FORENSIC RADIOBIOASSAY AND BIODOSIMETRY

FORENSIC RADIOBIOASSAY AND BIODOSIMETRY The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issues this Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research for information and planning purposes to determine the existing market capability of businesses to provide services related to forensic radiobioassay and biodosimetry. The Government intends to award a contract under a separate solicitation, but with this notice wants to obtain capabilities, delivery, or other market information for planning purposes. All interested, capable, and responsible are encouraged to submit a response to this notice. Introduction The SRAU plans to establish working relationships and agreements with entities having established capabilities, expertise, and experience performing radiobioassay and biodosimetry of biological samples to include, but not limited to: urine, feces, blood, and nasal swabs. If not already federally funded to perform such services through existing relationships (i.e., existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or by contract), the SRAU may seek to establish a MOA or an appropriate financial/contractual arrangement to obtain such services, as requested by the SRAU on behalf of the FBI. Samples would be submitted for testing as items of evidence in accordance with investigative needs; the FBI would not submit samples for public health and safety or occupational health and safety purposes. Background The mission of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Laboratory Division (LD), Scientific Response and Analysis Unit (SRAU) is to "... provide scientific, technical and forensic support to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal and intelligence investigations involving the actual or threatened use of any hazardous material, including weapons of mass destruction. This is accomplished by developing, maintaining, and executing the FBI's ability to evaluate, collect, and analyze chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials (CBRN), and related evidence, and by assessing investigative information or intelligence related to CBRN" (SRAU Mission Statement). The SRAU has established relationships with various external entities for the analysis of CBRN evidence that may be relevant to acts of terrorism, criminal activity, intelligence activities or other nefarious scenarios. Concept of Operation In the event of a criminal action or terrorist event involving radioactive and/or nuclear materials, it is likely that individuals will have been exposed to ionizing radiation and potentially received an uptake of radioactive/nuclear material. To further support these types of investigations, the SRAU needs to establish a process and method of collecting and analyzing samples for radiobioassay and biodosimetry for evidentiary purposes. This capability would enable the SRAU to provide information that has the potential to correlate an individual's proximity to material. Requirements The government requests that the contractor or contractors provide information on all or a portion of services related to radiobioassay and/or biodosimetry of samples for forensic applications. The entity performing radiobioassay and/or biodosimetry analysis for the government would be required to: A. Process samples at the direction of the assigned SRAU Forensic Examiner in accordance with FBI policies for the shipping, transport, storage, handling, and examination of evidence, non-disclosure of sensitive information, and other related FBI policies and procedures as required by the FBI; B. Have a quality assurance program equivalent to the FBI Laboratory; C. Provide written reports cataloging the samples received, samples tested, and results and interpretations of tests. Personnel and technicians must be available to provide court testimony related to information such as his/her training and expertise, the analysis performed, and results obtained; D. Have facilities, equipment, and internal policies and procedures for activities such as the safe handling, transport, shipping, and storage of biological samples containing radioactive materials (to include byproduct materials, actinides, and special nuclear materials), in accordance with any and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; and E. Fulfill other requirements deemed necessary by the FBI. Response All questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted by email to Contract Specialist Jerry Varnell at Jdvarnell@fbi.gov. THIS NOTICE IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposals, a Solicitation, a Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained in this announcement. This request is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this announcement. DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.202(e), responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the review. HOW TO RESPOND: Firms that wish to respond to this RFI shall provide the following information: (1) A brief summary of the responder's ideas and suggested improvements being offered in response to this RFI; (2) A statement indicating an interest and the capability to provide the services as described; (3) A technical approach to perform the required services described above; and (4) A rough order of magnitude of the cost for radiobioassay and/or biodosimetry services as described in the RFI. Description of Information Requested All vendors with an appropriate product or products are invited to submit a Capability Statement and contact information. The Capability Statement should discuss the services' capabilities as they relate to the potential requirements. Vendors with a GSA schedule should provide the contract number, schedule and SIN if able to provide the services on schedule. In your response please identify solutions that require custom design and those that can be met with commercial off-the-shelf products (COTS). Please include product names and identifying numbers of COTS products. Responses shall be limited to no more than 20 pages with 12 point font, not including cover letter, cover page, and table of contents. Reponses shall also include company name and business size (i.e., 8(a), HUBZONE, WOSB, Veteran Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, etc.), technical and administrative points of contacts, telephone numbers, and email addresses with your inquiry. Please submit responses via email in Microsoft Office Format by 08:00 AM eastern time, October 31, 2017 to Jerry Varnell at jdvarnell@fbi.gov. NOTE: Responses to this announcement will not be returned, nor will there be any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. However, information obtained as a result of this announcement may be reflected in the subsequent solicitation, and the FBI may contact one or more respondents for clarifications and to enhance the Government's understanding. This announcement is Government market research, and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses.