Randox Reagents

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE

Authority: Federal Acquisition Regulations 6.302-1, 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1)

The Pretrial Services Agency for DC, Office of Finance and Administration, intends to award a sole source contract for Randox text kits (for Oral Fluid) under authority of FAR 6.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other services will satisfy the PSA's requirement.

This action is for the acquisition of the Randox test kits (EV3977-DOA CST XX; EV-3619-Oral Fluid ArrayI) for the Randox Investigator analytical system. This system is for the detection of drugs of abuse, including Synthetic Cannabinoids and Bath Salt Designer drugs in Urine and Oral Fluid. Synthetic Cannabinoids and Bath Salts pose a serious threat to judicial monitoring and community safety. They present a daunting analytical challenge because they have been difficult to screen. These Synthetic Cannabinoids alone are 4 - 100 times more potent than marijuana and individuals turn to using these herbal mixtures to avoid detection by standard drug test.

The best method for detecting synthetic cannabinoids is liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). However, instrumentation cost can be as high as 500,000 dollars and requires highly skilled scientist. Designing assays that detect synthetic cannabinoids is a rapidly moving target for laboratories. To avoid detection, illicit drug makers constantly change the structure of the synthetic cannabinoids used in the herbal incense market. In addition, because commercially available THC immunoassays do not cross-react with synthetic cannabinoids, laboratories usually develop their own mass spectrometry-based assays.

Randox introduced an ELISA test that uses polyclonal antibodies targeted toward different chemical moieties of the aminoalkylindole cannabinoids. Reported sensitivities for the assays are <1 ng/mL, and preliminary data from the manufacturer shows good cross reactivity with metabolites of several synthetic cannabinoids including emerging synthetic cannabinoids such as UR-144 and XLR-11.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.3 and in accordance with the requirements of FAR 6.301 and 6.303, the justification for the use of the statutory authority cited below is justified by the following facts and rationale.

This technology allows for the detection of newer forms of synthetic cannabinoids and Bath Salts. In particular and uniquely it detects the latest DEA banned Synthetic Cannabinoids UR-144 and XLR-11. No other immunoassay company has this capability as of yet. Additionally, the Randox platform allows for multiple sample types and minimum sample volume for multiple assay analysis from a single aliquot.

NAICS Code: 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (Size standards of employees 500)

This proposed procurement is for services for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(i), Only One Responsible Source and no Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement no later than September 19th, 2014 10: 00 a.m.. EDT. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Point of Contact: Rachel Dobbs, Contract Specialist (Fax: 202-220-5500; e-mail: rachel.dobbs@psa.gov). Only email and faxed responses will be accepted, no telephone calls please.