Laboratory Analysis Services for Fish Bioassay, IFB I-2526-15

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is soliciting bids for comprehensive laboratory analysis services to support aquatic bioassay toxicity determinations through its Environmental Chemistry Laboratory. The contract requires a qualified contractor to provide all personnel, materials, and equipment necessary to perform fish bioassay analyses in accordance with DTSC’s quality standards, including compliance with USEPA SW-846 methods, ELAP accreditation requirements, and strict chain-of-custody protocols. All work must adhere to Exhibit A’s Scope of Work and be approved in writing by the DTSC Contract Manager before payment. Bidders must demonstrate full compliance with minimum qualifications, including accreditation certificates, quality manuals, sample report examples, and technical lead experience, evaluated on a strict pass/fail basis. Failure to meet any single criterion disqualifies a bid. The contract follows a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) award methodology, where price is the deciding factor after technical acceptability is confirmed. Incentives include a 5% price preference for certified California Small Businesses and up to an additional 5% incentive for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, applied to the lowest qualified bid. All bids must be submitted in duplicate hard copies and one electronic copy on a USB drive to DTSC’s Sacramento office by June 2, 2026, with no email or hand delivery accepted. The contractor is required to maintain a compliant accounting system, carry general liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, and professional liability insurance of $2 million, with the State of California named as an additional insured. All insurance certificates must include physical endorsements, not references. The contractor cannot subcontract any portion of the work without prior written approval, nor can they pay brokerage or contingent fees to secure the contract. Compliance with California-specific regulations is mandatory, including adherence to the Darfur Contracting Act, state civil rights laws, ADA and Section 508 accessibility standards, and prompt payment obligations under Government Code Chapter 4.5. The contractor must also disclose any use of generative artificial intelligence and comply with Executive Order N-6-22 banning operations in Russia. Proposals must include completed certification forms, proof of business status, and detailed lab data reports, with all sample labels required to be legible in digital photographs. Invoices must be submitted in duplicate—hard copy on company letterhead and PDF electronic copy—to DTSC’s Accounts Payable office in Sacramento. The anticipated contract start date is June 17, 2026,