REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) RAPID DNA SYSTEM \& PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Posted
Nov 9, 2026
Dec 29, 2026
INTRODUCTION Gallatin County is seeking proposals from qualified vendors ("Vendors") to provide a Rapid DNA System and related services, per the specifications listed in Exhibit A attached and incorporated herein. The County seeks to establish a fully operational Rapid DNA capability to support law enforcement and investigative operations. DELIVERY DEADLINE & INSTRUCTIONS DELIVERED NO LATER THAN 3 PM ON December 29, 2026, in a sealed box Or envelope clearly labeled with company name and addressed to: REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - RAPID DNA SYSTEM Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder 311 West Main, Room 203 Bozeman, MT 59715 PROPOSALS SUBMITTED AFTER THE DEADLINE SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED. CONTACT INFORMATION Requests for additional information or clarification: Contact: Drew Ellis - 406-582-2069 - drew.ellis@gallatin.mt.gov QUESTIONS / CLARIFICATIONS All questions must be submitted via email prior to noon on December 8, 2026. Responses will be issued by addendum on the County website. PROPOSAL OPENING Request for Proposals will be opened at Gallatin County Courthouse, Room 203, 311 W. Main Street, Bozeman, MT 59715 at 3 pm on December 29, 2026, or upon reasonable notice to the Vendors. AMENDMENTS TO REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Any interpretation or correction of this RFP will be provided by written addendum posted at the County website for procurement addenda (see instructions above). PROCUREMENT TIMELINE Advertise: November 9th-30th 2026 Bid Question: no later than noon on December 8, 2026 Proposals Due & Opened: 3pm December 29, 2026 PROPOSAL FORM & CONTENTS Submit one (1) signed original and four (4) copies, including the following minimum information: - Cover Letter: Vendor profile, address, contacts - Signed RFP Form: Acknowledgment of requirements - Exhibit A: Detailed description of goods, services, warranties, references - Required certifications, addendum acknowledgement, bond - Exhibit B information - License: Business certificate or professional license - Bid Bond (if required): 10% of proposed contract price SELECTION PROCESS The 2025 Gallatin County Procurement Policy and § 18-4-304, MCA, shall control this request for competitive sealed proposals. A selection committee will evaluate all conforming proposals. Evaluation criteria and weights are provided in the RFP (Technical Compliance 30%; System Performance & Reliability 20%; Cost Proposal 20%; Vendor Experience & Qualifications 15%; Implementation Plan 10%; Innovation & Added Value 5%). Vendors will be accorded fair and equal treatment; committee may request discussions, revisions, interviews, site visits, or negotiate prior to award. Vendor proposals constitute a valid legal offer for 180 days and shall not be withdrawn without County consent. Vendor bears all costs of proposal preparation. MISTAKES, CONTRACT FORM, COUNTY RESERVATION OF RIGHTS, NOTICE OF AWARD The RFP includes standard provisions regarding disclosure of errors, contract form (Gallatin County work & services agreement), County reservations of rights to reject or cancel, and notice of award procedures. Award will be to the responsible and responsive offeror whose proposal best meets the evaluation criteria. EXHIBIT A - SPECIFICATIONS (RAPID DNA SYSTEM) Rapid DNA System and Program Implementation Gallatin County Sheriff's Office Vendors must address each numbered item in Exhibit A in their response. Key points include: - Purpose: Establish a fully integrated Rapid DNA capability to generate actionable STR profiles from qualifying reference and forensic samples in under two hours to support investigations; to supplement accredited laboratory testing and comply with applicable scientific, legal, and evidentiary standards. - Minimum functional requirements: fully automated sample-to-answer workflow; interpreted DNA profile in less than two hours; process reference and qualifying forensic samples (blood, tissue, bone, etc.); process multiple samples in a single run; STR assay that includes the CODIS Core Loci; automated sample identification and tracking; secure and auditable chain-of-custody; secure software with appropriate access controls and encryption; usable by trained non-technical personnel; no routine manual optical alignment/calibration; minimized contamination risk; consumables and components storable at room temperature; vendor-provided implementation planning, installation, operator training, scientific support, warranty coverage, software updates, and ongoing service; support for operational continuity including redeployment capability. - Desired program outcomes and performance measures: reduce time from collection to results; increase qualifying samples evaluated promptly; enable earlier inclusions/exclusions; identify case-to-case links; support violent-crime, sexual-assault, missing-person, and unidentified-remains investigations; improve prioritization of laboratory submissions; establish sustainable procedures and training. Vendors should describe metrics including number/type of samples processed, percentage of runs producing usable profiles, median time from collection to Rapid DNA result, number of investigative associations/exclusions/case links, number of cases where Rapid DNA contributed to decisions, number of trained operators and maintained proficiency, system availability and service response performance. - Vendor qualifications and proposal requirements: demonstrate experience deploying Rapid DNA technology in law enforcement or similar environments; evidence of scientific validity and compliance with forensic standards; ability to train non-technical personnel and provide ongoing service/maintenance/software support; proposals must include detailed system description mapping to minimum requirements, implementation plan with timelines and training, pricing for instruments/consumables/service/licensing/optional features, warranty information, vendor references, and any additional features or benefits. - Evaluation criteria and scoring rubric outlined with weights (total 100%). EXHIBIT B and Contract Terms Exhibit B (form) must be completed and included as page two of the submittal, with acknowledgements, bid bond attachment, contract price, insurance compliance, bond requirements, and agreement to terms and conditions. The RFP includes a sample Agreement for Services and detailed contract terms, insurance, indemnification, records, laws and regulations, bonds, venue, notice, interpretation, and other standard contract provisions. Overall, the RFP requests a turnkey Rapid DNA system and program implementation for Gallatin County Sheriff's Office with defined submission, evaluation, and contractual requirements.
