4.4.1. Instruments The contract will state a plan for purchasing forensic DNA analysis instrumentation at a percentage off of list price from the awarded vendor(s). The vendor(s) shall be an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or OEM authorized dealer of forensic laboratory instrumentation that is developmentally validated for the purposes of forensic STR DNA analysis in a Human Identification laboratory. This instrumentation should include DNA extraction robots, robotic liquid handlers, real-time PCR instruments, thermal cyclers, and capillary electrophoresis instruments. 4.4.2. Software The contract will state a plan for purchasing forensic DNA analysis software at a percentage off of list price from the awarded vendor(s). The vendor(s) shall be an OEM or authorized OEM provider of forensic DNA analysis software for the collection and interpretation of data that is compatible with the instruments currently in use (Applied Biosystems Real-Time PCR Instruments and Applied Biosystems Genetic Analyzers) and/or equivalent for use with any applicable new DNA analysis instrumentation purchased. The software should be developmentally validated for forensic use and capable of analyzing STR and YSTR data from multiplex STR amplification kits with up to eight dyes. 4.4.3. Reagents and Consumables The contract will include the purchase of DNA analysis reagents and consumables for use on the KBI Laboratory’s DNA analysis instruments at a percentage off of list price from the awarded vendors. This includes STR amplification kits, human DNA quantitation kits, DNA extraction kits, required chemicals to support forensic DNA analysis, and user serviceable instrument parts. DNA analysis kits must be developmentally validated and meet standards of general acceptance for forensic use. 4.4.4. Maintenance Services The vendor(s) shall be an OEM or authorized OEM service provider for the instrumentation used in the KBI Biology Laboratories for DNA analysis. Service personnel must be specially trained to perform maintenance on Applied Biosystems (AB) instruments as the KBI Biology Laboratory employs these instruments in forensic DNA analysis. The current instrument platforms in use are: AB SeqStudio, AB3500, AB7500, AB QuantStudio, AB Proflex, AB Veriti, AB Veriti Pro, and AutoMate Express. The company must demonstrate that their actions do not void any performance guarantees from the OEM. It is solely Laboratory responsibility to determine OEM equivalent parts and materials if offered. The contract will include the purchase of maintenance agreements for the KBI Laboratory’s DNA analysis instruments in their entirety including any essential hardware, firmware, or software updates. This contract will also allow the purchase of additional maintenance plans on other instrumentation serviced by the awarded vendors and developmentally validated for the purposes of human identification in the event that the KBI Biology Section purchases additional instruments or upgrades of a current instrument platform. The vendors shall provide one PM visit for each of the instrument systems annually during the contract period. All parts, labor and travel shall be included in the PM visit cost.
