FDLE-ITB-2612 - Addenda 1.pdf

DATE:

SOLICITATION NUMBER: FDLE ITB 2612

SOLICITATION TITLE: Forensic Biology and STR DNA Testing Services

REPLY OPENING: January 22, 2026

ADDENDA NUMBER: 1

This addendum serves as notice of responses to questions received from potential Vendors relevant to the Invitation to Bid (ITB) and amended pages from the original ITB document.

Remove: Pages 4, 5, 20, 21, 27 of the original advertisement date Invitation to Bid document.

Insert: Attached pages 4, 5, 20, 21, 27 and 28 of the Invitation to Bid document marked amended

(January 12, 2026).

All other terms and conditions of the ITB remain unchanged.

THIS ADDENDUM NOW BECOMES PART OF YOUR PROPOSAL RESPONSE.

THE ADDENDA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM SHALL BE SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE, DATED AND RETURNED WITH THE BID RESPONSE.

ADDENDA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

COMPANY NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY: STATE: ZIP:

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE: TITLE:

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: DATE:

PHONE: EMAIL:

FAILURE TO FILE A PROTEST WITHIN THE TIME PRESCRIBED IN FLORIDA STATUTE 120.57(3) OR FAILURE TO FILE A BOND OR OTHER SECURITY WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED FOR FILING A BOND SHALL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF

PROCEEDINGS UNDER CHAPTER 120 FLORIDA STATUTES.

ATTACHMENT A

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

FDLE ITB 2612

Forensic Biology and STR DNA Testing Services

All written questions are reproduced in the same format as submitted by the Vendor.

Question #1 Will FDLE perform a technical review and evaluation of bids? If yes, by what criteria will FDLE determine whether a bid is technically acceptable?

Answer #1

FDLE will not conduct a technical evaluation for this ITB. Bids will be reviewed for responsiveness and responsibility to confirm compliance with all mandatory requirements and specifications.

Award will be made to the responsive and responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive grand total price, as stated in the Basis of Award.

Question #2 Section 3.13 Administrative Review Please provide the exhaustive list of mandatory requirements for the Bidder’s response.

Answer #2

The ITB does not contain a single exhaustive list of mandatory requirements. Mandatory requirements include all required documents, material requirements, and mandatory technical specifications contained throughout the ITB. Bidders are responsible for full compliance with the solicitation as issued.

Question #3

Section 1.3 - General Instructions All of the referenced PUR 1001 Sections within the ITB Section 1.3 do not line-up to any Sections within the ITB. Can you provide proper referenced Section numbers?

Example: Section 3. Electronic Submission of Responses: Responses must be submitted as required in Section 3.1.19.(There is no Section 3.1.19 within the ITB; should it be Section 3.9?)

Answer #3

The ITB has been revised to address the referenced section numbering. Updated and corrected section references have been incorporated into the solicitation via addendum. Bidders are responsible for reviewing the revised pages included with the addendum.

Question #4

Section 2.B.1.a.iii Testing may be conducted in rounds or waves (e.g. orifice swabs first).

Would all rounds need to be completed within 90 days, or just the first round? Is there a preference of working single perpetrator/no loss of consciousness cases in rounds or all up front?

Answer #4 The entire body of testing and reporting for a SAK must be completed, with a report issued, within 90 days, regardless of the testing approach used. FDLE does not indicate a preferred workflow, only that SAKs be tested exhaustively and within the 90-day timeframe.

Question #5

Section 6.d.iii Mathematical justification for the mixture entry (alleles in the mixture have probable genotypes that sum to >99%) must be provided and may be accomplished using a validated tool or workbook.

Is there a template tool that can be provided for validation on our end? Is this for all samples or for profiles that are CODIS eligible based on FDLE criteria?

Answer #5

FDLE does not require a specific workbook or prescribe the source of any calculation tool. Bidders may use any tool, provided it can be validated and supports a defensible mathematical justification for CODIS eligibility when such justification is necessary. Mathematical justification is required only when necessary to support CODIS eligibility, consistent with Section 2(A)(6).

Question #6

Attachment B Bid Price Sheet Line numbers 7 and 8 address hair assessment; line 7 is for 1 to 10 “hairs”, and line 8 is for 2 to 20 “hairs”.

Can you provide further information on how these two lines differ as there is significant redundancy in those items (i.e., both include the range of 2 to 10 “hairs” in the item/service description).

Answer #6 An amended Price Sheet addressing this issue has been posted to the Vendor Information Portal via addendum. Bidders are responsible for reviewing and utilizing the revised Price Sheet when preparing their bid response.

Question #7

Solicitation Introduction (page 3) Items 1 and 8 mention “number of copies required for submittal”

How many copies of our submittal are required with the original?

Answer #7 An updated and corrected section 3.9 has been incorporated into the solicitation via addendum.

Bidders are responsible for reviewing the revised pages included with the addendum.

Question #8

Section 2.B.1.b.v. Bedding/environmental items (e.g. couch cushions, carpet samples) require serology screening, and only positive stains will be forwarded for DNA testing.

For items with a significant number of stains, could testing on the item(s) be completed in rounds for single perpetrator type cases (i.e., if many stains, only a certain amount tested in first round)? If so, would all rounds need to be completed within 90 days, or just the first round?

Answer #8

For a single submission of items associated with a case, all testing is expected to be completed within 90 days. FDLE’s Case Acceptance Policy limits the number of items accepted per submission, and subsequent submissions occur only when prior testing does not yield probative results. Regardless of submission structure, testing associated with a case is expected to be completed within the 90-day timeframe.

Question #9 Section 2, (A)(6)(d) refers to the STRmix Component Interpretation Summary table and Genotype Probability Distribution and Component Interpretation Tables. Are these tables/workbooks provided by FDLE for the Vendor lab to utilize?

Answer #9

These are standard output from STRmix software. The STRmix software automatically generates this information for applicable analyses, whether the user exports these tables into their report or not. FDLE requests that these be included in the STRmix Report that is provided as part of the case record. This is accomplished by selecting Reports from the STRmix Main Menu and selecting from available summary report settings (Contributor Summary, LR Summary, Weights, Component Interpretation) and checking both Show Individual Contributors and Group by Contributor on the Component Interpretation Settings. Certain components have additional configurability. Please see the STRmix Operation Manual for your version of the software for a summary of the configurable reports and report settings to include the requested Component Interpretation.

Question #10

Section 2, (B)(1)(a)(iv)(4) describes testing of pubic hair combings. Please specify whether this would be testing of pubic hair washes or testing of the hair itself. If the vendor laboratory has a specialized protocol for hair testing, including rootless hair shafts, would it be acceptable to price the hair testing separately from the SAK price to avoid inflating the cost of SAKs since it is impossible to predict how many will require such method. If so, please add a line item for SAK hair testing.

Answer #10

This refers specifically to the testing of a “hair root” collected from a pubic hair combing. Washes of hair shaft(s) or rootless hair shaft testing will not be requested as part of SAK testing and therefore should not be included in SAK pricing. As indicated in the ITB Price Sheet Instructions, the vendor may supply a separate vendor-created list of services and prices for informational purposes.

Question #11 Is there an estimated quantity of bulk SAKs expected to be outsourced? What is the estimated quantity of property and violent crime cases expected to be outsourced annually? Is there an estimated quantity of unidentified human remains expected to be outsourced annually?

Answer #11

Outsourcing is based on FDLE Biology internal operational needs and addressed on a monthly basis. FDLE does not routinely outsource SAKs with offense dates after July 1, 2016, and there is no backlog of previously untested SAKs. Quantities of property crimes, violent crimes, and unidentified human remains cannot be reasonably estimated. Please refer to ITB page 16, G.8.b.

Question #12 It is understood that exhaustive testing must be performed before reporting a kit as negative.

Does this include non-SAK evidence? Is the non-SAK sexual assault evidence submitted at the same time as the SAK or as a separate round of testing?

Answer #12

The specification for exhaustive testing refers only to a SAK or a package containing items that would normally constitute that which is collected in a SAK (orifice swabs, other body swabs). Non- SAK evidence beyond one underwear and condom would be a separate submission. See Answer #8. It is not anticipated that a SAK and other indigenous (e.g. clothing) and environmental (e.g.

bedding) all be outsourced within a single submission, as they are not accepted as a single submission. Cases where an FDLE supervisor has agreed to an exception to the Case Acceptance Policy are not outsourced. See also ITB page 16, G. 8. b.

Question #13 Section 2, (F)(8)(c) states that the FDLE may utilize an additional accredited vendor to meet its needs should the Vendor not be able to accommodate the outsourcing needs of the FDLE. Will multiple awards be made under this ITB?

Answer #13 FDLE reserves the right, consistent with applicable law and operational need, to make additional awards if required to meet the needs of the State.

Question #14 Section 2, (I) states that “travel, per diem, incidentals may not be itemized for reimbursement by FDLE. Vendor responsible for arrangements.” Does this mean that the Vendor would arrange for reimbursement directly with the requesting attorney’s office?

Answer #14

FDLE’s customer for outsourced cases would be the law enforcement entity and applicable prosecutor. FDLE assumes the costs associated with outsourcing, including the costs associated with expert testimony. It is expected that the Vendor set a price for the various services. No reimbursement should be sought from the requesting prosecuting attorney’s office. Arrangements for payment where the requesting attorney is not FDLE’s customer, e.g. only the defense requests services, are between the defense and the Vendor. This is a highly rare occurrence. The Florida ASA will typically facilitate subpoenas and requests of the vendor, and FDLE will pay the vendor for services in accordance with a flat rate per quarter day, whole day

Question #15

Section 3.23 explains that the award will be based on the lowest responsive Grand Total price.

However, Attachment B – Price Sheet allows vendors to leave mtDNA pricing blank if they do not offer it. This will unfairly lower the Grand Total Price by not offering all requested services. Please exempt the mitochondrial DNA testing pricing from the Grand Total used for basis of award.

Answer #15 Lines 27-31 are exempt from Basis of Award. An amended Price Sheet addressing this issue has been posted to the Vendor Information Portal via addendum. Bidders are responsible for reviewing and utilizing the revised Price Sheet when preparing their bid response.

Question #16

The following questions pertain to Attachment B – Price Sheet:

o Please consider separating line item 36, courtroom testimony, into two separate prices.

One for in person testimony and one for video testimony, as these prices are often different. Additionally, please consider separating the full day price from the quarter day price. There is nowhere to list the unit of measure for pricing provided, and this will ensure equitable cost comparison across vendors when calculating the Grand Total.

o Please explain the difference between price line items 1 and 2 (swab screen vs. swab accession).

o Is the unit of measure for hair assessments on lines 7 and 8 “per hair” or is the one price intended to cover up to 10 and 20 hairs? Currently line 7 states it is for 1-10 hairs, and line 8 states it is for 2-20 hairs. Is line 8 supposed to be 11-20 hairs?

o M-Vac is often priced per filter rather than per item since it is unknown how many filters may be required for a given item. Please consider changing the unit of measure.

o For lines 10-14, it is requested to provide bulk or streamlined SAK processing pricing for one known reference and up to two forensic samples amplified per kit and states that pricing for additional extractions/quantitations/amplifications beyond the bulk price may be noted here and duplicated below. How many extractions are to be included in the SAK price? In order to provide an accurate price comparison between vendors, this should be specified.

o Line 10 specifies to screen orifice/body swabs. Does this mean that any other sample that is tested in order to provide exhaustive testing would utilize lines 15-18 as appropriate?

o Lines 12 and 13 do not describe which samples are to be screened as part of this price.

o Are lines 17 and 18 priced per fraction or is the expectation that the price includes both fractions?

o Lines 22 and 23 are optional if the price is not included in 16,18 or 20. In order to allow for a proper price comparison between vendors, we request that this line be required even if the pricing is the same.

Answer #16

• Regarding Line Item 36 (Courtroom Testimony), pricing shall be provided as a per-day rate, with quarter-day time periods defined as midnight–0600, 0600–1200, 1200–1800, and 1800– midnight, consistent with Florida Statute. Vendors should assume in-person trial testimony and include all associated travel time and expenses in the per-day rate. Billing shall be based on time spent, including travel days, as described in the Item/Service description. The quarter-day notation is informational only.

• Swab Screen refers to serological screening and collection of material for DNA testing when indicated (e.g., presumptive blood testing followed by cutting for DNA analysis).

• Swab Accession refers to direct collection of a sample from a swab when serology testing is not warranted or has already been performed, consistent with the Technical Specifications.

• For hair assessments, Line 7 applies to 1–10 hairs and Line 8 applies to 11–20 hairs. Pricing is not per hair and applies only to forensic biology examination. DNA testing of hairs is addressed under the applicable STR DNA Testing line items. See Answer #6 and Answer #10.

• FDLE does not request M-Vac testing; however, pricing is included on the Price Sheet to ensure services are available in rare circumstances if needed.

• Bulk SAK pricing includes one known reference and up to two forensic samples amplified per kit. Vendors may utilize validated workflows that involve extracting and quantitating samples up front or conducting testing in rounds or waves. Additional testing beyond the included samples may be billed using the applicable additional line items. See Answer #4 and Answer #8 regarding testing conducted in rounds or waves and the requirement that all testing and reporting be completed within the 90-day timeframe.

• Lines 10, 12, 13, and 14 correspond to different SAK scenarios based on the biological sex of the victim and alleged perpetrator. If pricing is the same across SAK types, vendors may repeat the same amount across applicable lines. Line 11 allows vendors to offer optional discounted pricing for bulk submissions of 20 or more SAKs.

• Lines 15–18 provide flexibility to accommodate different validated vendor workflows for additional extractions, quantitations, and amplifications beyond the samples included in bulk SAK pricing. A “sample” may consist of one or two fractions depending on whether differential extraction is performed. Vendors are not expected to utilize all line items when billing.

• Lines 22 and 23 are not optional. Where services are duplicative of other line items, the same pricing should be repeated in all applicable locations to allow for equitable price comparison.

Question #17

To ensure proper price comparisons between vendors, we request that that FDLE update section

3.23 to clarify that the award will be a true apples to apples comparison and base the lowest responsive Grand Total only on required items or items for which all responsive vendors provided pricing.

Answer #17 Award will be made in accordance with Section 3.23 of the ITB to the responsive and responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive Grand Total price for all required specifications and considerations. The ITB establishes the pricing structure and identifies any items excluded from the Basis of Award. No additional weighting, normalization, or adjustment methodology will be applied.

Question #18 What is your expected volume per submission type?

Answer #18

This cannot be predicted for the purposes of the bid, as outsourcing needs fluctuate greatly in a large high-throughput laboratory system and are largely related to in-house personnel effective full-time equivalencies rather than any sort of predicable metric. Incoming casework workloads and availability of funds for outsourcing rarely fluctuate. Historically, outsourced batches have varied from 0 to 150 cases per month to a vendor. See Technical Specification G. 8. b. FDLE will not ship more cases to a vendor in a given month than the vendor advises it can accept with reasonable expectation for fulfilling the requirements for turnaround time and further expects open communication in these matters.

Question #19 Can we submit a short proposal (10 pages max) explaining our capabilities alongwith the required documents?

Answer #19

No. This ITB does not request or permit the submission of narrative proposals, capability statements, or other supplemental materials beyond those expressly required by the solicitation.

Any unsolicited materials submitted will not be reviewed or considered as part of the bid evaluation and will not factor into the determination of responsiveness or award.

Question #20 Would you like us to submit additional pricing for our other services, including rush processing?

Answer #20

No additional pricing beyond that requested in Attachment B – Price Sheet will be evaluated for purposes of award. Vendors may, at their discretion, submit supplemental pricing information for informational purposes only; however, such pricing will not be reviewed, evaluated, or incorporated into the Basis of Award.

Question #21 Line 32 Attachment B: Is this in addition to line 21? What is your expectation is that you’d be combining lines 21 and 32 for billing?

Answer #21

Lines 21 and 32 may be additive in certain circumstances or be a considered a separate service by the vendor. In the example provided, known submitted for comparison and statistical analysis report after a CODIS hit, Line 21 and line 32 would both be billed. If the second submission of additional items for testing follows the same pricing as original, the work could be billed as Line

21. This, however, also assumes that there are no expected additional charges for requesting a known reference sample worked by the vendor to be compared to a forensic sample worked by the vendor. If the vendor does charge for “extra reports” on a case, it can be reflected here and would establish a Line Item that could be charged if that vendor is contracted for testing. Placing $0 here reflects that the vendor does not charge extra or separately just for comparison and reporting.

Addenda 1 January 12, 2026

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTORY SECTION

The State of Florida, Department of Law Enforcement, hereinafter called the FDLE, Department, Agency, State, Customer or Purchaser, issues this invitation to obtain competitive sealed bids for the Forensic Biology and STR

DNA Testing Services. This Invitation to Bid (ITB) and all activities leading towards the anticipated issuance of a

Contract pursuant to this ITB are conducted pursuant to Chapters 943 and 287 Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Rule

60A-1 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

1.1. AGENCY INTENT

The contract resulting from this solicitation is expected to begin upon execution and remain in effect for a period of three years. The selected Respondent will be expected to assume the responsibilities outlined herein upon contract execution.

The State reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to renew the Contract resulting from this solicitation for three

(3), one (1) year periods, or for the length of the contract whichever is greater. Renewal of the Contract shall be in writing and shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the existing Contract. All renewals are contingent upon satisfactory performance by the Contractor and the availability of funds. Pursuant to Section

287.057(14), Florida Statutes, exceptional purchase contracts may not be renewed. Exceptional purchase contracts are defined in Section 287.012(12), Florida Statutes.

1.2. HEADING AND SECTION REFERENCES

Section headings in this ITB are inserted for convenience only and are not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the particular section to which the heading refers.

1.3. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS (PUR 1001)

Pursuant to Rule 60A-1.002 F.A.C, the State of Florida General Instructions to Respondents (PUR 1001, 2006 version) is incorporated herein by reference and can be accessed at:

State Purchasing (PUR) Forms / State Agency Resources / State Purchasing / Business Operations - Florida Department of Management Services (myflorida.com)

Special Instructions

The following special instructions modify the general instructions provided in the incorporated PUR 1001 and shall take precedence over conflicting terms of the PUR 1001 which are inapplicable and superseded by this ITB.

Paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, and 20 of the PUR 1001 (General Instructions) are deleted and are replaced as follows:

Section 3. Electronic Submission of Responses: Responses must be submitted as required in Section 3.1.193.9.

Section 4. Terms and Conditions: All Replies are subject to the terms of this solicitation, which, in case of conflict, shall have the order of precedence listed in the Order of Precedence for Solicitation section.

The Department shall not accept any unrequested terms or conditions submitted by a Respondent, including any appearing in documents attached as part of a Respondent’s Reply. In submitting its Reply, a Respondent agrees that any additional terms or conditions, whether submitted intentionally or inadvertently, shall have no force or effect.

Section 5. Questions: Questions must be submitted as specified in Section 3.1.31.9.

Section 6. Conflict of Interest: Replaced with Section 3.1.14

Section 7. Convicted Vendors: Replaced with Section 3.1.10

Section 12. Public Opening: Replaced with Section 3.1.204.11

Section 13. Electronic Posting of Notice of Intended Award: Replaced with Section 5.23.24

Section 14. Firm Response: Replaced with Section 3.1.253.16

Section 15. Clarifications/Revisions: Replaced with Section 3.2.34.12

Section 16. Minor Irregularities/Right to Reject: Replaced with Section 3.2.2

Section 20. Protests: Replaced with Section 5.54.7

Section 21. Limitation on Vendor Contact with Agency During Solicitation Period: Replaced with Section 1.91.6

1.4. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

The FDLE has established certain requirements with respect to bids to be submitted by respondents. The use of

“shall”, “must” or “will” (except to indicate simple futurity) in this ITB indicates a requirement or conditions from which a material deviation may not be waived by the Department. A deviation is material if, in the Department’s sole discretion, the deficient response is not substantially in accordance with the ITB requirements, provides an advantage to one respondent over other respondents, has potentially significant effect on the quantity or quality of items bid, or on the cost of the Department. Material deviations cannot be waived. The words “should” or

“may” in this ITB indicate desirable attributes or conditions but are permissive in nature. Deviation from, or omission of, such a desirable feature, will not in itself cause rejection of a Bid.

1.5. PROCUREMENT OFFICER

The Procurement Officer, acting on behalf of the FDLE, is the sole point of contact outside of official public meetings, with regard to all procurement matters relating to this solicitation, from the date of the release of the solicitation until the FDLE Notice of Intent to Award is posted on the Vendor Information Portal (VIP).

All questions or requests for clarification are to be directed in writing to:

Angela Githens Office of General Services Florida Department of Law Enforcement 2331 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL 32308 Email: FDLEOGSContracts@fdle.state.fl.us

***PLACE THE ITB NUMBER IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF ALL EMAILS TO THE PROCUREMENT OFFICER***

3.7. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES SUBSTITUTE W-9 INITIATIVE

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) must have the correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and other related information (i.e. Social Security number) to report accurate tax information to the Internal

Revenue service and determine if a vendor should receive a Form 1099. A completed Substitute form W-9 is required for any entity to receive payment from the State of Florida. Vendors must submit their W-9 forms electronically at the DFS website: https://flvendor.myfloridacfo.com/

The awarded Vendor must have a valid W-9 on file with the DFS prior to issuance of a Purchase Order. This may be completed by the Bidder post-award and is not something which FDLE will consider in determining the responsiveness of a bid.

3.8. BID PRICE SHEET

The Bidder must submit pricing on Attachment B – Price Sheet. Vendor generated price sheets will not be accepted. Prices shall include all incidentals and associated costs required to comply with and satisfy all requirements referred to or included in this solicitation. Bids which do not meet the requirements specified in the ITB will not be considered for selection.

No remuneration is available to the Bidder beyond the Bid price for all specifications and considerations in response to this ITB, as outlined herein. Bidders will be strictly held to the prices of their Bid. Any and all optional renewals shall be subject to a maximum price increase of no more than THREE PERCENT (3%) for each optional renewal year. No retroactive price adjustments will be allowed.

3.9. BID PACKAGING AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The instructions for this solicitation have been designed to help ensure that all Bids are reviewed and evaluated in a consistent manner, as well as to minimize costs and response time. Any and all information submitted in variance with these instructions is subject to not being reviewed or evaluated.

Bidders shall submit one printed copy with an original signature of the company’s authorized representative with the power to bind the company, and one electronic copy on a USB drive.

Prices shall be submitted in the format specified on the Price Sheet (Attachment B).

Bidders shall submit bids that address each of the requirements specified in this ITB. Bidders shall provide sufficient information to enable FDLE to make a fully informed decision.

Hand-delivered responses will not be accepted under any circumstances. FDLE Headquarters is a secure facility, and in-person delivery is not authorized.

Replies must be submitted by U.S. Mail, United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express (FedEx), or other approved third party courier services. Electronic submission or facsimile transmission of Replies is NOT authorized and will

NOT be accepted.

FDLE ITB 2612

Replies are routed to the Department’s Off-Site Mail Facility which may cause delays in delivery and receipt by

General Services. Respondents are responsible for allowing sufficient time to ensure timely delivery and receipt.Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope/container. Bids must be submitted by U.S. Mail, United Parcel

Service (UPS), Federal Express (FedEx), private courier, or hand delivery. Electronic submission or facsimile transmission of a Bid is NOT authorized and will NOT be accepted. Bidders are cautioned that shipped Bids will be routed to the Department’s Mail Processing Center in an off-site facility which may cause delays in delivery and receipt by the Office of General Services. Bidders choosing to mail Bids must take this into consideration and allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery and receipt.

BIDDERS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING LABEL ON THE OUTSIDE OF ALL SEALED PACKAGES:

RESPONDING BIDDER NAME

Solicitation Number: FDLE ITB 2612 Title: Forensic Biology and STR DNA Testing Services Bid Opening: January 22, 2026

The FDLE mailing address is:

ATTENTION:

Angela Githens FDLE Off-Site Mail Facility c/o Florida Department of Law Enforcement, General Services 813B Lake Bradford Road Tallahassee, FL 32304

BIDS RECEIVED AFTER THE EXACT TIME/DATE SPECIFIED IN SECTION 1.7 WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

FAILURE TO INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION REQUESTED WITHIN THIS ITB AT THE TIME OF

SUBMISSION, OR AT THE TIME PRESCRIBED BY THE FDLE, WILL LEAD TO REJECTION OF THE BID FOR NON-

RESPONSIVENESS. IF BIDDERS ARE UNSURE OF THE REQUIRED INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION, CONTACT

THE PROCUREMENT OFFICER. DO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS.

3.10. BIDDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By submission of a signature on the FDLE Acknowledgment Form, the Bidder certifies that they comply with all terms and conditions contained herein. The Bid must contain the original signature of an authorized representative who can legally bind the Bidder. The product offered by the Bidder will conform to the specifications of this ITB without exception.

Bidders must include the signed FDLE Acknowledgement Form and any Addendas with their Bid response.

3.11. VENDOR GENERATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS

FDLE objects to and shall not consider any additional terms and conditions submitted by a Bidder, including any appearing in documents attached as part of a Bidder’s response. In submitting a response, a Bidder agrees that any additional terms or conditions, whether submitted intentionally or inadvertently, shall have no force and

FDLE ITB 2612

The employment of unauthorized aliens by any Vendor is considered a violation of Section 274A (e) of the

Immigration and Nationality Act. If the Vendor knowingly employs unauthorized aliens, such violation shall be cause for unilateral cancellation of the Bid award.

4.6. NO PREFERENCE

Pursuant to Section 287.05701 F.S., the Department does not give preference to any vendor based on that vendor’s social, political or ideological interests.

4.7. PROTEST AND PROTEST FILING

Any Respondent or person who is adversely affected by the Notice of Intended Award, who desires to protest a decision, intended decision, or recommended award, must file with FDLE the appropriate document(s) in accordance with section 120.57(3), F.S.

Agency Clerk – Office of the General Counsel Florida Department of Law Enforcement P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 AgencyClerk@fdle.state.fl.us

Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond, shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

The Procurement Officer should be copied on such filings.

4.8. RIGHTS FOR AWARD

FDLE reserves the right to:

1. Award a contract to one (1) Bidder for the services encompassed by this solicitation.

2. Award and contract with other Responsive and Responsible Bidder in the event that FDLE is unable to contract with the initially awarded Bidder(s).

3. Reject all Replies and determine whether to reissue a competitive solicitation.

4. Withdraw or cancel the solicitation and make no award.

The FDLE reserves the right to accept or reject any offers or separable portions and to waive any minor irregularity, technicality, or omission if FDLE determines that doing so will serve the best interest of the State.

4.9. OTHER RESERVED RIGHTS

FDLE has the right to use any or all ideas or adaptations of the ideas presented in any Reply. Selection or rejection of a Reply will not affect this right.

FDLE reserves the right, after posting a Notice of Intended Award, to withdraw or cancel the procurement, or amend its Notice of Intended Award at any time prior to execution of a Contract.

FDLE ITB 2612

4.10. NO CONTRACT UNTIL EXECUTION

A Notice of Intended Award under this ITB shall not constitute or form any contract between FDLE and a Bidder.

No contract shall be formed until such time as Bidder and FDLE formally execute a contract with requisite written signatures.

4.11. REPLY OPENING

In lieu of conducting public openings, the public will be permitted to join the openings via teleconference. The teleconference information has been provided in the Schedule of Events, Section 1.7, above. In addition, the reply opening will be audio recorded to meet the public records requirements of Chapters 119 and 286, F.S., and made available upon receipt of any pertinent public records request.

4.12. CLARIFICATION REQUESTS (CR)

Throughout the solicitation process, FDLE may request clarification(s) of uncertainties, or to eliminate confusion concerning the contents of a Reply, or ambiguous or inconsistent information in submitted Replies, using the following process:

If FDLE detects an ambiguity or inconsistency within a Reply, the FDLE Procurement Officer or designee will request clarification utilizing a Clarification Request (CR) describing the ambiguity or inconsistency.

Bidders are cautioned that FDLE will not generate a CR for an omission, even of a mandatory topic or mandatory requirement.

The FDLE Procurement Officer or designee will coordinate with Bidder a time for responses to all CRs to be submitted.

Within twenty-four (24) hours, unless another timeframe is authorized by the FDLE Procurement Officer or designee, of the conclusion of the conference call, meeting, or written request by which the CR is communicated, the Bidder shall send to the FDLE Procurement Officer or designee (by e-mail) the written Clarification Request

Responses (CRR) with a letter binding the Bidder to the contents of the CRR and signed by an individual authorized to bind the Bidder. The Bidder should confirm receipt of the CRR by FDLE. FDLE will ignore oral discussions, and any written material that does not respond directly to a CR.

FDLE will use the written CRR to update the Bidder’s Reply. An unresolved CR may result in an Evaluator scoring a

Bidder’s Reply lower.

FDLE will not generate a Clarification Request for omissions in the Reply; THEREFORE, DO NOT RELY ON

CLARIFICATION REQUESTS TO IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES.

Clarification Request Responses are restricted to information that responds directly to a Clarification Request;

therefore, Bidders should not submit information that does not respond directly to a CR in the written CRR. If a

Bidder does submit new information that does not directly respond to the CR, FDLE will not evaluate it.

Clarifications may not result in a material or substantive change to the Bidder’s Reply.

FDLE ITB 2612