicated closing date and time, Mountain Standard Time.

Be aware that submitting a password in the e-procurement platform acts as an electronic signature which is just as legal and binding as an original signature (see Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act for more information).

Vendors must be registered in BidNet Direct to the Arizona Purchasing Group in order to participate in the bidding process for this solicitation.

Vendors can register for a free account at www.bidnetdirect.com. Registered users will be able to search for bids, access bid information and documents, receive notifications about bids, and submit bids via BidNet Direct (www.bidnetdirect.com)for all open Maricopa County bids.

ONLY RESPONSES THAT ARE SUBMITTED THROUGH BIDNET DIRECT WILL BE CONSIDERED.

For assistance with the e-procurement platform, contact BidNet Direct Vendor Support during regular business hours, Phone: 1-800-835-4603 or Email: support@bidnet.com. The BidNet Direct Support Department is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST.

FINDING A SOLICITATION

Solicitations can be found by using the search bar if you know the name or number of the solicitation. If you are unsure of those, use the filter function on the left side navigation panel.

· Select Arizona, then Maricopa County from the Location filter.

· Select Member Agency Bids from the top tabs to see only Maricopa County bids.

The solicitation title and closing date/time will be displayed. Once you select the title, the solicitation will open and display basic information like the contact, purchase type and relevant dates. If a pre-bid conference is scheduled you will see that on this page.

The left side navigation panel will display tabs.

· Select he DOCUMENTS tab to display all relevant documents. Be sure to read all documents in their entirety as these will provide specific submission instructions.

· If you are asked to provide pricing in a specific document, be sure to download the pricing document from the document list. You are required to download or read all documents prior to submission.

SUBMITTING YOUR BID (bid/proposal/offer):

· Select the PLACE BID icon from the top right corner of your screen. A new window will pop up asking you to select PLACE A NEW BID or PLACE NO BID.

· If you select Place No Bid, you will be prompted for a reason prior to submitting.

· If you select Place New Bid, you will be routed to a page where you will upload all relevant documents.

· If there are line items associated with the bid, you will be asked for line-item pricing.

Once you have provided pricing through the requested document or through the line-item pricing,

· Select NEXT. A window will open where you can take exceptions to any aspect of the bid requirements. If you have exceptions, please describe them here. If you do not, scroll down to Compliance & Authentication.

Please note if you have not read all the solicitation’s related documents you will be prompted to read them all or risk non-compliance. You will enter your full name and password, then select SUBMIT BID. You will be asked if you are sure you want to proceed, if you select yes, you will be taken to a Bid Conformation page which states that your bid has been submitted.

You can print the confirmation or download a pdf of your submittal. You may withdraw or modify your proposal until the date/time the bid closes. You will receive a notification if any questions are asked or if any changes are made to the solicitation. You may be required to submit an Acknowledgement of any addenda.

A RESPONDENT’S BID OFFER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS RESPONSIVE BY THE COUNTY UNLESS ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED. THIS INCLUDES VIEWING/ACCEPTING ALL DOCUMENTS, UPLOADING REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS, AND PROVIDING AN OFFER/PROPOSAL.

MARICOPA COUNTY QUALIFICATIONS

If you provide A&E services or other related professional or construction services under Article 5 of the Maricopa County Procurement Code, please select the qualifications that you wish to be considered for under the Available Qualifications section. You will provide responses to the questions and upload the Pre-Qualification Application for each discipline.

ASKING A QUESTION:

· In order to ask a question, select Ask Question from the available options on the right side. This will open a dialog box where you will input a subject, ask your question, and select SUBMIT. The contact will receive a notification that a question has been asked. Once the answer to the question has been published, anyone who has downloaded the documents related to the bid will receive notice that an answer has been posted, and will be able to view all Q&A.

· Inquiries about the solicitation must be submitted via the e-procurement platform by the question deadline posted in the Bid Details.

· Inquiries may be submitted by telephone to the procurement officer for the solicitation but must be followed up in writing for the answer to be binding. No oral communication is binding on Maricopa County.

· Questions about the e-procurement platform’s functionality must be directed to BidNet Direct. Phone: 1-800-835-4603, Email: support@bidnet.com;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

When the respondent clicks “Confirm and submit response,” they acknowledge that the information and documents entered in the e-procurement platform are accurate and represent the supplier’s actual proposal, quote, or bid.

The e-procurement platform registers the date and time the offer has been received. Receipt of a respondent’s offer does not necessarily mean that an offer is finalized. ACCEPTANCE OF A RESPONDENT’S OFFER BY THE E-PROCUREMENT PLATFORM IS NOT AN INDICATION THAT THE COUNTY HAS ACCEPTED A RESPONDENT’S OFFER. THE COUNTY WILL EVALUATE THE RESPONSES RECEVIED AND MAY DETERMINE A RESPONSE IS NON-RESPONSIVE IF THE RESPONDENT HAS FAILED TO INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION, INCLUDING ATTACHMENTS, WITH THEIR SUBMISSION.

Be aware that entering information and uploading documents into the e-procurement platform may take considerable time. Allow sufficient time to complete the online forms and upload documents. It is recommended that suppliers submit responses a minimum of 24 hours prior to the closing deadline. The deadline for submitting information and documents will end at the closing time indicated in the solicitation. All information and documents must be fully entered, uploaded, acknowledged (Confirm) and recorded into the e-procurement platform before the closing time or the system will stop the process and the response will be considered late and will not be accepted.

Responses submitted in the e-procurement platform are completely secure. No one (including County purchasing staff) can see responses until after the deadline. Suppliers may modify or change their response at any time prior to the closing deadline. However, all modifications or changes must be completed and acknowledged (Confirm) in the e-procurement platform prior to the deadline. The e-procurement platform will post a notice that the modification/change (new offer) has been received. This notice from the e-procurement platform MUST be recorded prior to the closing date and time MST or the response will be considered late and will not be accepted.

EXHIBIT 2: OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES CONTRACTOR TRAVEL AND PER DIEM POLICY

1.0 All contract-related travel plans and arrangements shall be prior-approved by the County contract administrator.

2.0 Lodging, per diem, and incidental expenses incurred in performance of Maricopa County/Special District (County) contracts shall be reimbursed based on current U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) domestic per diem rates for Phoenix, Arizona. Contractors must access the following internet site to determine rates (no exceptions): www.gsa.gov.

2.1 Additional incidental expenses (i.e., telephone, fax, internet, and copying charges) shall not be reimbursed. They should be included in the contractor’s hourly rate as an overhead charge.

2.2 The County will not (under any circumstances) reimburse for contractor guest lodging, per diem, or incidentals.

3.0 Commercial air travel shall be reimbursed as follows:

3.1 Coach airfare will be reimbursed by the County. Business class airfare may be allowed only when preapproved in writing by the County contract administrator as a result of the business needs of the County when there is no lower fare available.

3.2 The lowest direct flight airfare rate from the contractor’s assigned duty post (pre-defined at the time of contract signing) will be reimbursed. Under no circumstances will the County reimburse for airfares related to transportation to or from an alternate site.

3.3 The County will not (under any circumstances) reimburse for contractor guest commercial air travel.

4.0 Rental vehicles may only be used if such use would result in an overall reduction in the total cost of the trip, not for the personal convenience of the traveler. Multiple vehicles for the same set of travelers for the same travel period will not be permitted without prior written approval by the County contract administrator.

4.1 Purchase of comprehensive and collision liability insurance shall be at the expense of the contractor. The County will not reimburse a contractor if the contractor chooses to purchase this coverage.

4.2 Rental vehicles are restricted to sub-compact, compact, or mid-size sedans unless a larger vehicle is necessary for cost efficiency due to the number of travelers. (NOTE: Contractors shall obtain pre-approval in writing from the County contract administrator prior to rental of a larger vehicle.)

4.3 County will reimburse for parking expenses if free, public parking is not available within a reasonable distance of the place of County business. All opportunities must be exhausted prior to securing parking that incurs costs for the County. Opportunities to be reviewed are the DASH, shuttles, etc. that can transport the contractor to and from County buildings with minimal costs.

4.4 County will reimburse for the lowest rate, long-term, uncovered (covered or enclosed parking will not be…