DFS Sole Source STACS HK

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Department of Forensic Services is procuring a sole source Support and Maintenance Agreement for its Sample Tracking and Control System (STACS) Laboratory Information Management System from the incumbent vendor, STACS DNA, Inc. This procurement (ID: 26-493ISP-FOREN-B-51500) seeks continued annual support and maintenance services for the proprietary STACS-DB Enterprise software that has been operational since 2004. The deliverables include technical support via telephone, fax, and electronic mail with web-based incident tracking for technical issues, available during business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The key objectives are to maintain laboratory operations, preserve accreditation status, ensure compliance with FBI Quality Assurance Standards and ISO requirements, and continue fulfillment of mandated convicted offender DNA testing obligations under Illinois State statute 730 ILCS 5/5-4-3. The hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. via WebEx, with the critical deadline for interested parties to submit written comments or request a public hearing being 4:00 p.m. on March 20, 2026. The overall contract due date is March 25, 2026, and the initial contract term begins March 27, 2026, and ends March 28, 2027, with potential for future renewals.

STACS DNA, Inc. is designated as the sole source vendor as the exclusive manufacturer and proprietor of the STACS-DB Enterprise software, with no authorized resellers or subcontractors permitted to provide licenses or support for the product. The sole source methodology is justified by the specialized nature of the system, the cumulative investment of over $1,389,000 in customized software enhancements tailored specifically to ISP's workflow requirements, and the operational risks associated with discontinuation of support, including potential laboratory shutdown and accreditation jeopardy. The contract is valued at $105,293.55 for the initial one-year term, with pricing analysis demonstrating historical annual increases averaging 2.5 percent in prior years and recent increases of 5 percent attributable to inflation. The procurement will be funded through state appropriated funds, and pricing was negotiated by ISP personnel including Technical Leader and Bureau Chief Tim Tripp and Assistant Laboratory Director Beth Patty with STACS DNA's finance department to secure optimal contract terms. No competitive alternatives or set-aside designations are applicable to this sole source procurement.