DNA Analysis Services

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) within the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Justice Cabinet is issuing Request for Proposal (RFP) 520-2600000168 to procure outsourced Forensic Biology and DNA Analysis Services for Elliott County and statewide operations. The solicitation seeks qualified forensic laboratories to provide comprehensive services including serological analysis, Y-Screening analysis, standard DNA analysis, Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (Y-STR) analysis, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, forensic genetic genealogical (FGG) analysis, forensic genetic genealogical searching (FGGS), and forensic genetic genealogical phenotyping (FGGP). Deliverables include initial analysis completion within ninety (90) days of sample submission and formal written reports within the same timeframe, with services to be performed in-house, in an accredited facility, or by the Commonwealth's designee in compliance with the United States Department of Justice Interim Policy. Laboratories must be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for DNA extraction and demonstrate compliance with FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories; they must also provide court testimony and expert witness services at no additional cost to KSP, assume all consultation and travel expenses for criminal trial testimony in Kentucky, and maintain strict confidentiality of case records. The evaluation criteria allocate 600 points to technical proposals emphasizing experience, qualifications, analyst proficiency testing, validated methods, peer-reviewed publications, and turn-around time; 350 points to cost proposals; and up to 50 points for oral demonstrations if required, for a maximum of 1,000 points. The RFP was originally issued December 22, 2025, with initial proposals due January 14, 2026, extended to January 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time; Addendum #1 was issued January 6, 2026, modifying the cost proposal form and providing vendor question responses. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service System with technical and cost proposals submitted separately under sealed cover.

The solicitation permits multiple contract awards, allowing KSP to utilize different laboratories based on individual case needs, and laboratories are not required to bid on all analysis services. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organization types are noted in the procurement documents provided. The anticipated contract term runs from February 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, with renewal options for up to two additional two-year periods subject to approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee. Funding sources include the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) grant program, targeting processing of at least thirty (30) FGG/FGGS cases and ten (10) mtDNA remains cases with twenty (20) mtDNA family reference samples, and the DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) grant program targeting one hundred (100) Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits (SAECKs), along with general state funds as applicable. Specific budget or award values are not disclosed in the available documentation; pricing is to be submitted on a per-test basis for each service offered, with vendors permitted to propose comprehensive bundled services or itemized pricing structures. The Commonwealth reserves the right to reject all proposals and negotiate fair and reasonable compensation based on submitted pricing.