Histology Lab Services

Brevard County Purchasing Services, on behalf of the County's Medical Examiner's Office, is soliciting a Request for Qualifications (RFQ-7-26-07) to procure histology laboratory services for the analysis of postmortem biological specimens. The contractor shall provide tissue embedding, cutting, staining, and analysis services, including routine hematoxylin and eosin stains and special stains for acid-fast bacilli, fungi, Gram stain, Wright-Giemsa stain, reticulum stain, and Masson's trichrome stain. Key deliverables include completed histological reports submitted within four working days of specimen receipt, with examination beginning within forty-eight hours; courier delivery of stained slides; chain of custody documentation; and availability for expert consultation and court testimony. Required qualifications include Florida state certification, College of American Pathologists accreditation for both clinical and microbiology laboratory services, active participation in a proficiency testing program, and professional personnel holding certifications such as HT(ASCP) or HTL(ASCP). The contractor must maintain minimum insurance coverage of $1,000,000 general liability, $1,000,000 professional liability, $2,000,000 auto liability, and $5,000,000 cyber liability, along with workers' compensation as required by Florida law. Evaluation criteria, totaling 100 points, will assess organizational profile, operations description, facilities, related experience, and certifications/accreditations. The question deadline is March 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with sealed proposals due on April 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM, submitted to Brevard County Purchasing Services, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C, 3rd Floor, Suite C-303, Viera, Florida 32940, requiring three hard copies and one electronic copy on a USB flash drive.

The RFQ does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions on organization types eligible to respond. The County is exempt from federal excise taxes and sales taxes. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified in the solicitation documents. The resulting contract shall be effective for five years from the date of award, with potential pricing adjustments permitted only after twelve months upon written justification submitted to the Purchasing Manager. Specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the RFQ; contractors must submit proposals with their proposed pricing, which shall remain firm for ninety days from the proposal opening. The contractor must establish and maintain a proficiency testing program, provide specimen kits, store paraffin blocks at appropriate temperatures for up to three months, maintain accession records and quality control data for five years post-contract termination, and demonstrate availability for consultation Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding County holidays.