RFI-Lab Accreditation-UPDATED.docx

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

FINANCE AND FACILITIES DIVISION | PROCUREMENT SECTION

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Laboratory Division

RFI-PR-26-000028

DISCLAIMER:

This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposal (RFP) or quote (RFQ). It is not a solicitation and should not be interpreted as a commitment by the government. Responses are not considered offers, and the government holds no obligation to award a contract based on this notice. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this announcement is strictly voluntary.

INTRODUCTION

Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) will help define final requirements and identify qualified vendors capable of meeting them. The following description presents preliminary requirements envisioned for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Information gathered through this process may contribute to developing acquisition strategies for competitive solicitations.

Background of Mission

The FBI Laboratory is one of the largest and most comprehensive forensic laboratories in the world. The mission of the FBI Laboratory is to apply scientific capabilities and technical services to the collection, processing, examination/analysis, and exploitation of evidence for the FBI and other duly constituted law enforcement agencies in support of investigative and intelligence priorities.

In addition to conducting scientific analysis of evidence submitted for examination, the FBI Laboratory provides expert testimony in court as well as operational and technical support to FBI investigations both domestically and internationally.

Objectives

The objective of this RFI is to canvas potential vendors that can provide the FBI Laboratory with assessment/reaccreditation services of its forensic laboratories in Quantico, VA. and Huntsville, AL., and initial assessment/accreditation of its facility in Norcross, GA for Rapid DNA. All assessments must occur simultaneously.

Accreditation Requirements The accrediting body must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for the accreditation of the FBI Laboratory’s forensic laboratories:

· International Recognition and Compliance The accrediting body must be recognized by both the InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) as compliant with ISO/IEC 17011 Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity Assessment Bodies. The accrediting body must operate in accordance with applicable ISO and ILAC standards and practices.

· NDIS Approval and Statutory Compliance The accrediting body must be approved by the National DNA Index System (NDIS) Procedures Board to ensure the FBI Laboratory’s continued participation in NDIS, as required under 42 U.S.C. §14132(b)(2)(A). This statute mandates that laboratories contributing DNA records to NDIS must be accredited by a nonprofit professional association composed of individuals actively engaged in forensic science and nationally recognized within the forensic science community. The NDIS Procedures Board evaluates accrediting bodies to confirm compliance with these statutory criteria:

· Nonprofit status

· Composition of members actively involved in forensic science

· National recognition within the forensic science community. Only accrediting bodies approved by the NDIS Procedures Board are authorized to accredit laboratories participating in NDIS or generating DNA records for upload to Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

· Relevant Experience and Community Legitimacy The accrediting body must demonstrate substantial experience in assessing forensic laboratories, including federal government forensic laboratories, Department of Justice (DOJ) forensic laboratories, and FBI forensic laboratories. The accrediting body must be widely recognized for its legitimacy and credibility within the forensic science community.

· Technical Evaluation Capabilities The accrediting body must be capable of evaluating the FBI Laboratory’s forensic operations and quality management system against the standards outlined in:

· ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories

· 2023 ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accreditation Requirements for Testing and Calibration (AR 3125).

These standards form the foundation of the FBI Laboratory’s Quality System. Additionally, the accrediting body must be able to conduct a comprehensive audit of DNA operations using the criteria established in:

· Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories

· Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories Additionally, the accrediting body must be capable of securing technical assessors who are members of the forensic community:

· Currently or previously employed by an accredited laboratory/laboratory system to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards, and/or

· Individuals who have retired honorable from federal, state, or local law enforcement oriented in forensic science laboratories). If a technical expert is needed, the accrediting body must seek prior approval from the laboratory.

The accrediting body must also be capable of providing technical assessors who’s competency has been determined by the successful completion of a training program in the interpretation of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

This RFI is open to all business contractors for market research purposes only. The Government would like to know which firms can provide services meeting the requirements listed above by identifying themselves, responding to this RFI.

The Government requests the following information to be in:

1. Company name, UEI number, NACIS code, and business size.

2. Provide evidence to show that your company can provide the required products (i.e., technical ability, personnel, and experience).

3. Address whether your company has a GSA Schedule and if they can provide these products on schedule. If able to provide the product on schedule, provide the schedule and SIN.

4. Information provided shall be succinct and related to the requested information in this RFI. All submissions shall be unclassified.

Required Information:

Contractor Legal/DBA Name:

Address:

Point of Contact:

Telephone:

Email Address:

UEI Number:

Cage Code:

Facility Clearance (if applicable):

Applicable NAICS Codes:

Standard Business Size:

GSA Schedule:

NASA SEWP Contract:

DISCLAIMER

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. The government is not committed to issuing a solicitation or awarding a contract as a result of this announcement.

Per FAR 15.202(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a binding contract. Additionally, no funds are available to cover the costs of response preparation or sample submissions. Participation is strictly voluntary, and submitted information will not be compensated or returned.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR RESPONSE:

All interested parties shall submit capability packages in response to this notice.

1. Do submit succinct, thoughtful responses to the requirements/questions listed in this RFI.

2. Do submit comments that address the FBI's requirements, assumptions, conditions, or contemplated approaches to this future acquisition.

3. Do submit information and suggestions that may encourage new, different, or innovative approaches that would result in products, solutions, and direct savings to the FBI.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN YOUR RESPONSE:

1. Do not submit proposals or offers.

2. Do not submit past performance information or general descriptions of corporate experience.

3. Do not submit requests to be considered for award or to be notified of a future solicitation.

4. Do not submit requests to be added to a mailing list or distribution list.

5. Do not submit questions or comments not related to this RFI.

6. Do not respond via telephone.

RFI SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Questions shall be emailed to the below listed point of contact. Questions are due by 5:00 PM EST, September 01, 2025.

Submissions to this RFI shall be emailed to the below listed point of contact. Submissions are due by 5:00 PM EST, September 03, 2025.

Contracting Point of Contact: Adelle Bolton Email: albolton@fbi.gov image1.jpg image2.png