DNA Analysis Laboratory Instrumentation Maintenance

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
DNA Analysis Laboratory Instrumentation Maintenance

1.0 RFI Purpose:

This Request for Information (RFI) as identified in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201 (c)(7) is issued solely for market research and planning purposes.  It does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposal, or Request for Quotes.  ATF is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is a law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice (DOJ).  ATF’s mission is to reduce violent crime and to protect the public.  ATF enforces Federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson.  The Office of Laboratory Services provides analytical and advisory services on matters of a scientific nature in support of ATF’s mission.  There are currently two (2) forensic science laboratories within Laboratory Services which include the Forensic Science Laboratory-Atlanta (FSL-A) and the Forensic Science Laboratory-Washington (FSL-W). 

Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.  Those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback concerning their submission.  All submissions will become the property of the Government and will not be returned.  Proprietary information, if any, must be clearly marked on all material(s) submitted.  All information received marked Proprietary will be handled in accordance with 41 USC §§ 2101-2107.  Responding to the RFI is completely voluntary and will not enhance or adversely affect responses to any resulting future solicitation.  There is no competitive advantage gained by any of the respondents to this RFI.  Additionally, the Government will not provide reimbursement for any information that may be submitted in response to this RFI.  Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.  No promise of future business with the Government will result from responding to this RFI.  

The Government is not required to respond to any questions submitted in response to this RFI.  At the Government’s discretion it may schedule demonstrations with vendors as time permits following the close of the RFI response period.   Additionally, Industry is encouraged to advise the Government what other information it needs to better understand its requirements, to reduce the risk contingency built into pricing, and to reduce barriers to competition.

2.0 Requirement:

The objective of this RFI is to obtain submissions that can provide ATF with DNA Analysis Laboratory Instrumentation Maintenance.  ATF is seeking responses for market research purposes only. Interested parties shall provide any RFI feedback, relevant technical capabilities, relevant past performance, and market research pricing.  The vendor should demonstrate the following:

• Vendor must be on site within 48 hours of service call for emergency calls 100% of the time.
• Vendor must be available for online service calls to troubleshoot the instrument problems 100% of the time within government working hours.
• Instruments must be repaired to OEM specifications for operation within 5 days of the service call at least 85% of the time.
• Vendor must provide one preventative maintenance visit annually per instrument listed above.
• All service engineers must be factory authorized to work on Applied Biosystems instrumentation and software, including a certification to work on Class IIIb lasers.  Proof of service engineer factory authorization/certification is required.
• All replacement parts must be certified to manufacturer’s OEM specifications.

Instruments to be covered:

A. 3500xl Genetic Analyzer
SN: 29331-021                       
SN: 29331-031

B. 7500 Real Time PCR System
SN:  2750010311
SN:  2750010328
SN:  2750010514

C. Veriti Thermal Cycler
SN: 2990232011
SN: 2990231995
SN: 2990234649
SN: 2990234660

3.0 Contractor Qualifications.

• The Contractor must be able to demonstrate that they can meet the described requirements in section 2.

• The Contractor must be registered and up to date in the System for Award Management (SAM).
   

4.0 Small Business Considerations:

A decision regarding the small business strategy for this requirement, if it results in an acquisition, has not been made.  That decision will be made, in part, based upon the responses to this RFI.  It is therefore important that companies provide the requested information on its business size and socio-economic status.  Small businesses are advised that FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, would apply wherein at least 50 percent of the work must be performed by the small business prime contractor alone.

5.0 Response Guidelines:

Information provided in response to this RFI must be submitted to Brian Palmer (brian.palmer@atf.gov), Contract Specialist in the form of an electronic document using portable document format (PDF) or Microsoft Word.  The page limit for all responses is not to exceed ten (10) single-sided, 12-font size, 8½ x 11-inch pages, excluding any current product description information.

Respondents should include the following information:

• Organization name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers, website address (if available) and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives.

• Company Information: Business Size and Socio-Economic Status – Provide your company’s business size (small/large) and include all your firm’s NAICS codes in the RFI response.  In addition, indicate your business’ socio-economic status (e.g., HUBZone, Service Disable Veteran Owned Small business, Women-Owned small business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) Program

• Contract Vehicles – The RFI response shall include all current contract vehicles (e.g., GWACs, GSA Multiple Award Schedules).