SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- Combined Trace and Microbiological Evidence Collector and Separator
- Notice Date
- 5/15/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Quantico Contracts Unit, FBI Engineering Research Facility, FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia, 22135
- ZIP Code
- 22135
- Solicitation Number
- 09-LDQ002021
- Archive Date
- 6/11/2009
- Point of Contact
- Lynda M. Theisen, Fax: 703-632-8480
- E-Mail Address
-
Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov
(Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation issues this sources sought notice to conduct market research for information and planning purposes to determine the existing market capability of potential small businesses (including certified 8(a), Small Disadvantaged, and HUBZone firms; veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and women-owned small businesses) capable of providing a combined trace and microbiological evidence collector and separator. 1. BACKGROUND Trace evidence has traditionally been collected from surfaces by vacuum onto the surface of filters. Vacuum collection has also been demonstrated to be effective for microbes can be collected from a large surface area of any texture. The Hazardous Materials Response unit (HMRU) uses the 3M Trace Evidence Vacuum Filter for microbiological collection. However, there are several limitations associated with the use of the filter. Traditional forensic methods for trace evidence collection and microbiological sampling methods are rarely compatible. For example, typical microbiological sampling methods use a swab or wipe tends to obliterate latent fingerprints on the surface. Cutting of vacuum filters and vigorous physical handling of the pieces for microbial evidence collection can result in loss of trace evidence (e.g., hairs and fibers). Examination of the filters for trace evidence prior to extraction of the microbes could be hazardous because the microbes may be pathogenic. In addition, even if trace evidence is found on the filter, the significance of the finding is relevant only after it has been shown that a pathogen has also been trapped by the device. The 3M Trace Evidence Filters also have physical limitations. For example, in dirty environments, the filters become clogged rapidly. Such filters buckle, creating a pathway for dangerous microbes to pass into the vacuum source and possibly into the environment. Clogging limits the amount of evidence that can be collected as well as the area that can be probed. Thus, the field operator, who may be dressed in full personal protective equipment, must change filters often in dirty environments. This process requires more time be spent in a potentially hostile environment and under unpleasantly high body temperatures associated with wearing the PPE. The HMRU requires a device designed to permit simultaneous trace evidence collection and microbiological sampling into an easily-handled collection tube and with a greater capacity than filter devices. A possible solution is to design a device based on the use of two particle collection technologies placed in series. The device would separate particles larger than about 10 microns in a dry collection cup in a cyclonic separator and smaller, microbe-sized particles in a small volume of liquid in a liquid impinger. 2. OBJECTIVE To enhance the forensic response capability for bioterrorism by providing a tool for the simultaneous collection and separation of trace evidence (e.g., hairs and fibers) and microbial evidence, processes that are usually mutually exclusive. 3.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Design of Cyclone Separator/Collector, Module A 3.1.1 The separator shall separate dense particles in a rotating air stream into a collection cup from the smaller particles in the air stream. 3.1.2 The larger particles shall be removed from the air stream with greater efficiency than the smaller particles. 3.1.3 The cyclone separator/collector shall be engineered to have a 5 to 10 micron particle size cutoff so particles larger than 5 to 10 microns are retained in the collection cup. 3.2 Design of Liquid Impinger, Module B 3.2.1 The liquid impinger shall have a critical orifice capable of producing a high air velocity for trapping particles larger than a fraction of a micron in size. 3.2.2 The liquid impinger module shall be separable from the rest of the device for transport to an appropriate analytical laboratory. 3.2.3 The impinger body shall be exchangeable in the hot-zone. 3.2.3.1 An attempt shall be made to adapt commercial, 50-mL conical tubes as the impinger body. 3.2.4 The device shall be sealable to prevent escape of dangerous pathogens. 3.2.5 The flow rate of the air into the impinger shall be adjustable. 3.3 Design of the Vacuum Source 3.3.1 Preferably a commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) devise shall be used. 3.3.2 The vacuum device shall be handheld or capable of attachment to a belt of a person in PPE gear. 3.3.3 The vacuum provide shall be strong throughout the system to permit collection of particles from surfaces. 3.3.4 A vacuum hose shall be provided that can be attached to the inlet of the cyclone separator/collector. 3.3.5 A collection tip shall be provided as the accessory for collection of the sample. 3.3.5.1 The collection tip shall be attachable to the inlet vacuum hose. 3.3.5.2 The collection tip shall be shaped for maximal collection efficiency from surfaces. 3.3.5.3 The collection tip shall be provided with a protective cap. 3.4 Design of the Sampling Modules 3.4.1 The sampling modules shall be capable of being wrapped and sterilized. 3.4.2 The sampling modules must be easily attached and detached to the vacuum source. 3.4.3 The sampling modules shall be watertight when sealed. 3.5 Collection Efficiency of the Device 3.5.1 The device shall not be designed for maximum removal and collection of microbes from a given surface. 3.5.2 The device shall be designed to provide a high likelihood of locating microbes within a given area 3.6 Lifetime of the Device 3.6.1 The device shall be constructed for a sample collection during an entire operation in a single hot-zone. 3.6.2 The device shall be constructed of disposable materials. 3.6.2.1 The material shall be selected to reduce static 3.7 Configuration of the Device 3.7.1 The liquid impinger shall be placed downstream from the cyclone separator/collector to collect the smaller particles remaining in the air stream. 3.7.1.1 A vacuum tube shall connect the outlet of the cyclone collector with the inlet of the liquid impinger. 3.7.1.2 The inlet and outlet tubing of the liquid impinger shall be fitted with quick-disconnect tube coupling equipped with shut-off valves. 3.7.2 The outlet air of the liquid impinger shall pass through an in-line HEPA filter. 3.7.3 The device shall be configured to permit easy manipulation that facilitates maximal collection efficiency. 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. Responses to this announcement will not be returned, nor will there be any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. HOW TO RESPOND : The Government would like to know what firms can provide all the services for this contemplated requirement by identifying themselves and responding to this notice. The Government requests the following information: 1) Company name and business size (i.e., 8(a), HUBZONE, WOSB, Veteran Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, etc.). 2) Provide evidence to show that your company can provide the requested services (i.e. technical ability, personnel, experience). Do not exceed 10 pages. All submissions shall be unclassified. 3) Address whether your company has a GSA Schedule and if they are capable of providing these services on schedule. If able to provide the services on schedule, what schedule and SIN. 4) Any other comments, concerns, and/or questions relating to the statement of work for a combined trace and microbiological evidence collector and separator. **PLEASE NOTE: INTERESTED PARTIES SHALL NOT CONTACT TECHNICAL PERSONNEL ABOUT THIS NOTICE. Please submit your responses to this notice via email to Lynda M. Theisen at Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov. The due date for responses is on or before May 27, 2008 by 12:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time. No collect calls will be accepted. No telephone request or written requests for the market survey will be accepted. All responses to this notice may be submitted by e-mail to: Lynda.Theisen@ic.fbi.gov ; by fax to: 703-632-8480 (attn: Lynda M. Theisen) or mailed to the FBI Laboratory, Attn: Lynda M. Theisen Contracting Officer, 2501 Investigation Parkway, Quantico, VA 22135. Please note: All contractors doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. The website for registration is www.ccr.gov.
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