DFS-Sole Source NIBIN - IBIS -SLB

This is a sole source procurement by the Illinois State Police (ISP) for a computerized system to acquire and store images of unidentified cartridge cases and test shots from recovered firearms. The system, known as the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS), is manufactured exclusively by Forensic Technology, Inc. and is the only technology approved for use on the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). The ISP requires the IBIS equipment to meet increased demand and legislative requirements for submitting and entering ballistic evidence into NIBIN within 2 business days. The contract, with a total value of $422,521, includes the NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition, Analysis & Triage Package, the NIBIN Cartridge Cases Analysis Package, shipping, installation, and 5 years of warranty coverage. A public hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2021 to receive input on the sole source procurement, with a deadline of December 3, 2021 for interested parties to submit written comments or request a public hearing.

This is a sole source procurement with no competitive bidding process, as IBIS is the only technology approved for use on the NIBIN network. Forensic Technology, Inc. is the only qualified vendor and the incumbent provider of this specialized equipment. The pricing has been determined by the ISP to be fair and reasonable given the patented nature of the IBIS technology and the critical need for the equipment to comply with legislative requirements and provide timely investigative support to law enforcement agencies. There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can provide comments on the sole source award.