Acquisiton of a Liquid Chromatograph-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (LC-QQQ) for the Sheriff's Office Crime Lab

Brazoria County, Texas, is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposal #26-48 for the acquisition, delivery, installation, training, and integration of a complete Liquid Chromatograph-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (LC-QQQ) system for the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory. The procurement requires vendors to provide a comprehensive analytical system including liquid chromatography components with autosampler and column oven capabilities, a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization functionality, ISO 17025-compatible software with quantitation and calibration curve capabilities, computer workstations meeting manufacturer specifications, a nitrogen generator, and an uninterruptible power supply. Deliverables include system delivery and installation at the crime laboratory, Installation Qualification and Operational Qualification procedures, comprehensive on-site operational training covering instrument operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and method development, and submission of all necessary documentation including manuals and maintenance schedules. Qualified vendors must demonstrate technical compliance with all specifications, relevant experience and qualifications with similar government contracts (minimum five references required), comprehensive training policies and procedures, and availability of warranty and extended service agreement options. The evaluation criteria allocate 25 points for technical compliance, 20 points for price, 15 points for experience and qualifications, 20 points for training, 10 points for warranty and service support, and 10 points for delivery timeline, with potential bonus scoring up to 15 additional points based on interview performance. Questions must be submitted by April 27, 2026, with sealed proposals due by 11:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with proposal opening conducted via Zoom. The system must be fully installed and invoiced by August 25, 2026, with contract approval anticipated by the Commissioners Court on June 9, 2026.

The procurement does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to particular enterprise categories, meaning all qualified vendors meeting the stated requirements are eligible to respond. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents. The system must integrate with existing laboratory infrastructure at the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory, with vendors responsible for coordinating all installation and integration activities. All prices must be firm and FOB Destination with full freight allowance, with Brazoria County bearing no additional transportation charges. The estimated project budget is $300,000, funded through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program from the United States Department of Justice, a federal funding source subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage standards, debarment verification through SAM.gov, equal employment opportunity provisions, and compliance with the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment. Award will be made to the responsible respondent whose proposal provides the lowest and best evaluated offer considering price and all other evaluation factors. Vendors must provide a minimum one-year full warranty covering parts and labor, with pricing required for extended service agreement options covering an additional two years.