MD27-101 Firearms and Toolmark Examination Training Program

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing is requesting statements of qualifications for a Firearms and Toolmark Examination Training Program under RFSQ MD27-101, with submissions due September 23, 2026. This is a professional services procurement under Utah Procurement Code 63G-6a Part 15; the highest-ranked vendor will be selected to negotiate a contract at fair-and-reasonable compensation, with fallback negotiation authority extending to subsequent-ranked vendors if the top vendor and the State cannot agree on terms.

The Utah Bureau of Forensic Services seeks a qualified forensic firearm and toolmark examiner to design and deliver a blended-curriculum training program modeled on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives National Firearms Examiner Academy. The program will train up to five analysts — two new examiners requiring complete firearms and toolmarks training, one requiring specialized toolmark training, and up to two additional analysts as capacity permits — at the UBFS Main Laboratory in Taylorsville, Utah. Training must commence by December 31, 2026 and complete within 12 months of start. Instruction combines pre-recorded webinars, live online classroom sessions, literature readings, written assignments, written tests, on-site mentoring, and mock court testimonies. The vendor must be a certified forensic firearm and toolmark examiner with documented laboratory casework experience and must submit a detailed course outline specifying ten core subject areas — including history of firearms and ammunition, principles of identification, tool machining fundamentals, AFTE Theory of Identification, machine-based and validation studies, and cognitive bias protection — prior to instruction. Trainees will have at least 32 hours per week allocated to training, excluding state holidays and leave.

The estimated project budget is approximately $180,000 over a five-year contract term. Quoted pricing must remain firm for one year and be all-inclusive of instruction, materials, travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals. Payment is structured in three milestones: 50% upon kickoff and course outline approval, 25% upon completion of the six-month performance milestone, and 25% upon completion of all modules, successful mock court evaluations, and certificate issuance.

Evaluation criteria are weighted: Curriculum Equivalence (40%), Delivery Methods (15%), Communication and Reporting (15%), Performance Remediation (15%), and Competency Verification (15%). Mandatory requirements include Scope of Work compliance, instructor qualifications, training capacity, project timeline adherence, and required curriculum topics. Vendors must not include pricing in qualification submissions.