RFQ 25-221 Hamilton STARlet laboratory instrument

The California Department of Justice is requesting quotations for a Hamilton Robotics STARlet laboratory instrument with installation, training, and service, with responses due October 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. This procurement is limited to Hamilton Robotics brand products only — sole-source specification that bars competing manufacturers.

The scope includes one new STARlet base chassis with autoload barcode scanner, modular arms, pipette channels, Venus 6.3.2 software, sample and tip management carriers and modules, heating and shaking equipment, and reagent reservoirs. Delivery must occur within 30 days of purchase order receipt to the Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory at 1001 West Cutting Boulevard, Richmond, California. The contractor must provide four-person crew delivery with unpacking and debris removal, Hamilton Service Installation with IQ/OQ verification, method programming and operator training by an Application Specialist, and a one-year warranty. All equipment must be new and in current production; used, demonstrator, prototype, or discontinued models are unacceptable. All contractor staff, including subcontractors, must be located within the United States.

The contract term spans two years from installation date, encompassing the initial 12-month warranty, one six-month preventive maintenance check, and one additional 12 months of maintenance coverage. Annual preventive maintenance includes priority dispatch for contract customers, 24-hour target response time for down instruments, guaranteed 48-hour response time, four-hour guaranteed call-back time, and all parts, travel, and labor covered.

Pricing must be submitted on the State's Attachment A Cost Worksheet with all line items quoted; partial quotes will not be accepted. Responses must comply with F.O.B. Destination terms with 9.75% California sales tax applied. Award will be made to the lowest-cost responsible and responsive bidder. Small business preferences of 5% are available for non-small businesses committing to 25% California certified small business subcontractor participation. DVBE incentives apply, though DVBE participation is not required. Notice of Intent to Award is scheduled for October 23, 2026, with contract award targeted for November 2, 2026.