RFSQ - FIREARMS AND TOOL MARK EXAMINATION AND/OR TRAINING SERVICES

BULLETIN NUMBER 1 REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (RFSQ) FIREARMS AND TOOL MARK EXAMINATION AND/OR TRAINING SERVICES RFSQ NUMBER 554SH INTRODUCTION The County of Los Angeles (County) by and through the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (Department) is seeking qualified Vendors to enter into Master Agreements with the County to provide Firearms and Tool Mark Examination and/or Training Services. These services will be provided to the Department primarily at the Firearms Identification Section of the Department's Scientific Services Bureau in Los Angeles. Qualified Vendor(s) that are selected for a Master Agreement shall be required to assist the Department in examining and solving firearms and/or tool mark cases as either a primary examiner or casework reviewer and/or, if qualified, provide firearms and tool mark examiner training to Department personnel on the techniques and skills necessary to successfully examine firearms and tool mark cases. VENDOR'S MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS Interested and qualified Vendors that meet the Minimum Mandatory Qualifications stated below are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). 1.4.1 Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff must have at least ten (10) years of continuous full time experience in conducting firearms and tool mark examinations at an accredited crime laboratory that provides a full range of firearms and tool mark examination services comparable to the services outlined in Attachment 1 - Statement of Work. Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff's time spent in training will not be considered applicable towards the ten (10) years of experience requirement. Vendor must provide references that verify this experience. 1.4.2 Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff requesting to be considered for the firearms and tool mark training services assignment must also have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in providing instruction to firearms and tool mark examiner trainees in a modular training program, such as a program provided by the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE). The two (2) years of firearms and tool mark examination instructor experience could be part of the ten (10) years of experience required in firearms and tool mark examinations as stated in Sub-paragraph 1.4.1 above. Vendor must provide references that verify this experience. Vendor who is not requesting to be considered for firearms and tool mark training services assignment does not need to meet this requirement. 1.4.3 Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff must be a current and active, full or distinguished member of, the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) and provide proof of membership and copies of certificates of attendance for AFTE conferences to verify this requirement. 1.4.4 Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff must have a history of participation in regular, ongoing professional development, which may include professional conferences, training seminars, study groups, structured coursework, etc. Vendor must provide summary detail and copies of any training certificates. 1.4.5 Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff must have experience testifying in court as an expert in the fields of firearms and tool mark examination. Vendor must provide summary detail of court experience to verify this requirement. 1.4.6 Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff must agree to participate in a test of technical competency in firearms and tool mark examination. The test will be issued and administered by the Department's Scientific Services Bureau prior to the award of a Master Agreement. The technical competency test is a 'pass/fail' test. In order to pass the test of competency, generally accepted scientific methods must be employed, accurate and adequate documentation produced, and appropriate conclusions reached. Vendor must state that Vendor or Vendor's qualified staff agrees to participate in the technical competency test and understands that if V