RFQ 25-128 - Applied Biosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzers HID or equivalent

The California Department of Justice issued Request for Quotation 25-128 on April 17, 2026, for the procurement of two complete Applied Biosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzer HID systems or equivalent equipment for human identification analysis. The solicitation requires bidders to submit complete pricing for all line items covering two separate locations: 155 David Love Place in Goleta, California, and 7425 Mission Boulevard in Riverside, California. Each location requires a full AB 3500 Genetic Analyzer system including capillary electrophoresis instrument, Dell Workstation, monitor, data collection software, human identification analysis reagents and consumables, one-year limited warranty with parts and labor coverage, installation kits, trade-in credits for existing equipment, and one year of post-warranty planned maintenance. All equipment must be new and in current production, with used, shopworn, demonstrator, prototype, or discontinued models explicitly prohibited. The contract term runs from June 22, 2026, to June 21, 2028, with delivery required by June 22, 2026. Bidders must submit questions by April 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM PDT and complete responses on the State's Attachment A Cost Worksheet form by May 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM PDT. Award will be made to the lowest-cost responsive and responsible bidder whose response complies with all RFQ requirements, followed by a five business day protest period. Pricing must be provided on an F.O.B. Destination basis with applicable sales tax of 9.25 percent for Goleta and 7.75 percent for Riverside, and invoices are due within 45 days of service completion or acceptance.

The solicitation includes incentives for California-certified Small Business, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), and Target Area Contract Preference Act (TACPA) participation, though the DVBE participation requirement was waived for this particular procurement. Bidders must complete all required certifications and documentation, including Bidder Declarations, Payee Data Records (STD 204), California Secretary of State certificates, seller's permits, recycled content certifications under the State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign, and Commercially Useful Function compliance forms where applicable. The contractor must assign only factory-trained and certified personnel to service and maintain equipment, ensure all staff are located within the United States, and provide one planned preventative maintenance visit per year during normal DOJ business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time). No specific budget range is publicly disclosed in the solicitation; however, the contract includes contingencies such as a potential $10,000 withhold under Military and Veterans Code sections 999.5 and 999.7 if DVBE certification requirements apply, and the State reserves the right to cancel or amend the contract if the Budget Act fails to appropriate sufficient funds. The procurement analyst is Zua Cha, reachable at DOJITPurchase@doj.ca.gov or 916-210-5278.