ISP pipette tips 9-17-2026.pdf

Request Form to Division of Purchasing (DOP)

Sole Source Authorization - SSA - New

If you have any questions please contact us at DOPHelpDesk@adm.idaho.gov

Form ID 23518

Generated after Receipt by DOP

Year

Requestor Information

Agency Name* Idaho State Police

Agency Acronym*

ISP

Requestor Name* Olivia Sorenson

Phone* 208-884-7033

E-mail* olivia.sorenson@isp.idaho.gov

Property Being Purchased:* Mettler Toledo Rainin pipette tips

This field has a 300 character limit

Type of Exemption Check all that apply

Type of Exemption*

A solicitation has been completed and my Agency wishes to award contracts to multiple vendors for the same or smilar property (Multiple Award Authorization)

My Agency wishes to administer or award a solicitation at a dollar amount above its normal Delegated Purchasing Authority (Limited/One-Time DPA)

The property required is available on one or more open contracts, but my Agency wishes to purchase from a different vendor. (Note: if total value is over $10,000, Agency must also check the box for exemption from competition if requesting to pruchase from a specific vendor). (Utilization of Open Contract).

A solicitation is being developed (by my Agency under its DPA or in conjunction with DOP) and my Agency wishes to limit responses to a specific manufacturer/brand name (I.e. no substitutions). (Note: this option assumes that multiple vendors can offer the identified brand name; otherwise, select the option for exemption from competition to request a Sole Source Authorization (Brand Name Only)

A solicitation has been completed and there is a need to negotiate with one or more vendors. (Authorization to Negotiate)

My Agency is seeking to purchase directly from an identified vendor without completing a solicitation OR wishes to perform a level of competition that is less formal than would typically be required. (Various exemptions-additional questions to follow) mailto:olivia.sorenson@isp.idaho.gov

Additional Questions*

There is an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare (Emergency Purchase Authorization)

The required property can only be procured from a single supplier (sole manufacturer and distributor) (Sole Source Authorization)

There is an existing Policy Directive on the DOP website which requires authorization to be utilized (Utilization of Policy Directive)

It would be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous to complete the required competitive process under the circumstances (One Time Exemption).

Sole Source Authorization

IDAPA 38.05.01.042.02 provides that sole source purchase shall be used only if a requirement is reasonably available from a single supplier.

Fiscal Year*

FY27

Type of Request*

New

Renew (Agency wishes to extend an existing sole source authorization)

Amend (Check this box to request a change to the goods/services, term or other conditions of the

SSA)

Both Renew and Amend

New

Name of Requested Vendor* Mettler Toledo - Rainin

Desired Term in Years*

Anticipated Total Cost (for full desired term):

$50,000.00

Do you anticipate the need for renewals?

Yes No

Property* Describe the property you are seeking

Mettler Toledo Rainin pipette tips for use with Rainin pipettors in ISPFS DNA laboratory testing and analysis. The disposable pipette tips are used to accurately acquire and dispense microliter volumes of reagents and DNA evidence samples during validated DNA testing processes.

Justification* Check all that apply

Sole source provider of a licensed or patented good or service

Sole manufacturer AND distributor

Sole provider of factory-authorized/warranty service

Sole provider of items that are compatible with existing equipment, systems, programs, etc.

Other

Business Need* Describe the Agency's business need for the requested property

ISPFS DNA Unit requires Mettler Toledo Rainin pipette tips for accurate and reliable DNA testing. The tips are used with Rainin pipettors to precisely measure and dispense microliter volumes of reagents and DNA evidence samples as part of the laboratory's validated testing processes.

https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/38/380501.pdf

This field has a 300 character limit

Description* Describe what makes the identified property unique. Why is it the only property that could meet your business need?

The Mettler Toledo Rainin pipette tips are unique because they are the specific manufacturer-produced tips used with the Rainin pipettors incorporated into the ISP Forensic Services DNA Unit's validated laboratory testing processes. Accurate and precise liquid handling is critical to forensic DNA analysis, as testing involves very small volumes measured in microliters. Even a small difference in the volume transferred can affect testing results, including standard curves, controls, measurements, and the laboratory's ability to obtain a DNA profile from an evidence sample.

ISPFS has performed validation studies of its DNA testing processes using the Mettler Toledo Rainin pipette tips and has demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of the pipetting process using these specific tips. The fit, dimensions, and manufacturing specifications of a pipette tip can affect the accuracy and precision of liquid transfer. Therefore, a product described by another manufacturer or supplier as "Rainin compatible" does not establish that it is manufactured to the same specifications or has been validated for use in the ISPFS DNA testing process.

ISPFS has researched alternative pipette tips available through state contract suppliers, including Fisher Scientific and VWR. These suppliers offer products identified as compatible with Rainin pipettors; however, ISPFS has not received information demonstrating that these products are manufactured by Mettler Toledo Rainin or that they are the same validated product used by the laboratory. To ISPFS's knowledge, Mettler Toledo Rainin is the sole manufacturer and distributor/supplier of the required tips.

Substituting a different manufacturer's product would require the laboratory to conduct additional validation to establish that the alternative tips provide equivalent accuracy, precision, and reliability within the existing DNA testing process. Such revalidation could require significant laboratory resources and substantial costs. For these reasons, the Mettler Toledo Rainin pipette tips are the only property identified by ISPFS that can meet the laboratory's current business need while maintaining its validated testing processes.

Alternatives* Describe the research you conducted to identify other potential property/sources. What potential alternatives did you find and why will they not meet the Agency's business needs?

ISPFS researched alternative pipette tips available through state contract suppliers, including Fisher Scientific and VWR. Products from these suppliers were identified as “Rainin compatible”; however, compatibility with Rainin pipettors does not establish that the tips are manufactured by Mettler Toledo Rainin or to the same manufacturing specifications as the validated product.

The DNA Unit requires the specific Mettler Toledo Rainin tips because its pipetting processes have been validated using these tips.

Substituting tips from another manufacturer would require additional validation to demonstrate equivalent accuracy, precision, fit, and reliability within the laboratory's DNA testing processes. The use of an unvalidated alternative could affect the accuracy of microliter liquid transfers and, consequently, the reliability of DNA testing results.

ISPFS has not received information from Fisher Scientific or VWR demonstrating that they can source the required tips directly from Mettler Toledo Rainin. Based on the research conducted, no alternative product or source has been identified that meets the laboratory's requirement for the specific validated Mettler Toledo Rainin pipette tips.

File Upload and Certification

Notes

File Upload

Maximum File Size 250 MB

Agency Certification*

By submitting this form, I certify that the information provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, supports the requirement for a sole source procurement, and is in the best interest of the State.

Signature* Date Submitted* 2026-09-09

Approval - SSA

Administrator Intends to approve*

Yes No

(Pending legal notice and appeal period)

Optional Posting?* This exemption will be sent for posting before final approval.

Yes No

Notes Public View

This field has a 300 character limit

File Upload

Maximum File Size 250 MB

DOP Signature*

DOP Printed Name* Mike Gwinn

DOP Title* Deputy Administrator

Date Time 2026-09-17