Automated Liquid Handling System

The Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services, Office of State Procurement, is seeking an Automated Liquid Handling System for the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory's Toxicology section, issued through Solicitation S000000384. This procurement is specifically for a fully automated system capable of handling various biological specimens including whole blood, post-mortem blood, urine, oral fluid, vitreous humor, and synthetic blood. The system must feature an 8-channel liquid handling arm with disposable tip assembly, bar-code reader capability, and the ability to pipette volumes ranging from 0.5 mL to 100 mL, with minimal technician monitoring required. Bids must be submitted through ARBuy (arbuy.arkansas.gov) by January 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, with an anticipated contract start date in February 2025. The contract includes comprehensive deliverables such as system installation, a one-year manufacturer's warranty, six-month preventative maintenance service, ongoing maintenance plans, and a minimum of two days of on-site training. All system deliveries will be made to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock, with pricing to be submitted in U.S. dollars and cents, excluding state/local taxes.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. However, the bid response packet includes sections for minority/women-owned business designation, suggesting potential opportunities for such businesses. The contract allows for an initial one-year term with up to six additional one-year renewal options, creating a maximum potential contract term of seven years. While specific budget ranges are not directly stated, the official bid price sheet provides a template for contractors to input pricing for the Automated Liquid Handling System unit, installation, training, and annual maintenance and support options for 2 to 6 years. Contractors must complete the Contract and Grant Disclosure form, which requires transparency about relationships between contractors/subcontractors and state officials, including disclosure of ownership interests and potential conflicts. The solicitation also mandates that any subcontractors must complete the disclosure form within 10 days of entering into an agreement, with the subcontract dollar amount to be submitted to the state agency.