Request for Information: Forensic Human Performance Toxicology Services

This is a Request for Information (RFI); it is not a request for pricing, commitment to purchase, or an obligation to provide products or services.
This is RFI / Notice of Intent to Designate Sole Source/Sole Brand is intended to ascertain whether the commodity or service specified below is currently available from multiple providers/brands. The following products or services are thought to be available only from only a single source/brand.
Commodity/Service Required: Broward County's Office of the Medical Examiner and Trauma Services is seeking a complex testing analytical toxicology laboratory to provide Forensic Human Performance Toxicology services in support of local law enforcement agencies. The laboratory will be required to accept biological specimens (e.g., blood, serum, urine) from DUI (driving under the influence) and DFC (drug facilitated crime) cases directly from law enforcement officers, maintain chain of custody, and provide reliable, robust, and reproducible analytical results utilizing the most current methodologies and instrumentation available as well as expert consultation, testimony, and toxicological interpretation services all within the practice standards established by and for the Florida District 17 Judiciary; essentially functioning as part of the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system. The designated laboratory must be accredited to provide the necessary scope of services, must establish its familiarity with the detection, reporting, pharmacological, and behavioral effects related to the wide array of licit and illicit drugs commonly used, misused, overused, and abused within Broward County, and must comply with the accepted standards of forensic human performance toxicology practice related to criminal investigations such as driving under the influence, sexual assault, and other drug facilitated crime cases.
Determination of Other Interested Vendors The intent of this notice is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors that meet or exceed the specification and requirements for the products or services described in this notice. Any such vendor must submit the following information:
1. The name of the interested party; and
2. A detailed explanation consisting of documentation showing that there are other qualified sources for the identified services herein.
If you are capable of meeting or exceeding the specification requirements for this product or equal, Vendors should submit a response electronically through Periscope S2G. Vendor should provide product literature and any supporting information in Periscope S2G to assist in determining if the product or service is comparable. Prospective Vendors will be considered only if they provide documentation demonstrating that they are capable of meeting or exceeding the specification requirements stated herein.
Prospective Vendors are requested to provide information regarding their ability to supply the commodities or contractual services described or written explanation or other documentation contesting the proposed designation as a Sole Source/Sole Brand. Prospective Vendors will be considered only if they provide documentation demonstrating that they are capable of meeting or exceeding the specification requirements stated herein.
All Vendor responses will be evaluated by the Director of Purchasing who shall have sole authority in deciding what is comparable or establishing the approved equal status of the commodity or service offered by the vendor. The Director of Purchasing shall consider such submittals and notify all submitting vendors of the decision whether to designate as a Sole Source/Brand, which decision shall not be subject to objection, protest, or appeal.
Questions and Answers: The County provides a specified time for Vendors to ask questions and seek clarification regarding the requirements of this RFI. All questions or clarification inquiries must be submitted through Periscope S2G by the date and time referenced in this RFI document. The County will respond to all questions via Periscope S2G.